By Fred Liggett
[email protected]
Welcome to week 18 of the 2024 NFL season where “It doesn’t matter.” That’s the prevailing thought of most Kansas City Chiefs fans as the team wraps up the regular season with a trip to play division rival Denver. The Chiefs enter at 15-1 and having already secured the number one seed in the upcoming AFC playoffs. The host Broncos come in at 9-7 and needing a win to secure an AFC playoff spot.
Back in April 2024 when the Chiefs schedule was announced many fans were hoping that the last game wouldn’t mean anything to a possible playoff berth or seeding. Chiefs’ fans got their wish on Christmas Day when the Chiefs dominated Pittsburgh 29-10 to claim the top seed in the playoffs. Many Chiefs players are sporting some bumps and bruises and the team now gets the reward of a bye week. The Chiefs will play one of three teams, Houston, Pittsburgh or Baltimore the weekend of January 18-19 in Kansas City.
The Chiefs/Broncos rivalry has been a long running one and despite several starters not expecting to play one can be sure the thought of keeping Denver out of the playoffs is alive and well. The Chiefs announced early in the week that QB Carson Wentz will get the start in place of Patrick Mahomes. Wentz is a veteran QB who knows the Chiefs system well so a spirited effort will not be a surprise. The Chiefs have won nine out of the last 10 meetings against the Broncos. That includes their last meeting played in KC where the Chiefs blocked a field goal to win 16-14.
The Broncos under second year head coach Sean Payton have reacted well to rookie QB Bo Nix as he helps guide the team back to the playoffs something Denver has missed the past eight seasons. Nix wasn’t the highest drafted QB in the 2024 draft but he has been impressive throwing for 3,454 yards so far in his rookie season.
As many Chiefs can tell you, the Broncos were very close to leaving KC on November 10 with a road win until LB Leo Chenal blocked a potential game winning kick. The Broncos with a win know they can reach their goal of making the playoffs. The Chiefs have already reached their goals of winning the AFC West Division for a ninth straight year and earning the number one seed in the AFC Playoffs.
With CBS number one TV crew of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on hand to describe the action, when it ends both teams will be happy for reaching their season-long goals. Chiefs backups play well for a while but its Denver who leaves the field this time celebrating a 10th win on the season. That’s What I REID Into It for this week.
