Broncos vs. Chiefs Predictions & Opening Odds for Christmas Day: NFL Week 17

Denver (-11.5) is the smart early play in our Broncos vs. Chiefs predictions for Christmas Day.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass as we offer our Broncos vs. Chiefs predictions for Christmas Day.
Pictured: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass as we offer our Broncos vs. Chiefs predictions for Christmas Day. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.
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One team in this AFC West rivalry still has plenty to play for in trying to nail down the conference’s No. 1 seed as I make my early picks and Broncos vs. Chiefs predictions for Christmas Day. The opening odds peg Denver as anywhere from an 11.5 to 13-point favorite in this game that kicks off from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday (Prime Video). 

With the AFC’s No. 1 seed in reach, I am backing Denver to cover this large spread on the backs of a dominant defensive performance as part of my NFL Week 17 predictions.


🏈 Early Broncos vs. Chiefs prediction & betting preview

Stay ahead with the rest of our early NFL picks for Week 17.

Broncos -11.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Things went from bad to worse for Kansas City last week, losing to a previously two-win Titans team the week after Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL.

Kansas City looked lifeless with season-lows in points (nine) and total yards (133), especially after it lost Gardner Minshew early to a knee injury. So while Denver allowed 30 points last week for the first time since Week 7, I don't expect much from a Chiefs offense led by Chris Oladokun. 

FanDuel is the only top sports betting site with a point spread less than -12.5, so the full point more of value is worth the steeper -115 odds (53.49% implied probability). A $10 wager would net $8.70 in profit if the Broncos cover.

💡 More Week 17 predictions

Want more NFL betting advice? Check out all of our NFL analysis and expert predictions for every game in Week 17.


📊 Live Broncos vs. Chiefs odds: Christmas Day

See the latest NFL odds for every game in Week 17.

Broncos vs. Chiefs opening odds

  • Moneyline: Broncos -238 | Chiefs +195
  • Spread: Broncos -5.5 (-110) | Chiefs +5.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: Over 39.5 (-110) | Under 39.5 (-110)

Broncos vs. Chiefs line movement

Denver is currently the only double-digit favorite in Week 17, which is no surprise after Kansas City lost by 17 to one of the NFL’s worst teams. 

It would take a combination of sharp and public action to drive this spread to the key number of -14. The Broncos could also take their foot off the gas late with a Week 18 game against the Chargers looming to potentially decide the AFC West and the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

As of this writing, FanDuel is the only one of our best sports betting sites offering an O/U of 36.5, as the rest of the market is at 37.5. But I expect more sportsbooks to come down to 36.5 as opposed to FanDuel aligning with the rest of the market, given Kansas City’s offensive ineptitude last week.


📈 Broncos vs. Chiefs trends & betting notes: Christmas Day

  • Kansas City has won nine straight home games against Denver
  • Bo Nix is 16-2 SU as a favorite and 6-9 SU as an underdog
  • Kansas City is 1-7 ATS against teams over .500 this season
  • Andy Reid’s teams are 4-4 SU and ATS with a backup quarterback since 2013

📺 How to watch Broncos vs. Chiefs: Christmas Day

  • Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
  • Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Mo.)
  • TV: Prime Video

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