The Denver Broncos (9-7) are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season this Sunday afternoon, and there are several intriguing storylines to watch out for heading into the matchup.
- Carson Wentz vs. Broncos’ defense: With the Chiefs resting key players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz will be starting for Kansas City against the Broncos. Wentz, who once threw four touchdown passes in a dominant 51-23 victory for the Philadelphia Eagles over Denver in 2017, will face a much-improved Broncos defense this time around. The Broncos have one of the best defensive units in the league this year, ranking sixth in takeaways with 25, fifth in points allowed (19.4 per game), and first in sacks with 58. Wentz, who last started in Week 18 for the Los Angeles Rams in the previous season, had a solid performance, completing 70.83% of his passes for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. With a career record of 47-45-1, Wentz will be challenged by one of the toughest defenses he’s faced all season.
- Courtland Sutton’s push for 1,000 yards (and incentives): Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is just 17 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season, a milestone that would make him the first Denver receiver to reach that mark since 2019, when he posted 1,112 yards. Additionally, Sutton is only 82 yards away from reaching 1,065 receiving yards, which would trigger a $500,000 bonus in his contract. Given his proximity to both achievements, don’t be surprised if quarterback Bo Nix looks to target Sutton frequently on Sunday as he pushes toward these milestones.
- Riley Moss bouncing back: Riley Moss, returning from a knee injury, had a tough game last week against Tee Higgins, struggling in coverage. He admitted after the game that his performance was below expectations but did not use his injury as an excuse. After another week of recovery, Moss will be looking to improve in Week 18, especially against a Chiefs offense that could be missing some key players. His ability to bounce back from last week’s performance could be crucial for the Broncos as they aim to close out the regular season on a strong note.
- Bo Nix vs. Kansas City’s defense: In their previous matchup against the Chiefs in Week 10, quarterback Bo Nix delivered a strong performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Despite a heartbreaking loss on a last-second field goal block, Nix put his team in a position to win the game. Now, with Kansas City likely resting several key defensive starters, Nix will have another opportunity to lead his team to victory. He’ll be aiming for another solid performance to close out the season and put the Broncos in the best possible position for a playoff berth.
- Denver’s push for the NFL playoffs: The Broncos have already secured their first winning season since 2016, but they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. With a win or tie against Kansas City, Denver can clinch their first playoff appearance since 2015. The team will be motivated to finish strong in front of their home crowd while wearing their throwback uniforms, hoping to end an eight-year playoff drought. This game holds significant playoff implications for the Broncos, making it a must-win scenario as they aim to secure their spot in the postseason.
The game will be regionally televised on CBS, and with the Chiefs resting several key starters, the Broncos are considered the favorites heading into Week 18.
