5 things to watch as the Chiefs play the Broncos in Week 18

In Week 18, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (15-1) will end their winningest common season in franchise historical past with a street sport in opposition to the Denver Broncos (9-8). Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive Stadium in Denver, Colorado.

The Chiefs are set to relaxation key gamers, giving the backups an opportunity to play spoiler: the Broncos want a win to safe the final seed within the AFC playoffs. A Denver loss would open the door for both the Cincinnati Bengals or the Miami Dolphins to make the postseason with victories themselves.

The excessive stakes for the Broncos can be met by loads of Chiefs seeking to show themselves with the prolonged look. Listed here are 5 issues to observe within the regular-season finale:

1. Carson Wentz on the wheel

Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid confirmed beginning quarterback Patrick Mahomes would relaxation this week, main the way in which for backup Carson Wentz to make his 94th profession begin.

It’s the primary since Week 18 of final yr with the Los Angeles Rams. In that sport, Wentz threw two touchdowns and completed with a passer score of 99.8. He was additionally the Rams’ main rusher: Wentz totaled 56 yards and scored over a career-high 17 dashing makes an attempt.

Wentz’s downfield throwing means needs to be intriguing to observe throughout the offense, however the crew might use his mobility within the scheme as a wrinkle that’s usually unavailable to the play-calling. Search for elevated learn choices or choice pitches; in short-yardage conditions, search for the quarterback sneak.

2. Gearing up the reserve go rushers

Primarily based on the ultimate harm report, defensive linemen Chris Jones and George Karlaftis are uncertain to play. Even when suited up, the designations level to every doubtless not taking the sphere.

Jones additionally missed the Christmas Day sport in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, however the protection nonetheless tied a season-high with 5 sacks. Defensive finish Felix Anudike-Uzomah earned certainly one of them and will have an extended runway to point out his improvement via his second yr.

Whoever sees enjoying time up entrance must corral Broncos’ quarterback Bo Nix. He’ll transfer round to make a throw however may also take off: he has the fifth-most first downs rushed for amongst quarterbacks this season.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a whole lot of respect for Nix and his athleticism, expressing it throughout his press convention on Thursday.

“In Week 9, I believed he was actually good then. He has simply acquired even higher,” Spagnuolo identified. “[He is] in full command of that offense they run. He has been actually sensible with the soccer, and he’s a very good athlete. When he tucks it in run, I get visions of Josh Allen. He can go, and he’s a fairly good-sized man.”

“We have now to get higher at containing, controlling quarterbacks from hurting us with their ft.”

The Chiefs have allowed the 10-most dashing yards to quarterbacks this season.

3. A tune-up sport for D.J. Humphries

Throughout his press convention on Friday, Reid famous that veteran left sort out D.J. Humphries appeared good in observe and has ‘ likelihood’ to play. It might be his second begin with the Chiefs, just below a month faraway from the primary that ended with a hamstring harm.

He can have a robust check to show himself able to beginning within the postseason. The Broncos lead the NFL in sacks (58), six greater than some other crew. The Denver protection has additionally tallied the second-most quarterback hits (68).

A big efficiency might give the Chiefs the arrogance to maneuver left guard Joe Thuney again to his unique place — however it should take a robust show. The offense discovered a rhythm with Thuney on the sting and mustn’t pivot from it too simply.

4. Jockeying for place at cornerback

On Friday, cornerback Jaylen Watson returned to the observe discipline in restricted capability: the Chiefs opened his 21-day observe window to return from injured reserve.

Sure, that will make the second Chiefs participant to make an in-season restoration from breaking leg bones. Working again Isiah Pacheco made it again from a damaged fibula; now Watson is ready to play roughly three months after fracturing his ankle whereas additionally breaking his fibula and tibia.

This sport places strain on cornerbacks Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson and Christian Roland-Wallace to show themselves as depth. The return of Watson might squeeze certainly one of them off the lively roster on sport day.

5. The backfield rotation

Pacheco is nursing a rib harm and has already been dominated out. Working again Kareem Hunt seems on the report as uncertain with out an harm designation, signaling relaxation for him in Denver.

That units up operating backs Samaje Perine and Carson Steele to hold the load. Perine has established himself because the pass-down again transferring into the playoffs; on high of robust blocking in safety, Perine has totaled at the least 20 receiving yards in every of the final three video games.

He may even see extra conventional operating again alternatives on Sunday, however Steele ought to see a lot of the work. The rookie’s position has diminished all year long, incomes zero carries during the last 5 weeks. The three fumbles are rather a lot to beat when it comes to incomes enjoying time, so this is a vital sport for him to have momentum transferring ahead in his profession.

It received’t be straightforward, primarily relying on who begins on the Chiefs’ offensive line. The Broncos enable 3.9 yards per carry this season, the second-lowest price within the NFL. The Chiefs recorded a season-low 57 dashing yards as a crew in opposition to Denver in Week 9.