Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to rest Patrick Mahomes and start Carson Wentz at quarterback during Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. Schrager also expects that the Chiefs will promote third-year quarterback Chris Oladokun from the practice squad to play some snaps. Wentz may generate some appeal in two-quarterback leagues given the Chiefs' potent offense, but his value will be limited if he doesn't play the whole game. Meanwhile, although it will be good for the Chiefs to see what they have in Oladokun, a South Dakota State product, he has no NFL playing experience and won't get a full game's worth of reps. He can be avoided in all fantasy and gambling settings.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not expected to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 18, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. The Chiefs have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and presumably don't want to risk injury for Mahomes and some of their other key starters. The 29-year-old has led the Chiefs to a phenomenal 15-1 record, completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If Mahomes is confirmed as inactive next week, 2024 will go down as the first time since his rookie year that he finished with fewer than 4,000 passing yards. Carson Wentz is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs next weekend, but Schrager also expects that Chris Oladokun will be promoted from the practice squad to play some snaps.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson caught two passes for 60 yards and a touchdown in the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. The 28-year-old grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, so he got to score in his homecoming game. Watson received just two targets in this game but ended up third on the team in receiving yardage due to a 49-yard chunk play. Despite finding the endzone in this contest, Watson is typically the fourth or fifth option on any given play. His lack of volume in the passing game leads to volatility, but Watson has proven he can break off a big play in any game. The Chiefs clinched the top seed in the AFC with their Christmas Day win, meaning they no longer need to start their stars in the regular season. Watson and the rest of the supporting cast could see more playing time in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught eight passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. Worthy started the scoring in the first quarter and was only up from there. The rookie set new career highs in receptions and receiving yards against the strong Steelers defense in Week 17. Worthy has been the Chiefs WR1 over the last few weeks, and that usage has translated into valuable fantasy production. The 21-year-old contributed to this win and helped the Chiefs clinch the top seed in the AFC. Kansas City no longer has any incentive to win in the regular season, given they have already guaranteed themselves home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Worthy and the rest of the starters should be expected to rest in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) handled six carries for 18 yards in the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Pacheco was forced out of the game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury and did not return. The severity of Pacheco's rib injury is not yet known. The 25-year-old once again played second fiddle to veteran Kareem Hunt, but both backs were inefficient on the ground. Pacheco also did not receive any work in the passing game this week. With Hunt receiving more work every week and Pacheco picking up a rib injury, the Chiefs likely lean in Hunt's direction the next time both backs are active. The Chiefs have nothing left to play for in the regular season since they clinched the top seed in the AFC with this win. Pacheco should be expected to rest in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.