Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was limited during practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs are expected to rest key starters, including Mahomes, in Week 18, so his appearance on the injury report isn't something worth worrying about. In his age-29 season, Mahomes threw for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading his Chiefs to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Carson Wentz should start at quarterback against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but there's been speculation that the Chiefs could also give Chris Oladokun some snaps under center.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele has been told that he'll see extra work in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The specifics of Steele's role are unclear, but it's likely that the Chiefs will be resting Isiah Pacheco (ribs) with the team having nothing to play for with the No. 1 seed already locked up in the AFC for the postseason. Kareem Hunt could be active this weekend, but he might not see the field much before being pulled. So if fantasy managers playing DFS contests want any exposure to KC's backfield with backup quarterback Carson Wentz leading the offense, they'll want to look to the 22-year-old Steele as their man. Still, Steele will have limited upside against a top-five defense on the road in Denver. Steele has averaged a dismal 3.3 yards per carry on his 48 rushing attempts and hasn't found the end zone in 16 games in 2024.

In addition to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes being rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Denver Broncos, ESPN's Adam Schefter suggests that tight end Travis Kelce, running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs), defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end George Karlaftis and defensive back Trent McDuffie could all sit out. The Chiefs have already secured the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they will rest some key players on both sides of the ball. Carson Wentz will make his first start of the season under center for KC in a game that the Broncos must win to land the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. If the 35-year-old Kelce does start, he probably won't stick around long before being pulled, so fantasy managers playing DFS in Week 18 should look to avoid him.

According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) will not practice on Wednesday. Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid noted that the running back will be available for the playoffs but will be held out of practice this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the week but should not expect him to suit up in Week 18, as the Chiefs are already locked into the No.1 seed in the AFC. This means that Pacheco will have another week off before they return to action in the Divisional Round. Since returning in Week 13 from a fractured fibula that kept him sidelined through most of the season, he averaged just over ten total touches per game, operating as the "1A" in the backfield alongside Kareem Hunt. Given his injury history this season, Hunt will likely continue to limit his overall ceiling.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Tuesday that he might play both quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Saturday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Jameis Winston (shoulder) is likely to serve as the emergency third QB for the third straight week. The 25-year-old Thompson-Robinson struggled in his second straight start in the 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, going 24-for-47 for 170 yards with an interception. He also carried the ball four times for 10 yards and lost a fumble. DTR is not the future at the position in Cleveland, so the Browns could get Zappe a little run as the team limps to the finish line in 2024. Obviously for fantasy purposes, nobody should have either Thompson-Robinson or Zappe in their starting lineups in Week 18.