Mile High Report
Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are in a position they’re unaccustomed to being in.
The Chiefs are in third place in the AFC West at 5-4 and likely need to win on Sunday to keep their streak of division titles alive. Kansas City has won the AFC West nine straight times.
The good news for Patrick Mahomes and Co. is they’re coming off their bye. And when this team’s back is against the wall, it finds a way. FanDuel Sportsbook likes the Chiefs’ chances on Sunday. KC is a -3.5-point road favorite over the Denver Broncos. The total sits at over/under 44.5 points, with a lean towards the under at -115.
So just how big is this game for the Chiefs against the division-leading and 8-2 Broncos?
We go “behind enemy lines” to get a feel for the Chiefs heading into Sunday’s game with Maurice Elston from Arrowhead Pride to preview Sunday’s game.
Maurice: Overall, Chiefs fans remain optimistic — but that optimism is hanging by a thread. Sitting at 5-4 and third in the AFC West is extremely unusual in the Patrick Mahomes era, yet most fans still believe this team can flip the switch, make the playoffs, and even compete for another Super Bowl. However, if they drop this game, that confidence will evaporate quickly, and panic will set in.
Maurice: This is a massive game for Kansas City. A loss essentially ends any realistic shot at winning the division, and it would also put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Their margin for error would shrink dramatically.
The biggest area the Chiefs must improve is consistency. Before last week, they had played three straight strong games, then suddenly looked like a team struggling in multiple phases again. If we narrow it down to one unit, the defensive line stands out — generating pressure with just the front four has been an issue all season. Without it, the secondary has to play near-perfect football to compensate.
Maurice: Kansas City needs to start fast. Denver has shown an ability to rally late, but if the Chiefs jump out to a 10–14 point lead, it changes the entire flow of the game. Offensively, they should lean back into what worked during their winning stretch: more under-center looks, heavier personnel, a balanced run game, and play-action. That approach slows Denver’s pass rush and opens up opportunities for deep shots.
Defensively, Kansas City needs to pressure Bo Nix without losing discipline. Winning early downs, forcing third-and-longs, and disguising coverages will be key.
