NFL
Broncos +2.5 over Chiefs (loss)
Rotation #481 / 8:15  PM EST

As you already know, I don’t like playing night games just because it’s the only game on television. That is by far the quickest way to burn through units. So, the first question is whether I’d play this game on a regular Sunday card. The answer is yes. It’s an interesting matchup because both starting quarterbacks are coming off injuries that ended their seasons last year. How they bounce back is a mystery. Both teams are bringing in new offensive coordinators, and tonight’s winds could exceed 25 mph in some gusty situations. That points to the running game, the trenches, and the defenses. Kenneth Walker is the new featured back in Kansas City after coming over from Seattle. Walker will need to gel with an offensive line that is missing left tackle Josh Simmons and will start Indiana rookie Kahlil Benson. Denver returns its 1-2 punch of J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey. Both defensive units are very good, but the Broncos have more experienced players on both the offensive and defensive lines. I think Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes could have a rough time behind his tackles, and we could see the Broncos generate consistent pressure. The Chiefs weren’t good enough in one-score games last year. Week 1 battles are tough to predict, especially since players don’t play much, if at all, during the preseason anymore. I understand why Kansas City is favored, as Arrowhead is a hostile environment, but the underdog getting a few points of wiggle room looks like good value. Take the Broncos.