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Kansas City Chiefs schedule: Odds, injury news, and how to watch Week 6 games vs. Broncos

Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY NETWORK
·7 min read
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid salutes the fans after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid salutes the fans after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) return to Arrowhead Stadium after two straight road games for their first divisional game of the season, a Thursday Night matchup with the Denver Broncos (1-4).

As has been the case for nearly a decade now, the Chiefs have put themselves in the driver's seat of the AFC West. However, they still have six division games to play and with quarterback Patrick Mahomes on pace for the worst statistical season of his career, there's reason to feel uneasy about Kansas City's division title chances if they start slipping up in these pivotal games. That said, Mahomes has never lost to Denver in his career, and he doesn't want that streak to end on Thursday.

How to watch Broncos at Chiefs, TV info and streaming:

The game is slated for an 8:15 pm ET kickoff. As is always the case with Thursday Night Football in not on national TV, the game can be streamed on Prime Video. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call.

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Notable fantasy football players and injury news:

Kansas City Chiefs

The big name on everyone's mind is Travis Kelce. The star tight end suffered an ankle injury during last Sunday's game against Minnesota. While Kelce did return to the field, and even scored a touchdown later in the game, his injury will be monitored heavily heading into Thursday.

Kelce did practice on Tuesday in a limited capacity. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had already said that Kelce was in line to practice on Tuesday, but it is still good to see him take reps. Kelce has yet to crack 70 yards in a single game all season. Despite the yardage, he is still Patrick Mahomes' preferred target in the passing game, earning 37 targets in the four games he's played.

The only other players who were limited at Tuesday's practice were linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle) and defensive end George Karlaftis (hamstring). Bolton has been out since Week 2, but when healthy, he's been one of the best players on that Chiefs defense. In 2022, Bolton was second in the NFL in total tackles (180). He also recorded two sacks and two interceptions.

Karlaftis, on the other hand, has had no trouble staying healthy. He started all 17 games for the Chiefs during his rookie campaign and has started all five games in 2023 so far. He's been a pivotal part of the Chiefs defense, a unit that has taken the league by storm. Through five weeks, the Chiefs are top-ten in completion percentage allowed and are one of only five teams to have allowed one or fewer rushing touchdown on the year. Karlaftis has played 80 percent of the Chiefs defensive snaps and his absence, should his hamstring keep him out, will certainly be felt.

Denver Broncos

Denver, meanwhile, has tons of injuries to keep track of. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee) was listed as a non-participant in both Monday and Tuesday's practices. Linebacker Frank Clark (illness) was also a non-participant. Linebacker Baron Browning (knee), center Lloyd Cushenberry III (quad), defensive tackle Mike Purcell (ribs), linebacker Justin Strnad (back), and safety Justin Simmons (hip) were all limited participants on Tuesday.

Good news for the Denver offense though, running back Javonte Williams (quad) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice. Williams missed Denver's Week 5 matchup with the Jets. In his stead, Jaleel McLaughlin played excellently, racking up 68 rushing yards on just nine carries. He also hauled in three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. McLaughlin's 68 yards on Sunday were more than Williams has had in a single game all season. Still, Williams' talents will be much appreciated for the Broncos' backfield, even if McLaughlin maintains a heavy role moving forward.

In other good news, tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) was a limited participant at Tuesday's practice. After a surprising rookie campaign, Dulcich suffered a serious injury during the team's Week 1 game against Las Vegas. He was put on the team's Injured Reserve, and Week 6 is the earliest he could return. While it is still unclear whether or not Dulcich will be able to suit up on Thursday, if he is healthy, he could be in for a big day if Nick Bolton is out for Kansas City.

Matchup News:

As stated earlier, Kansas City has not lost to Denver with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback. Thursday doesn't appear as though the streak will end. The Broncos defense has been atrocious to start the season, having tremendous trouble getting to the quarterback and having and even tougher time stopping their opponents' rushing attacks. They've surrendered at least 100 yards on the ground in four straight contests, and Chiefs' halfback Isiah Pacheco has been playing some of the best football of his young career.

Pacheco has found the endzone in each of the team's last three games and has averaged 4.5 yards a carry during that stretch. If the game gets out of hand early, I would still expect backup running backs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to have efficient, if not remarkable, days in front of their home crowd.

This could be a very tough game for Broncos' receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. The Chiefs' defense has yet to allow 200 or more yards to opposing wide receivers all season. That said, tight end Adam Trautman, or perhaps Greg Dulcich, if he's healthy, could be in for big days, especially if Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton remains out this week. The Chiefs have allowed six or more receptions to tight ends in four of their five games and have allowed over 75 receiving yards to tight ends in two straight contests.

Cowboy down: 49ers prove Cowboys aren't in their class as legitimate contenders

NFL Odds Week 6: Chiefs vs. Broncos lines, betting trends

The Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Broncos, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.

Betting odds, as of Tuesday afternoon:

  • Spread: Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5)

  • Moneyline: Kansas City (-600); Denver (+425)

  • Over/Under: 47.5

Chiefs and Broncos Schedules and Results:

*all times Central

Kansas City Chiefs:

Denver Broncos:

  • Week 1: Las Vegas Raiders; L 17-16 FINAL

  • Week 2: Washington Commanders; L 35-33 FINAL

  • Week 3: @ Miami Dolphins; L 70-20 FINAL

  • Week 4: @ Chicago Bears; W 31-28 FINAL

  • Week 5: New York Jets; L 31-21 FINAL

  • Week 6: @ Kansas City Chiefs; October 12, 7:15 pm (TNF)

  • Week 7: Green Bay Packers; October 22, 3:25 pm

  • Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs; October 29, 3:25 pm

  • Week 9: BYE

  • Week 10: @ Buffalo Bills; November 13, 7:15 pm (MNF)

  • Week 11: Minnesota Vikings; November 19, 7:20 pm (SNF)

  • Week 12: Cleveland Browns; November 26, 3:05 pm

  • Week 13: @ Houston Texans; December 3, 3:05 pm

  • Week 14: @ Los Angeles Chargers; December 10, 3:25 pm

  • Week 15: @ Detroit Lions; December 17, TBD

  • Week 16: New England Patriots; December 24, 7:15 pm (SNF)

  • Week 17: Los Angeles Chargers; December 31, 3:25 pm

  • Week 18: @ Las Vegas Raiders; January 7, TBD

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Broncos vs. Chiefs, TV, streaming, odds for Thursday Night