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After beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Their 15-1 record is currently the best in the league and puts them two games ahead of the Buffalo Bills heading into the final week of the regular season.
As a result, the Chiefs' Week 18 matchup against the Broncos is meaningless. They are already locked into the No. 1 seed and have a first-round bye in the 2024-2025 playoffs.
So, will the Chiefs rest their starters in Week 18 against the Broncos? Let's dive in and find out.
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Will The Kansas City Chiefs Rest Starters In Week 18?
With the Chiefs playing for nothing in Week 18, the expectation is that the team will sit several starters against the Broncos. According to FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer, as of this past Sunday morning "they're not playing any of their starters.... they want to make sure they go into the playoffs healthy."
It's time for the Inside Scoop with @JayGlazer:
▫️ Chiefs expected to rest key starters in Week 18
▫️ Jalen Hurts has not cleared concussion protocol; Kenny Pickett will start for the Eagles
▫️ Entire Cowboys coaching staff's contracts expire in two weeks pic.twitter.com/dl1q4nIOc4— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024
Therefore, fantasy managers can expect the Chiefs to be without Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, DeAndre Hopkins, and Travis Kelce in Sunday's matchup against the Broncos. Given that Kansas City is listed as nine-point underdogs in Week 18, Vegas also believes that the team will be without those key starters.
Andy Reid has been known to rest his starters in meaningless Week 18 games, and that shouldn't change this weekend. Last year, Blaine Gabbert started at quarterback for the Chiefs in Week 18, and La'Mical Perine led the backfield with 21 carries for 76 yards.
Who Will Start For The Kansas City Chiefs In Week 18?
With several key starters expected to sit out the final game of the season, the Chiefs offense will look much different in Week 18. Carson Wentz will draw his first start of the year, and Samaje Perine and Carson Steele will likely lead this backfield against the Broncos. Pacheco has been ruled out due to a rib injury, and Kareem Hunt is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game.
"There are key players on that Chiefs team that could use some rest..
They're not gonna risk them against the Broncos..
This is a big game for Carson Wentz and some of the other players that are gonna be called on"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/4tkIU3k9uY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 30, 2024
As for pass catchers, Hopkins, Kelce, and Marquise Brown will all probably not be available for Week 18. There's a good chance that Xavier Worthy will see some snaps, but expect JuJu Smith-Schuster and Justin Watson to see most of the targets in the passing game.
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