Chiefs face Broncos in pivotal AFC West clash at Mile High

The Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 1, in a contest that could determine the AFC West standings. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, with the Chiefs favored by 1.5 points according to DraftKings odds.

Denver enters the game riding a three-game winning streak, a run that followed a 30-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos are 5-2 on the season and have not lost since falling to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 4. Their momentum has built steadily since that early setback.

Kansas City, conversely, is 5-1 and looks to erase a disappointing performance from the previous week. The Chiefs suffered a 20-3 defeat at the hands of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. That game marked their worst showing of the season, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes posting three points, a total that tied for the fewest in his career.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice returns to the Chiefs lineup after missing four games with a hamstring injury. He was sidelined since Week 4. In the four games he played before the injury, Rice caught 13 of 17 targets for 190 yards and one touchdown. He started three of those games.

This marks the second meeting between the rivals this season. The Broncos won the first three head-to-head matchups in recent history before losing in Week 1 this year. A split in their 2026 season series would keep Denver in the hunt for the division title. The Broncos are aiming for their second consecutive AFC West championship.

The altitude and crowd at Mile High present a known challenge for visiting teams, a factor the Chiefs have experienced annually for years. With the Las Vegas Raiders falling from their initial stratosphere, the division race has narrowed to a direct competition between these two clubs. The outcome of Sunday's game will set the tone for the remainder of the season.