Most Kansas City Chiefs players have never been here before. Sitting in third place in the AFC West is a new position for the Chiefs, a team that has won its division in each of the last nine seasons. Let's say that again: _nine_ consecutive AFC West titles. It's a run of dominance that has buried the notion of "rivalries" for newer fans.
However, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are forging a more impressive path than the Chiefs in 2025. The Broncos sit at 8-2 overall and hold a two-game edge over Kansas City at this stage. The good news for K.C. is that neither of their two scheduled contests against Denver have taken place yet, which means they're still in control of their fate—at least as far as the Broncos are concerned.
The Chargers are 6-3 and will be happy with however this game turns out. Either K.C. will be buried in the division at 5-5 or else they will have a chance to match the Broncos atop the West.
So how will things turn out? The Chiefs are coming off of their bye week, which has our writers feeling optimistic about their chances, even on the road against a tough opponent. Will Denver put the Chiefs away in the division? Can the Chiefs climb out of the early hole they've dug?
Writers predictions for Chiefs-Broncos in Week 11
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**Christian Ainsworth**
The Chiefs show why they are the class of the AFC with this decisive victory over the Broncos. Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor coming back into the fold will make the offense look more cohesive. Combine the rivalry stakes with Andy Reid’s track record coming off a bye, and this sets up as the perfect opportunity for Kansas City to make a statement. **Chiefs 37, Broncos 21**
**Drae Blackwell-Harris**
Well, we know Big Red always has his eams prepared after the bye. High-scoring game. Chiefs squeak out a win. **Chiefs 28, Broncos 24**
**Price Carter**
Is this the biggest regular-season game of Patrick Mahomes' career? There's a chance that's true, especially if you care about the consecutive streak of AFC West titles. The Chiefs weren't given any favors over the bye week, and now even their bye week is mitigated by a mini-bye for Denver, where they play back-to-back home games. The Chiefs' defense is the most important unit in this game. Yes, the Chiefs offense versus Broncos defense is the matchup everyone will be buzzing about, but Bo Nix just looked terrible against a very bad Raiders defense. Make this game easier on the offense and shut down the Broncos' run game, and force Bo Nix to beat you. I think Spags and the Chiefs' defense know the importance of this, and Reid can do enough to win against a tough pass rush. **Chiefs 24, Broncos 14**
**Matt Conner**
Everyone should take the Broncos as seriously as they would take any division-leading team at 8-2, but it's just very difficult to believe the Chiefs aren't going to take advantage of the opportunity to dig themselves out of such a surprising divisional deficit. **Chiefs 24, Broncos 22**
**Bransen Gibson**
If the Chiefs genuinely want a chance of winning the AFC West, they \*have\* to beat the Broncos. A win would make the Chiefs the favorites to win the West. But a loss would give Denver a whopping 82% chance of being Division champs to KC's 9%. The Chiefs have been good at winning with their backs against the wall. They'll do so again in Denver. **Chiefs 17, Broncos 14**
**Lyle Graversen**
The Chiefs are desperate for a win here. The Broncos defense is a huge challenge, but Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have just enough to pull off a close win. **Chiefs 23, Broncos 20**
**Braden Holocek**
The Broncos have won seven in a row. Obviously, their defense is incredible, and their pass rush will challenge Kansas City all day long. But it has been one of the least convincing seven-game win streaks, due to their margin of victory and offensive struggles. The Chiefs are off a bye, where Andy Reid is special. They are in a familiar position. Kansas City has answered a few times this season with its back against the wall. The Chiefs come through in that spot again with hopes of the AFC West still alive. Spags' unit plays inspired and is the difference in a possibly tight, low-scoring game. **Chiefs 20, Broncos 17**
**Scott Loring**
The Chiefs’ stranglehold on the division is in doubt, and the Broncos can slam the door with a win. Kansas City has historically shown that they play well with their backs to the wall, and Patrick Mahomes will especially benefit without Patrick Surtain (or old nemesis Justin Simmons) patrolling the Broncos' secondary. **Chiefs 29, Broncos 27**
**Greg Morse**
Based on how the Broncos' offense has looked lately, this should be an easy win for the Chiefs. Should be. They’ll probably make it harder on themselves than it needs to be, but I expect a post-bye week Chiefs to come out firing on all cylinders. Back in 2013, the Chiefs started 9-0, before running up against the Broncos, who were clearly the superior team, and ultimately losing the division. I expect the reverse to happen this year. **Chiefs 28, Broncos 10**
**Shawn O'Brate**
Andy Reid and Mahomes are known ballers after a bye week. They have been known to do things perfectly after a week off to analyze the team they’re going against, and this week will be no different. And even though Bo Nix and the Denver offense have had countless miscues this season. It’s their defense that still scares me and should scare the Chiefs in this must-win game. With that said, I think the Chiefs get going early and slow down late when the Broncos inevitably get going in the 4th. I think this is the week Worthy gets back to form, and I think that Reid finally gets Thornton back in the game against a weakened Broncos secondary that’s missing their reigning DPOY. **Chiefs 28, Broncos 24**
**Charles Robinson**
Denver is 8-2 and Kansas City is 5-4. The Chiefs are on the outside of the playoff hunt looking in, while the Broncos are in a three-way tie with the Colts and Patriots for the AFC's best record. The tides have truly turned in the AFC—wait. We're still talking about a Bo Nix-led offense, right? Assuming Jawaan Taylor's ankle feels a bit better and Josh Simmons remembers how to play football, give me the Chiefs by 17 in this one. **Chiefs 30, Broncos 13**
**Lucas Strozinsky**
The Chiefs had their annual Buffalo loss, but now it's time for them to lock in, or else they can kiss their AFC West title dreams goodbye. Win, and they're alive. Lose, and they're in danger of finishing as a 6-7 seed, or even miss the playoffs altogether. **Chiefs 26, Broncos 20**