Christmas night at Arrowhead was supposed to be a heavyweight AFC West showdown. Instead, it has turned into a test of survival for Kansas City — and a massive opportunity for Denver. The Denver Broncos arrive in Kansas City looking to respond after a shock Week 16 loss, while the Kansas City Chiefs are searching for answers after a brutal stretch and a quarterback room that’s been flipped upside down.

So… who’s starting at QB for the Chiefs tonight?

With Patrick Mahomes sidelined and Gardner Minshew also out after a knee injury, the Chiefs are expected to start Chris Oladokun on Christmas night — a huge shift for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl expectations. Mahomes’ injury was the headline, but the Week 16 collapse added insult: Kansas City were blown out 26–9 by the Titans, and the offense never truly found rhythm. (For the latest game listing and start time details, see the broadcast info on FOX Sports.)

Oladokun did show some composure when he took over last week, completing 11 of 16 for 111 yards. But the pressure ramps up fast here: this is a divisional game, on a holiday stage, and against a Broncos defense that will smell blood if Kansas City fall behind early.

Broncos’ mindset: urgency, edge — and a chance to end the Arrowhead nightmare

Denver’s season has been built on consistency and momentum — which is why last week’s stumble against Jacksonville hit so hard. The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak, and it also forced a conversation about how Denver wants to close games when the margins get tight.

There’s also history weighing on this trip. The Broncos have suffered through a long run of misery in Kansas City, including a nine-game losing streak at Arrowhead. If Denver want to be taken seriously as a January threat, breaking that pattern matters — not just for standings, but for belief.

What Denver’s game plan could look like

Last week, Denver were forced into a pass-heavy script — Bo Nix threw 47 times — but Christmas night should set up differently. If the Broncos get an early lead, this has the look of a game where Denver can dictate tempo and keep Arrowhead quiet.

That’s where RJ Harvey becomes the name to watch. Even in a rough team performance last week, he flashed efficiency on limited carries, and this matchup screams “second-half workload” if Denver control the scoreboard. Expect Denver to lean into the run earlier than they did against Jacksonville, using play-action and short throws to keep Kansas City from pinning their ears back.

Bo Nix factor: legs in the red zone

If you’re watching for a momentum-swing moment, keep an eye on Nix near the goal line. He’s already shown a willingness to keep the ball in tight spaces this season, and in a game projected by many to be lower scoring, a quarterback keeper at the pylon can be the difference between “comfortable” and “nervy.”

How to watch Broncos vs Chiefs on Christmas Day

• Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
• TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
• Kickoff: Listed as 8:15 p.m. ET for the national broadcast window

If you’re catching up on the Chiefs’ quarterback situation, ESPN’s reporting on the injuries helps explain why Kansas City are down to emergency options at the worst possible time.

Prediction vibe: Denver should control it — but divisional games don’t behave

On paper, Denver are the more complete team right now, and Kansas City’s injuries push them toward a simplified, conservative plan. Still, this is the AFC West at Arrowhead on Christmas night — weird swings happen, and the Chiefs’ best path is to drag the game into the fourth quarter and hope the crowd creates chaos.

For Denver, the message is simple: start fast, protect the ball, and make Kansas City chase points with a quarterback in his first NFL start.

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Written by James Carter (Swikblog NFL Correspondent) • About Us