Broncos' injury issues could lead to Chiefs running the table

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Broncos' extensive injury issues could lead to Chiefs running the table

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 14, 2025 6:23 PM ET

The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday is one of the biggest matchups of the weekend and could play a decisive role in both the AFC West race, as well as the AFC playoff race as a whole. The Broncos enter the game with the top spot in the division, while the Chiefs are still trying to shake off their slow start and get back into the playoff picture.

They might have a chance to do so given some of the players the Broncos are going to be without on Sunday.

Broncos injury report could be bad news against Chiefs

The Broncos announced on Friday that starting running back J.K. Dobbins will be out for Sunday's game, joining a list of absences that already includes superstar cornerback Pat Surtain II, linebacker and team-leading tackler Alex Singleton and linebacker Jonah Elliss.

That is four significant players out of the lineup, including two major starters on defense.

For Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, the Broncos now have ruled out these players:

JK Dobbins (foot)
Pat Surtain (pec)
Alex Singleton (illness)
Jonah Elliss (hamstring) pic.twitter.com/fEbloBbFCa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 14, 2025

That injury list is a big reason why the Chiefs, despite their 5-4 record, are still a three-point road favorite going into Denver.

It's bad news for the Broncos in what could be a pivotal and potentially season-changing game.

If the Chiefs win on Sunday, it would bring them to within a game of the top spot in the division with a schedule that could put them in the driver's seat for a run at the division.

Chiefs have a favorable schedule

While their schedule is not overly easy, and they would still have key divisional games against the Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers remaining in the second half, they get both of those games at home, while still having winnable games against the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans remaining.

It is not a stretch to imagine them being favorites in every game they play the rest of the way, and as long as they have Patrick Mahomes on the field, they are never a team to be counted out.

The Broncos have a chance to deliver a potential knockout punch to the Chiefs on Sunday. But their injury situation may prevent that from happening. That alone is going to keep the Chiefs in it. And if they start getting some momentum built up in the second half, there could be no stopping them.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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