- Kansas City (4-1) is a 10.5-point home favorite over the Broncos (1-4) on Thursday Night Football
- Denver has the worst defense through five games ever recorded by DVOA
- Week 6’s matchup kicks off from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO at 8:15pm ET
Could Sean Payton’s first season in Denver really get any worse? After losing to Nathaniel Hackett and the Jets in week 5, the Broncos are 1-4 heading into Arrowhead on Thursday. Andy Reid’s Chiefs have four straight victories and are riding a 15-game winning streak against the Broncos.
Before we check the odds on the AFC West rivalry game, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2023.
Chiefs vs Broncos
Denver keeps losing
While Sean Payton has made countless mistakes in his return to the NFL, hiring defensive coordinator Vance Joseph may be the one he regrets the most. Denver’s defense ranks worst in the league in points allowed (36.2), total yards allowed (450.6) and rushing yards allowed (187.6) per game. In fact, according to Aaron Schatz, the Broncos have the worst defense ever measured by DVOA through five weeks.
Payton’s latest embarrassment came on Sunday. Former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett and the Jets put up 31 points against Denver. In the offseason, Payton called his predecessor’s performance “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” Karma is a bitch.
Do you think Nathaniel Hackett is fired up? pic.twitter.com/7rHU9f5m7y
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 8, 2023
Chiefs on a roll
Kansas City is 4-1 but three of their victories were by one score against teams with a combined record of 6-9. Luckily, Travis Kelce looks to have escaped a major injury after limping off the field in Minnesota in week 5. Taylor Swift’s new man returned in the second half to catch a touchdown in the 27-20 victory over the Vikings.
While the Chiefs have struggled to find playmakers outside of their star tight end, their defense has been among the NF:’s best in 2023. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit ranks top-five in points allowed (16.0 ppg) and top -ten in yards allowed (301.4).
Kansas City vs Denver
Kansas City is a 10.5-point favorite on Thursday with the over/under set at 47.5 points. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions this season. The two-time NFL MVP is an undefeated 11-0 all-time versus his AFC West rivals with a bunch of blowout wins. In the last meeting, he passed for 328 yards and three scores with one interception.
Russell Wilson passed for 222 yards with a TD and a pick in Arrowhead last year, but he’s been the least of Denver’s problems this year. Mr. Unlimited has tossed 11 TDs vs 2 INTs in his first five games with Sean Payton.
Aaron Rodgers challenges ‘Mr. Pfizer’ Travis Kelce to COVID vaccine debate with RFK Jr., Fauci https://t.co/RMPaQ4aJSq pic.twitter.com/3uUY2ycNOe
— New York Post (@nypost) October 10, 2023
Best Bet
Patrick Mahomes burned bettors in week 4, passing up a late TD in favor of a game-sealing slide in the Chiefs’ 23-20 win over the Jets. However, we’re ready to get hurt again.
Denver’s last four opponents have rushed for at least 170 yards each. Look for Andy Reid to build up a big lead and run out the clock on their AFC West foes. We like Kansas City and the OVER 47.5 points.
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