The Denver Broncos (9-7) are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here are five storylines to watch for going into the game.
1. Carson Wentz vs. Broncos’ defense: The Chiefs will be resting key starters in Denver, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so Wentz is set to start against the Broncos. Wentz threw four touchdown passes when the Philadelphia Eagles beat Denver 51-23 during the 2017 season. That was, of course, a different offense and a different Broncos defense. This year, Denver’s squad ranks sixth in takeaways (25), fifth in points allowed (19.4 per game) and first in sacks (58). Wentz last started in Week 18 for the Los Angeles Rams last season, completing 70.83% of his passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Wentz has a career win-loss-tie record of 47-45-1.
2. Courtland Sutton’s push for 1,000 (and incentives): Sutton is 17 yards away from a 1,000-yard season, which would make him the team’s first receiver to hit that mark since 2019 (when Sutton had 1,112 yards). Additionally, Sutton is 82 yards away from 1,065 receiving yards, which is his target mark for a $500,000 bonus. Don’t be surprised if quarterback Bo Nix looks Sutton’s way often on Sunday.
With 983 yards, Courtland Sutton seems a sure bet on Sunday vs. Chiefs to become the first #Broncos receiver to have 1,000 yards since he did it in 2019 with 1,112 in a 16-game season. But he has just 137 yards in the last 3 games after having 569 in previous 6.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 30, 2024
3. Riley Moss bouncing back: In his first game back from a knee injury last week, Moss struggled in coverage against Tee Higgins. Moss owned up to the poor performance after the game and he did not blame his injury, but it’s fair to wonder if he was back on the field perhaps a little too early. Now with another week of recovery, Moss will look to bounce back against the Chiefs in Week 18.
4. Bo Nix vs. Kansas City’s defense: When the Broncos played the Chiefs on the road in Week 10, Nix went 22-of-30 for 215 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. KC won on a last-second field goal block, but Nix put his team in position to win the game. He is now set to face a Chiefs defense that could be missing a few key starters, so Nix will be expected to have another strong performance.
5. Denver’s push for the NFL playoffs: The Broncos have already posted their first winning season since 2016. Now they can clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2015 with a win or tie against Kansas City. Playing in front of their home fans in their beautiful throwback uniform, Denver will look to end its eight-year playoff drought.
Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). With the Chiefs resting starters, the Broncos are considered favorites in Week 18.
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