The Chiefs took a hit in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. They fell to 11-5, second in the AFC behind the Tennessee Titans, who are also 11-5. To make matters worse, the Chiefs’ 6-5 conference record puts them behind the Titans (7-4) in conference. They also lost head-to-head, so the only chance the Chiefs have to clinch top spot is to beat the Broncos in the final week of the season while the Titans lose.
The reason this means so much is simple. The Chiefs are 7-2 at home while they are 4-3 on the road. Arrowhead’s home advantage is tangible, and while the Chiefs have the talent to beat anyone in the NFL, any home advantage helps in the playoffs where things get weird. We are also in uncharted territory with an 18 week season so it would be helpful to stay within friendly confines.
All of this, however, is moot if the Chiefs lose to the Broncos on Saturday. Denver is 7-9 on the season, but it’s been a tough second half of the year. They were beaten by the Chiefs 22-9 when these two teams first met in Kansas City, and that was a poor performance for Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos had 404 yards to 216 for the Chiefs, but three turnovers finished off the Broncos.
While the season is over for Denver in terms of playoff hopes, there is a lot to build from there. It was widely accepted that the Broncos’ 3-0 start was a mirage caused by an oddly easy schedule, but looking ahead to next season, it is clear that there are several key holes to fill. They won’t have an overwhelmingly impressive draft pick, so the Broncos will have to be smart to address those needs, specifically as a quarterback with Teddy Bridgewater’s 1-year contract expiring and Drew Lock showing signs of improvement down the stretch. . Lock is expected to start against Kansas City.
Here’s what you need to know to watch Chiefs vs. Broncos this Saturday, including start time, TV channels and the full NFL week 18 schedule.
What channel are Chiefs vs. Broncos today?
- Television channel (national): ESPN
- Live broadcast: ESPN, fuboTV
Chiefs vs. Broncos will air nationally on ESPN in Week 18. This game will have a different feel, with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Laura Rutledge on the call. John Perry will be ESPN’s rules expert.
In Canada, viewers can watch Chiefs vs. Broncos with a DAZN subscription, including all NFL games.
Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Date: Saturday, January 8
- Kick off: 4:30 PM EST, 3:30 PM CST
Chiefs vs. Broncos is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. This will be one of ESPN’s nationally televised games as the network begins streaming more games ahead of wild card weekend.
2021 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
| Week | Date | Adversary | Start time | TV |
| one | September 12 | against browns | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| two | September 19th | in the crows | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
| 3 | September 26 | against chargers | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 4 | October 3 | in eagles | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 5 | October 10th | against invoices | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
| 6 | October the 17th | in Washington | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 7 | October 24th | into titans | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 8 | November 1st | against giants | 8:15 pm ET | ESPN |
| 9 | November 7 | against packers | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
| 10 | November 14th | in the assailants | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
| eleven | November 21 | against cowboys | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
| 12 | BYE | – | – | – |
| 13 | December 5th | against broncos | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 14 | December 12th | against assailants | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| fifteen | December 16 | in chargers | 8:20 pm ET | Fox / NFLN / Amazon |
| sixteen | December 26 | against the steelers | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| 17 | January 2 | in flares | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 18 | January the 8th | in the broncos | 4:30 pm ET | ESPN |
Denver Broncos 2021 Schedule
| Week | Date | Adversary | Start time | TV |
| one | September 12 | in giants | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
| two | September 19th | in jaguars | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 3 | September 26 | against airplanes | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
| 4 | October 3 | against crows | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| 5 | October 10th | in the steelworkers | 1 pm ET | Fox |
| 6 | October the 17th | against assailants | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| 7 | October 21 | in browns | 8:20 pm ET | Fox / NFLN / Amazon |
| 8 | 31 October | against Washington | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
| 9 | November 7 | in jeans | 1 pm ET | Fox |
| 10 | November 14th | against eagles | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| eleven | BYE | – | – | – |
| 12 | November 28 | against chargers | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
| 13 | December 5th | in bosses | 1 pm ET | CBS |
| 14 | December 12th | against lions | 4:05 pm ET | Fox |
| fifteen | Decembre 19th | against bengalis | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
| sixteen | December 26 | in the assailants | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
| 17 | January 2 | in chargers | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
| 18 | January the 8th | against bosses | 4:30 pm ET | ESPN |
NFL Week 18 Schedule
Saturday, January 8
| Play | Time (ET) | Television channel |
| Bosses @ Broncos | 4:30 pm | ESPN, ABC, ESPN +, fuboTV |
| Cowboys @ Aguilas | 20:15 | ESPN, ABC, ESPN +, fuboTV |
Sunday, January 9
| Play | Time (ET) | Television channel |
| Bengals @ Browns | 13:00 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Packers @ Lions | 13:00 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Bears @ Vikings | 13:00 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Washington @ Giants | 13:00 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Colts @ Jaguars | 13:00 | CBS, fuboTV |
| Steelers @ Ravens | 13:00 | CBS, fuboTV |
| Titans @ Texans | 13:00 | CBS, fuboTV |
| Santos @ Falcons | 16:25 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Jets @ Bills | 16:25 | CBS, fuboTV |
| 49ers @ Rams | 16:25 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Patriots @ Dolphins | 16:25 | CBS, fuboTV |
| Seahawks @ Cardinals | 16:25 | Fox, fuboTV |
| Panthers @ Buccaneers | 16:25 | CBS, fuboTV |
| Chargers @ Raiders | 20:20 | nbc, fuboTV |