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  • expert headshot
    Thomas Casale
    Casale on Campus
    DEN +3
    -115
    Spread
    Picked: Aug 12 @ 8:17pm

    Analysis

    All the talk is about Patrick Mahomes returning for Week 1 but I'm more interested in the big uglies. I expect the Broncos to dominate this game in the trenches. Denver has my top-rated offensive line entering the season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs could start undrafted Kahlil Benson at right tackle. Benson may end up being a good player but an undrafted free agent protecting a QB coming off an ACL injury in Week 1 isn't ideal. I give Denver's vaunted pass rush a big edge in this matchup and expect a lower-scoring game. I'll grab the +3 now in case the number goes down closer to kickoff.
  • expert headshot
    Adam Thompson
    The ATM
    DEN +3
    -116
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 7 @ 11:35am

    Analysis

    The Broncos went from 10-7 in Bo Nix’s rookie year to 14-3 last season, losing in the AFC Championship. This team looks to be in a spot to take another step, and what an opportunity against the perennial powerhouse Chiefs in KC. Patrick Mahomes is coming off his major knee injury and didn’t play a single minute in preseason, and a revamped defensive backfield may take time. There are no such glaring issues for Denver going into Week 1.
  • expert headshot
    R.J. White
    #2
    +508
    (65%)
    11-6-1 in Last 18 NFL Picks
    DEN +3
    -120
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 8 @ 10:03am

    Analysis

    Patrick Mahomes seems on track to play in Week 1, and even if he's 100% healthy, I like this number for Denver. The Broncos have the edge in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and the Josh Simmons injury could be a problem for Mahomes in the passing game. The Broncos upgraded their passing attack with Jaylen Waddle, which will be an early test for Kansas City's rebuilt CB room. Bottom line: I think the Broncos are the better team, particularly in Week 1, and the Chiefs shouldn't get 3 points for home-field advantage, so there's nice value here.
  • expert headshot
    Brady Kannon
    SuperContest Champ
    KC -2.5
    -115
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 10 @ 10:12am

    Analysis

    Fans and bettors are high on the Broncos this season in the AFC, like they are on the Rams in the NFC. At BetMGM, the Broncos are the very highest in ticket count to go OVER their season win total. Their win total last year was 8.5. They won 14 games and now it's only 9.5. KC is favored in this game and it's already up to 3 in many spots, yet the masses are playing the dog. Everything is telling me Chiefs at home, laying less than a field goal, is still nearly an auto-play. This is triple-revenge for the Chiefs who have now fallen to Denver in each of their last three meetings. Give me Kansas City to win by three or more.
  • expert headshot
    Micah Roberts
    Former Vegas Bookmaker
    player headshot
    B. Nix
    YES
    +600
    Anytime TD Scorer
    Picked: Sep 10 @ 10:51pm

    Analysis

    The AFC West has seen a change of guard, and the biggest reason is Bo Nix's maturation as the Broncos' quarterback. The Chiefs had won 16 straight games against the Broncos until Denver won four of the last five, including the last three. In last year's game at Kansas City, he rushed 9 times for 42 yards and a TD, and I like him to score a touchdown here. He broke his ankle last season, and I don't expect him to be his normal self running the ball, but with a touchdown on the line, he’ll do the unexpected for a player coming off an injury. He scored five touchdowns last year, including one at Kansas City.

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