Chiefs vs. Broncos 2021 NFL Week 18 Odds, Preview & Pick

By Carlos Chacon • January 4, 2022

The Kansas City Chiefs still have an outside shot at the AFC’s top playoff seed as they kick off Week 18 of the NFL season in Denver on Saturday afternoon. The Broncos have nothing to play for but pride.

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and odds for Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. This time, we look at the pivotal NFC South clash between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest NFL odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions.

Chiefs vs. Broncos Information

"As badly as it hurts, we have to learn from this one and turn the page. We still have a lot of football [left], and we need to have confidence moving forward." ?
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 3, 2022

When: Saturday, January 8, 2022, 4:30 PM ET
Where: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
TV: ESPN
Radio: SiriusXM
Live Stream: NFL Network, NFL League Pass
NFL Odds: TBA

Why Bet on the Kansas City Chiefs?

Kansas City already has clinched its sixth straight AFC West title and now it’s just a matter of determining its seeding. The Chiefs would only earn the No. 1 seed with a victory and a Tennessee loss at Houston on Sunday, and that’s pretty unlikely. The Chiefs’ 34-31 loss to the Bengals in Week 17 made K.C. fall to the No. 2 seed, while the Titans moved up to the No. 1 spot. The Titans hold a tiebreaker over the Chiefs thanks to their Week 7 win against them. If the AFC postseason started today, the Chiefs (holding the second seed) would play the seventh-seeded Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium.

In Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati, the Chiefs played without top running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire due to a shoulder injury. He may return this week. In his place, Darrel Williams racked up 107 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against Cincinnati. The veteran tailback has a career-most eight scores this season and is now only 37 yards shy of 1,000 scrimmage yards for the year.

Patrick Mahomes completed 26-of-35 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Mahomes appeared to be on his way to a massive game in the first half. Following an opening punt, Mahomes led four consecutive touchdown drives including two he finished himself — one a 29-yard strike to Demarcus Robinson and another a short throw to Travis Kelce. Mahomes managed to make some nice plays after the break but the offense stalled aside from a game-tying field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

The 2018 NFL MVP currently ranks third in the league in passing touchdowns (35) and sixth in passing yards (4,569) with one more game to go. Additionally, Mahomes is just the fourth player in league history to tally at least three seasons with 4,500+ passing yards and 35+ passing touchdowns, joining Tom Brady (5), Drew Brees (4) and Peyton Manning (4). Remarkably, Mahomes has accomplished that feat three times in just four years as a starter.

Offensive tackle Lucas Niang suffered a torn patellar tendon in the loss. Niang was only playing because starting Orlando Brown suffered a calf injury in pre-game warmups. Brown’s injury isn’t serious.

Why Bet on the Denver Broncos?

Denver was eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday’s 34-13 loss at the Chargers playing without receivers Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick and pass-rusher Bradley Chubb in protocols. Backup QB Drew Lock completed 18-of-25 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. He hasn’t thrown an interception and has only been sacked once over his past two starts but the Broncos have combined for 26 points in those games.

Denver coach Vic Fangio said Lock is expected to start in Week 18. He added that Lock would have missed practice because of a shoulder issue if the team had held a practice on Monday. Lock left Week 17 after taking a hard hit to his throwing shoulder but returned after missing a few drives. Teddy Bridgewater remains in concussion protocols and will not play in Week 18. Fangio also expressed optimism for Lock’s future, saying, “I still think he can be an NFL quarterback.”

The Broncos will be without starting left guard Dalton Risner for the season finale, Fangio said. Risner left Sunday’s game after four snaps after suffering an elbow injury and was unable to return to the game. Denver also could see the return of many, if not all, of the 13 active-roster players who missed Sunday’s game on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. This may be Fangio’s last game as Broncos head coach.

In Week 13, the Broncos lost 22-9 in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes had just 184 yards passing with a touchdown run and an interception but the KC defense dominated. Daniel Sorensen returned a Bridgewater interception 75 yards for a score with 9 1/2 minutes left to put the game away. The Broncos are 3-20 in December when playing at Kansas City dating to the days of the AFL.

Chiefs vs. Broncos Betting Trends

Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Chiefs are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games overall.
The total went over in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games.
Broncos are 2-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Broncos are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games overall.
The total went under in 8 of Denver’s last 10 games.

Chiefs vs. Broncos Expert Betting Predictions

NFL Pick: Chiefs 26, Broncos 17

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.