5 keys to a Chiefs victory over the Broncos in crucial AFC West rematch
The Chiefs must exploit Denver's weaknesses to bounce back and complete a season sweep of the Broncos in Week 8.
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The Chiefs must exploit Denver's weaknesses to bounce back and complete a season sweep of the Broncos in Week 8.
Denver should have its top target in the lineup for a crucial AFC West showdown with the Chiefs.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, the Indianapolis Colts have shifted from keeping star RB Jonathan Taylor to openly fielding offers. Adam Schefter says the asking price mirrors the 2022 package the 49ers gave the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey—multiple mid‑round picks, likely a second‑rounder plus a Day‑3 selection. Teams reportedly interested include the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, each grappling with weak backfields. Taylor, an elite back with two contract years remaining, could fetch a McCaffrey‑type return, though a more modest haul seems probable.
The Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, a pivotal AFC West showdown with both teams sitting at 5‑5. A win puts the victor atop the division, and a second Chiefs win would give them a head‑to‑head tiebreaker after sweeping Denver in Week 1. Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle, sidelined by a chest injury, is listed as questionable but “trending in the right direction” according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. With RB RJ Harvey out and safety Talanoa Hufanga sidelined, Waddle could be crucial for Bo Nix against Patrick Mahomes.
The Kansas City Chiefs got off to a high-flying start this season, sitting at 5-0 after their first five games. While, on paper, things could have been better, the record showed that the Chiefs were back to their old tricks.
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) host the Denver Broncos (5-2) Sunday, Nov. 1, at 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time on CBS (locally KCTV‑5). The game returns to Mile High's natural grass after a 31‑10 Chiefs win in Week 1, though Denver has won the last two meetings and swept the Chiefs last season. Key details include Chiefs –1.5 odds from FanDuel, referee Clete Blakeman, and streams on NFL+. Radio options feature Mitch Holthus on KFNZ (English) and Oscar Monterroso on Audacy (Spanish), while Broncos coverage airs on KOA 850 AM. The matchup impacts the AFC West race.
The New York Giants and Denver Broncos see their hopes of acquiring star running back Saquon Barkley dashed as sources confirm the Eagles will not trade him before the Nov. 10 deadline. Both teams, sitting 4-2-1 in the NFC East and just a half‑game behind Kansas City in the AFC West, were eyeing Barkley to bolster playoff pushes. Philadelphia, despite a 2-5 record, plans to keep the three‑time Pro Bowler for future draft leverage. The trade rumor dies, leaving the Giants and Broncos to seek other upgrades ahead of Week 8.
The Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos at 3:25 p.m. on Nov. 1 in a pivotal Week 8 AFC West clash. Both teams sit near the top—Chiefs 5‑1, Broncos 5‑2—so a Chiefs win would extend their division lead to three games thanks to a head‑to‑head sweep, while a Broncos victory would tie the standings and give Denver a tiebreak edge due to a tougher remaining schedule. Denver’s defense, now the NFL’s No. 3 scoring unit and league‑leading with 21 sacks, faces a Chiefs offense that relied on Kenneth Walker’s 173 rushing yards in the season‑opening win. Experts project a close game, with a 20‑16 Kansas City advantage.
A recent SB Nation Reacts poll reveals only 16% of Arizona Cardinals fans confidence in the team's direction after a 12‑play, three‑point drive against Denver. Despite offseason upgrades on the offensive line and at running back, scoring has slumped under head coach Jonathan LaFleur and starter Jacoby Brissett. Fans are pushing for 19‑year‑old quarterback Carson Beck to take the reins, viewing him as a potential cure before blaming the coach. The Cardinals enter the Cowboys matchup as full‑touchdown underdogs on FanDuel, with a projected team total of 23.5 points.
It's unlikely the Patriots will make a major deal, and I don't think they need to in order to compete for a Super Bowl title. While the Patriots' current injury situation is not ideal — and 180 degrees different than last season (that was predictable) — they are going to get a lot of players back with a lot of ballgame left, including some very challenging games (Bills, Vikings, at Chiefs, vs. Broncos) to prep/make their postseason push.
Not everyone is convinced K.C. will roll over Denver again, but the majority rules in the Chiefs' favor.
The Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in a crucial Week 8 AFC West clash at Empower Field. Denver leans on a top‑10 defense that allows only 20.1 points and ranks fourth in sacks (3.0 per game), but its offense sits 30th in the league, averaging just 20.6 points. Meanwhile, the Chiefs sport a balanced attack that ranks fifth in total yards (380.5) and a stingy defense that yields 17.2 points, though they struggle on third down and in the red zone. Key factors include Broncos pass‑rushers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto pressuring Patrick Mahomes, and the availability of Denver’s WR Jaylen Waddle and Chiefs’ RB Kenneth Walker III. Injuries loom for both sides, with 10 Broncos and 11 Chiefs on the report.
The Indianapolis Colts have rebuffed an offer consisting of a 2027 second‑round pick and an extra selection for star running back Jonathan Taylor, signaling they will only trade him for a first‑rounder before the November 10 deadline. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Taylor's team‑friendly contract—front‑loaded with a $15 million signing bonus and modest base salaries for 2027 ($15 M) and 2028 ($9.46 M)—makes him an attractive asset with no trade‑request pressure. Potential suitors such as the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings must now raise their bids, or the Colts will retain the 27‑year‑old rushing champion for their 2027 roster.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton praises the growing confidence and pass‑rush production of OLB Que Robinson, noting his increased snap counts. In Kansas City, a rumored clash between Chiefs coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and offensive tackle Josh Simmons is downplayed by Mahomes, who says the team is having “hard conversations” but staying focused and moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins admits the pressure of a rookie first‑overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, and highlights tight‑end Tre Tucker’s expanding role. Running back Ashton Jeanty calls for better communication with the offensive line to improve the ground game.
Former Oklahoma defensive standout Nik Bonitto, a 2021 No. 64 NFL draft pick for the Denver Broncos, blasted his alma mater after the Sooners’ 42‑25 loss to South Carolina on Oct. 31, 2026. Posting on X, Bonitto said, “I love my school but this is crazy – gotta make a change,” urging program reforms. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and quarterback, who threw for 302 yards, three TDs and two picks, dominated the game, leaving OU at 4‑4 with no College Football Playoff hope. Bonitto, who logged 117 tackles and 19 sacks at OU (2018‑21), joins the growing chorus demanding changes in Norman.
Taylor Rapp is moving up, while Cody Schrader is set for his first regular-season playing time in a Broncos uniform.
With the NFL trade deadline just two weeks away, Daily Norseman asks whether the undefeated Minnesota Vikings should add former Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor. The piece weighs the potential boost against a tight cap—only $37.7 million projected for 2027—and the risk of sacrificing future flexibility, especially with key contracts expiring for players like Kyler Murray, Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson. It outlines the likely cost: a $4.4 million salary plus incentives and at least a 2nd‑ and 3rd‑round pick, while the Colts seek a first‑rounder. Competing suitors include the Packers, Broncos and Seahawks, making the decision pivotal for a deep playoff run.
Saturday’s NFL roster moves see several teams reshuffle practice squads and address injuries. The Bears cut DB Anthony Johnson, while the Bills elevate Geno Stone and A.J. Woods and sign Te’Cory Couch. Denver promotes G Gavin Ortega and RB Cody Schrader, signs DB Taylor Rapp, and puts RB R.J. Harvey on IR. The Chargers and Chiefs each lose a starter to IR (Derwin James, L’Jarius Sneed) and add practice‑ squad defensive backs. The Cowboys activate DB P.J. Locke; the Raiders activate WR Jack Bech. Numerous other clubs—Browns, Cardinals, Jets, Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, and more—elevate or sign players from their practice squads.
The Denver Broncos place running back RJ Harvey on short‑term IR after a knee injury in Thursday practice, sidelining him for at least four games. Harvey, a key offensive weapon, joins fellow IR stints for Tyler Badie and safety Talanoa Hufanga ahead of Sunday’s Week 8 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. To fill the gaps, the club elevates RB Cody Schrader and OL Gavin Ortega to the game‑day roster, while veteran safety Taylor Rapp is promoted to the active roster. Starting left tackle Garett Bolles remains questionable with a hip issue.
The Indianapolis Colts have officially placed running back Jonathan Taylor on the trade block, with five teams—Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota, New York Giants, and Seattle—already engaging in talks. Sources say the Colts have received at least one offer that includes a second‑round pick and are targeting a return comparable to the 2022 Christian McCaffrey deal. Taylor met owner Carlie Irsay‑Gordon this week, who expressed personal affinity but acknowledges the trade value. With the Colts 2‑5 and a new GM search underway, the deadline to move Taylor is Nov. 10.
Jared Harrison-Hunte signed with the Cardinals on Sept. 1 and appeared in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos. He tallied one tackle.
Jonah Coleman is beginning to carve out a larger role in Denver's backfield just as the Chiefs are trying to recover from an ugly defensive performance against Seattle.
The Denver Broncos placed RB R.J. Harvey on injured reserve on Oct. 31, sidelining him for at least four games and leaving the backfield short on a versatile receiving threat. With the NFL trade deadline looming, the injury could accelerate Denver’s pursuit of Colts star Jonathan Taylor, who leads the league with eight rushing touchdowns. The Broncos, whose ground game averages just 3.8 yards per carry, see Taylor as an elite three‑down back to bolster their playoff push, especially as the New York Giants appear to back away from the deal.
The Denver Broncos place rookie RB RJ Harvey on short‑term IR ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. Harvey, sidelined by a knee injury in practice, will miss four games and can return as early as Dec. 6 against the Dolphins. The move hurts Denver’s rushing attack; JK Dobbins, Jonah Coleman and Cody Schrader may see more snaps. Harvey has logged 87 yards on 24 carries, 217 receiving yards on 25 catches and two touchdowns this season. The Chiefs sit atop the AFC West at 5‑1, while the Broncos sit at 5‑2.
NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Indianapolis Colts are fielding trade interest for running back Jonathan Taylor, but the franchise demands a premium return. The Colts turned down a 2027 second‑round pick plus an extra pick, signaling they hope for at least a first‑rounder—similar to the package the Panthers paid for Christian McCaffrey in 2022. Taylor, 27, is the team's 2nd‑all‑time rusher (8,185 yards, 77 TDs) and just signed a two‑year, $44 million extension. He currently totals 587 yards and eight touchdowns on 140 carries (4.2 YPC) in a 2‑5 season. Supects include the Bengals, Broncos, Packers, Vikings and Patriots, but Indianapolis says any offer must “blow them away.”