Chiefs host Broncos in Christmas Day finale at Arrowhead

It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have owned the AFC West. Arrowhead Stadium in December (and January) has been a fortress, a place where playoff runs are forged and division titles are celebrated. However, as the Chiefs prepare to host the Denver Broncos on Christmas night, the mood is decidedly different.

Eliminated from playoff contention and riding a four-game losing streak, Kansas City (6-9) enters Week 17 looking for pride, not positioning. Across the sideline stands a Broncos team (12-3) that has not only usurped the Chiefs’ divisional throne but is fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

It is a complete reversal of fortunes, a “Stranger Things” upside-down reality, as one local beat writer put it. But for 60 minutes on Christmas, the records go out the window. It’s still Chiefs vs. Broncos. It’s still a rivalry. And for Kansas City, it’s a final chance to defend their home turf in 2025.

Quarterback Carousel Spins Again

The defining story of the Chiefs’ late-season collapse has been attrition at the game’s most important position. The loss of Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending ACL injury was a devastating blow to the franchise’s hopes. Then, in a cruel twist of fate during last week’s 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, backup Gardner Minshew suffered the same injury.

Enter Chris Oladokun.

The former 2022 seventh-round pick, who has spent four seasons developing in the Chiefs’ system, will make his first career NFL start on national television. Oladokun stepped in for Minshew last week, completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards. He was efficient but under siege, taking four sacks behind a struggling offensive line.

“It’s Christmas Day,” Oladokun said regarding the opportunity. “The possibility of me making a first start on Christmas Day is pretty special. I have family in town and stuff like that, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Oladokun faces a tall task. He isn’t just battling a fierce Denver pass rush; he’s operating an offense depleted of its weapons. Running back Isiah Pacheco has struggled to find traction on the ground, managing just 34 rushing yards last week. The receiving corps is equally banged up, with Rashee Rice (concussion) questionable to play.

Denver’s Drive for the Top Seed

While Kansas City limps toward the offseason, Denver is sprinting toward the postseason. The Broncos are enjoying their most successful campaign since 2015, currently holding the top seed in the AFC.

However, their work isn’t finished. Despite their 12 wins, the Broncos haven’t technically clinched the AFC West title yet, with the Los Angeles Chargers still lurking mathematically. A loss to the Chiefs, combined with a Chargers surge, could tumble Denver from the No. 1 seed all the way to a Wild Card road game.

Bo Nix has been a revelation for Denver. Despite a hiccup last week in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where he turned the ball over twice Nix has generally played with poise beyond his years. He has thrown for over 3,500 yards and ran for five touchdowns this season. Even in defeat last week, he managed 352 passing yards and 121 total yards on just 11 touches.

Nix is supported by a defense that has been suffocating for most of the year. The unit ranks No. 5 in the league and leads the NFL with 63 sacks. For a third-string quarterback making his debut start behind a porous offensive line, that statistic is terrifying.

What’s at Stake?

For Denver, the stakes are tangible: the AFC West crown and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They need to bounce back from the loss to Jacksonville to reassert their dominance before the postseason begins.

For Kansas City, the motivation is internal. This is the final home game of a nightmare season. It’s a chance for players on the roster bubble—like rookies Jeff Bassa, Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith—to prove they belong in the team’s future plans.

It is also about the rivalry. The Broncos snapped a long losing streak to the Chiefs earlier this season with a 22-19 victory in Week 11. In that game, Denver controlled the tempo and forced turnovers. The Chiefs would love nothing more than to play spoiler and deny their rivals a division coronation on the Arrowhead turf.

Matchup to Watch: Courtland Sutton vs. Chiefs Secondary

With Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson both banged up, the Chiefs’ secondary is vulnerable. This presents a massive opportunity for Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. Sutton leads Denver with 69 receptions, 972 yards and seven touchdowns. If Kansas City cannot generate pressure on Bo Nix, Sutton could find plenty of open space against a depleted defensive backfield.

Final Thoughts

Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT on Amazon Prime.

On paper, this is a mismatch. The Broncos have the defense, the healthy quarterback and everything to play for. The Chiefs are starting a third-string quarterback and missing key starters on both sides of the ball.

But strange things happen in rivalry games. The Chiefs may be down, but they will look to harness the energy of the Arrowhead crowd one last time in 2025. It might take a Christmas miracle to pull off the upset, but in the NFL, you never know until the game is played.