It is the final stretch. If you’re asking who do the broncos play sunday, you probably already know the stakes are weirdly high and low at the same time. This Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Denver Broncos are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. It is a divisional rivalry that usually feels like a foregone conclusion, but this year? Things feel a bit different in the Mile High City.
The air is thin, the grass is freezing, and the narrative around Sean Payton’s squad has shifted from "can they survive?" to "how much can they disrupt the playoff seeding?"
Kansas City is coming into town with their usual swagger, though Patrick Mahomes has looked slightly more human this season than in years past. Still, "human" for Mahomes is better than elite for about 28 other quarterbacks in the league. For Denver, this isn't just a game on the calendar. It’s a chance to sweep a season series or at least reclaim some dignity in a rivalry that has been, frankly, one-sided for a decade.
The Logistics of Sunday’s Kickoff
The game is scheduled for a late afternoon slot. We are looking at a 2:25 PM MST kickoff. If you are heading to the stadium, dress for the elements. January in Denver doesn't care about your team spirit; it cares about wind chill.
You can catch the broadcast on CBS. It’s the "A-team" window, so expect the big cameras and the national spotlight. For the locals, KOA 850 AM remains the gold standard for radio coverage because, let's be honest, Dave Logan’s voice just sounds like Broncos football.
Breaking Down the Matchup
When you look at who do the broncos play sunday, the first thing that jumps out is the defensive chess match. Vance Joseph has spent the last three seasons reinventing himself as a defensive coordinator. He’s gone from "the guy who got fired" to "the guy who might be the best DC in the AFC West."
Denver’s secondary is the crown jewel here. Patrick Surtain II is basically a vacuum on the perimeter. Watching him shadow whoever the Chiefs are pretending is their WR1 this week is worth the price of admission alone. But the real battle is in the trenches.
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Can Denver’s Front Seven Hold?
The Chiefs' offensive line has been a bit of a rotating door due to injuries this season. Denver needs to exploit that. If they can’t get home with a four-man rush, Mahomes will just dance around until someone breaks free in the scramble drill. We've seen it a thousand times. It’s exhausting.
- Pressure the middle. Mahomes hates pressure up the gut more than edge pressure because it ruins his vision.
- Maintain lane discipline. You can't just fly upfield; you have to keep him in the pocket.
- Tackling. Honestly, just tackle. No arm tackles.
Denver’s linebacker corps has been surprisingly sturdy. They aren't the fastest group in the league, but they play downhill. They’ll need that physicality because Travis Kelce—even at this stage of his career—is still the ultimate "third-and-long" nightmare.
The Offensive Identity Crisis
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos are still finding themselves. Sean Payton’s playbook is famously dense. It’s like a phone book from 1995. It’s huge, it’s complicated, and sometimes it feels a little outdated, but when it works, it’s beautiful.
The run game has to be the focal point. The Chiefs' defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, loves to blitz. They will send the house. They will send the neighbors. They will send people you didn't even know were on the roster.
The best way to neutralize that? Power football.
If Denver can stay in third-and-short situations, they have a chance. If they get behind the sticks and have to drop back 40 times? It’s going to be a long afternoon for the home crowd. The offensive line has been better at pass protection lately, but the interior still struggles with elite speed rushes. Chris Jones is still a game-wrecker. You have to double-team him. If you don't, your quarterback is going to be picking turf out of his facemask by the second quarter.
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Why This Game Matters for 2026 and Beyond
Some fans might say, "Who cares? The playoffs are already set."
That’s a loser’s mentality.
In the NFL, especially in the AFC West, these late-season games are scouting reports for the following year. They are evaluations. Sean Payton is looking to see who survives the "wash." Players are playing for their jobs, their bonuses, and their spots on the 2026 roster.
The Broncos have a lot of cap space coming up. They have picks. But they need to know if their current core can actually stand up to the gold standard of the division. If you get blown out at home in Week 18, it sends a signal to the front office that the "rebuild" isn't as far along as they thought.
Weather and Home Field Advantage
Mile High is a different beast in January. The ball is harder. It doesn't travel as far unless you're kicking it, in which case it flies. The thin air combined with the cold makes recovery times slower for visiting teams.
Chiefs fans usually travel well, but the Broncos faithful have been louder this year. There’s a sense of "enough is enough." The drought of winning seasons has been long. Every Sunday feels like a chance to break the curse.
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Key Stats to Watch
- Turnover Margin: When Denver wins the turnover battle, they win the game. It sounds like a cliché because it is, but for this specific team, it's the only path to victory.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Kansas City is elite at holding teams to field goals. Denver has to find the end zone.
- Third Down Conversions: If the Broncos can keep the chains moving and keep Mahomes on the sideline, they win the time of possession battle.
Practical Steps for Sunday
If you're watching from home, make sure your streaming service is updated. NFL Sunday Ticket or your local CBS affiliate are the way to go. If you're going to the game, the parking lots open four hours before kickoff. Tailgating is basically a religion in the South Lots.
Don't forget that Empower Field is a cashless stadium. If you try to buy a bratwurst with a twenty-dollar bill, you’re going to be disappointed. Bring the card or use your phone.
Regarding the roster, keep an eye on the Friday injury report. Any lingering issues with the starting tackles will be a massive red flag. The Broncos have struggled with depth at the tackle position all year, and the Chiefs' defensive ends are opportunistic.
Final Thoughts on the Matchup
Ultimately, asking who do the broncos play sunday leads you to the biggest boss in the AFC. It’s a measuring stick game. It’s a rivalry game. It’s a chance to end the season on a high note and carry some actual, tangible momentum into the offseason.
Stop worrying about draft position for one afternoon. Just watch the football.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify the Final Injury Report: Check the official Broncos website on Friday afternoon to see who is officially "Out" or "Questionable."
- Check the Weather: Monitor the hourly forecast for Denver on Sunday morning; a sudden snow squall changes the entire betting line and game plan.
- Set Your Lineup: If you're in a late-season fantasy league or DFS tournament, be wary of "rest" scenarios for the Chiefs if they’ve already locked in their seed.
- Arrive Early: If attending in person, aim to be through the gates 45 minutes before kickoff to avoid the bottleneck at the security scanners.
- Gear Up: Ensure you have the NFL+ app ready if you are traveling and need to listen to the home-call broadcast on the go.
The season might be ending, but the intensity of the AFC West never actually fades. Enjoy the game.