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 highway sport towards the Denver Broncos (9-8). Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time at Empower Subject 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 will likely be met by loads of Chiefs seeking to show themselves with the prolonged look. Listed here are 5 issues to look at 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 best way 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 speeding makes an attempt.

Wentz’s downfield throwing potential must be intriguing to look at inside the offense, however the group might use his mobility within the scheme as a wrinkle that’s usually unavailable to the play-calling. Search for elevated learn choices or possibility 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 probably not taking the sector.

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

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

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

“In Week 9, I assumed he was actually good then. He has simply received even higher,” Spagnuolo identified. “[He is] in full command of that offense they run. He has been actually good 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 reasonably good-sized man.”

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

The Chiefs have allowed the 10-most speeding 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 follow and has ‘a superb likelihood’ to play. It might be his second begin with the Chiefs, slightly below a month faraway from the primary that ended with a hamstring harm.

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

A major efficiency might give the Chiefs the arrogance to maneuver left guard Joe Thuney again to his unique place — however it’ll take a powerful 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 follow discipline in restricted capability: the Chiefs opened his 21-day follow window to return from injured reserve.

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

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

5. The backfield rotation

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

That units up working 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 sturdy blocking in safety, Perine has totaled not less than 20 receiving yards in every of the final three video games.

He may even see extra conventional working again alternatives on Sunday, however Steele ought to see many of the work. The rookie’s function has diminished all year long, incomes zero carries over the past 5 weeks. The three fumbles are loads to beat when it comes to incomes taking part in time, so this is a crucial sport for him to have momentum transferring ahead in his profession.

It received’t be simple, 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 speeding yards as a group towards Denver in Week 9.