Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) returned to the practice field on Friday, according to head coach Andy Reid. It's not an official practice for the Chiefs since they are on bye for the wild-card round of the playoffs this week, but it's a good sign for Pacheco's availability next week for the Divisional Round. Along with most of the Chiefs regulars, the 25-year-old was held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos so that he could rest up for the postseason. The extra rest should help Pacheco get back on the field for the Divisional Round, but we'll have a better idea of his status once the Chiefs resume official practices next week. If he's active next weekend, Pacheco could share more work with backfield mate Kareem Hunt. Pacheco played in a career-low seven games in 2024 due to a broken leg and may not be back to full speed until next season.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele handled eight carries for 25 yards and two catches for two yards in the 0-38 loss to the Denver Broncos. Steele was the clear lead back for the Chiefs, but he could not do much with his opportunities. The rookie out of UCLA stepped into the lead role with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt ruled out for this game. Steele averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, but no other Chief carried the ball multiple times in this contest. The next time the Chiefs suit up will be against the winner of the wild card matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans. Steele will likely be relegated to his RB3 role when the Chiefs play their next game.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio caught two passes for 48 yards in the 0-38 loss to the Denver Broncos. Remigio led the Chiefs in receptions, receiving yards, and targets in this week's contest. Remigio hauled in a team-long 25-yard reception in this game. With the Kansas City starters relegated to the bench in this contest, Remigio caught his first passes of the season. The next game for the Chiefs will be against the winner of the wildcard matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans. Given Kansas City's depth at wide receiver, Remigio will likely be uninvolved once the starters are active again.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (coach's decision) and tight end Travis Kelce (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Denver Broncos. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Chiefs' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Mahomes finishes the regular season with 3,928 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Meanwhile, Kelce registered 97 catches, 823 yards, and three touchdowns, ranking outside the top three fantasy tight ends for the first time since 2015. Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for Kansas City while Noah Gray and Peyton Hendershot operate as the Chiefs' top tight ends.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 16 of his 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while adding two yards on two carries in a 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. Zappe made his first and only start of the season for the Browns in the finale while showing spotty accuracy and a lack of arm strength in the lopsided loss. His first interception came in the first quarter and was a back-breaker as it was thrown right into the hands of rookie corner Nate Wiggins, who returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. The Browns turned to Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead a drive at the end of the first quarter but he only wound up taking six snaps in the contest before the team reinserted Zappe at the beginning of the second quarter. An unrestricted free-agent heading into the offseason, Zappe will look to catch on as a backup quarterback somewhere ahead of the 2025 season.