Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos NFL Betting Preview for Week 18
by Richard Jacobs | Jan 5, 2022
Denver (7-9) brings a three-game losing streak into a matchup with Kansas City (11-5) on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Chiefs are undoubtedly the favorites in this one, with the spread sitting at 10 points. The over/under is set at 44.5 in the outing.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos – Game Info
- Game Day: Saturday, January 8, 2022
- Game Time: 4:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High
Chiefs vs Broncos Betting Information
| Favorite |
Spread |
Favorite spread odds |
Underdog spread odds |
Total |
Over total odds |
Under total odds |
| Chiefs |
-10 |
-110 |
-110 |
44.5 |
-109 |
-111 |
Kansas City Chiefs & Denver Broncos Injuries
| Player |
Pos. |
Injury |
Status |
| L’Jarius Sneed |
CB |
Knee |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Anthony Hitchens |
LB |
Knee |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Orlando Brown Jr. |
OT |
Calf |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
RB |
Shoulder |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
| Lucas Niang |
OL |
Knee |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
| Player |
Pos. |
Injury |
Status |
| Javonte Williams |
RB |
Knee |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Shamar Stephen |
DT |
Quad |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Drew Lock |
QB |
Shoulder |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Shelby Harris |
DE |
Ankle |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Melvin Gordon III |
RB |
Thumb |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Noah Fant |
TE |
Quad |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Ronald Darby |
CB |
Shoulder |
Limited Participation In Practice |
| Patrick Surtain Jr. |
CB |
Calf |
Did Not Participate In Practice |
Kansas City Chiefs Betting Info
Against the spread, Kansas City is 8-8-0 this year.
As a 10-point favorite or greater, the Chiefs have one win ATS (1-1) this season.
Kansas City has seen nine of its 16 games hit the over.
The Chiefs, on average, score 9.9 more points (28.3) than the Broncos allow (18.4).
When it meets or goes over what Denver gives up this season (18.4 points per game), Kansas City is 10-4.
The Broncos’ defense has given up an average of 322.1 yards per game so far this season, 75.2 yards fewer than the 397.3-yard average from the Chiefs’ offense. The Chiefs pick up 6.1 yards per play and the Broncos give up 5.6.
When the Kansas City offense puts together a game with over Denver’s 2021 average in yards allowed (322.1 per game), it is 9-5.
Kansas City Chiefs Leaders
Patrick Mahomes II has thrown for 4,569 yards (285.6 ypg) to lead Kansas City, completing 66.6% of his passes and recording 35 touchdown passes compared to 13 interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 327 rushing yards on 57 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
Darrel Williams has racked up 541 yards on 137 carries while finding the end zone six times as a runner. He’s also caught 44 passes for 422 yards (26.4 per game) and two touchdowns through the air.
Tyreek Hill’s team-leading 1,237 yards as a receiver have come on 110 catches (out of 156 targets) with nine touchdowns.
Chris Jones has nine sacks to pace the team, and also has eight TFL and 27 tackles.
Nick Bolton, Kansas City’s leading tackler, has 106 tackles and 11 TFL this year.
Tyrann Mathieu has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 73 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and six passes defended.
Kansas City Chiefs Season Stats
| Stat |
Average (Total) |
Rank |
| Pass yards |
291.7 (4667) |
3 |
| Rush yards |
113.8 (1820) |
16 |
| Points scored |
28.3 (452) |
4 |
| Pass yards against |
269 (4304) |
26 |
| Rush yards against |
113 (1808) |
17 |
| Points allowed |
21.3 (340) |
13 |
Denver Broncos Betting Info
Against the spread, Denver is 7-9-0 this season.
The Broncos have covered every time (1-0) as a 10-point underdog or greater this year.
Denver has seen four of its 16 games go over the point total.
The Chiefs have allowed 21.3 points per game this season, close to the same amount as the 19.4 the Broncos have scored.
When it exceeds what Kansas City gives up this season (21.3 points per game), Denver is 6-1.
The Chiefs’ defense has allowed 369.3 yards per game in 2021, 40.9 yards more than the 328.4 the Broncos’ offense has averaged. The Broncos pick up 5.6 yards per play and the Chiefs allow 6.1.
In contests where the Denver offense has totaled more than Kansas City’s average yard allowance this season (369.3), the Broncos are 3-3.
Denver Broncos Leaders
Teddy Bridgewater leads Denver with 3,052 yards on 285-of-426 passing with 18 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions this season.
Javonte Williams is his team’s leading rusher with 191 carries for 857 yards, or 53.6 per game. He’s found the end zone four times on the ground, as well. Williams has also chipped in with 41 catches for 298 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Courtland Sutton leads his team with 763 receiving yards on 57 catches with two touchdowns.
Dre’Mont Jones has collected 5.5 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up nine TFL and 29 tackles.
Denver’s leading tackler, Kareem Jackson, has 88 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
Justin Simmons leads the team with five interceptions, while also collecting 77 tackles, four TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 12 passes defended.
Denver Broncos Season Stats
| Stat |
Average (Total) |
Rank |
| Pass yards |
229.9 (3678) |
19 |
| Rush yards |
114.6 (1834) |
14 |
| Points scored |
19.4 (311) |
23 |
| Pass yards against |
226.9 (3631) |
7 |
| Rush yards against |
109.8 (1757) |
13 |
| Points allowed |
18.4 (294) |
3 |
