Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele is set for an expanded role on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The Chiefs will be resting many of their regulars this weekend after already locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the playoffs. Isiah Pacheco (rib) has already been ruled out, while Kareem Hunt is doubtful to play. It means that Steele, an undrafted free agent, could make the start in the final regular-season game. However, he's surely to share touches with Samaje Perine at the very least and will be facing a top-five defense as the Broncos look to punch their own playoff ticket with a win. The increased role will boost the 22-year-old's fantasy value in Week 18, although Steele has averaged only 3.3 yards per carry on his 48 rushing attempts in his first 16 NFL games. Despite increased opportunity, the upside remains limited for Steele in a bad matchup.

It will be hard to trust Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown in fantasy lineups in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Denver Broncos, mainly because of the fact that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is being rested for the playoffs. Additionally, Hollywood will be facing a top-five defense on the road in a hostile environment while working with backup QB Carson Wentz. Brown will be playing in just his third game of the year after recovering from a shoulder injury that he suffered in the preseason that required surgery. In his two games played, Hollywood has nine catches on 15 targets for 91 yards and no touchdowns. With the Chiefs having nothing to play for with the top seed in the AFC already locked up, Brown could also be at risk of not playing the entire game. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a flex play.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Butker knocked through his only field goal attempt in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs kicker also nailed two extra-point attempts in that contest. Butker will now face the Broncos in Denver. Given the strength of the Broncos defense and the lack of Patrick Mahomes in the offense, Butker could be asked to shoulder more of the scoring load. Butker is ranked as the 20th-best kicker this week, putting him outside of start-worthy range for most leagues. The Chiefs offense could be inept without several key starters, making Butker a risky play this week.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy may face the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Over the past few weeks, the rookie receiver has stepped up and become the focal point of the Kansas City offense. Given how important he is to the Chiefs, it would be reasonable to assume he could be rested in Week 18 along with the other starters. Worthy was not listed on the Chiefs injury report, so he could still play against the Broncos this week. The Broncos rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, making them a neutral matchup. Worthy is ranked WR42 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option this week. Fantasy managers starting Worthy should watch the pre-game inactives because the rookie may find himself on that list.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. Patrick Mahomes practiced in a limited fashion all week before being listed as doubtful for this week's contest. Since the Chiefs already clinched the top seed in the AFC, Mahomes and the other starters will likely be rested in the season finale. Wentz will face the Broncos, who rank 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. The 32-year-old is ranked QB15 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a viable option in 2QB leagues this week. Fantasy managers in standard redraft leagues should leave Wentz on the waiver wire.