2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 17

Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) at Denver Broncos (5-10)

On the surface, this would seem like a throw-away game for the Kansas City Chiefs. The No. 4 seed in the AFC is already theirs, so they gain nothing by winning this one other than a better overall record. Still, wouldn’t it be great to build some momentum heading into the playoffs?

It also happens that the Chiefs have been unstoppable in recent weeks. Since Matt Nagy took over as the playcaller, Kansas City has looked like the team that started 2017 with a 5-0 record. Even the defense has been better in the last three contests, as they’ve given up an average of 13.6 points per game.

Then there’s the whole part where the Denver Broncos will be led into battle by either Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch. Neither has shown much under center in Denver, and I don’t expect that to suddenly change. The offense will flounder, giving the Chiefs even more opportunities to do work with the football.

At least this way, the Broncos maintain their position during the draft. It’s back to the drawing board for John Elway and Co. As for the Chiefs, they get a small confidence boost with the Wild Card Round just around the corner.

Prediction: Chiefs win 27-17