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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back with the ball before attempting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NFL picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back with the ball before attempting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL picks; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos (4-11) at Kansas City Chiefs (12-3)

Sunday, January 1, 1:00 PM ET

Denver Broncos fans are probably wondering if this game even needs to be played at this point.

With the highest percentage of salary cap on injured reserve out of any team in the league along with Russell Wilson playing as bad as we’ve ever seen him play (3 interceptions in a blowout loss to the Rams on Christmas), what could go wrong with the 4-11 Broncos playing in Kansas City?

A few weeks back, the Broncos actually gave the Chiefs a game despite Kansas City getting out to a 27-0 lead to start the game. The Broncos were able to climb back into the game thanks to three interceptions and some timely “good” offense which was uncharacteristic of the rest of this season. It wasn’t until Russell Wilson suffered a concussion that the Broncos’ comeback hopes seemed truly dashed in their last matchup vs. the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have simply had the Broncos’ number in recent years, and that’s putting it mildly. The Broncos haven’t beaten the Chiefs since a Week 2 matchup back in the 2015 season. Patrick Mahomes has owned Denver. The Chiefs seemingly can beat the Broncos even when Mahomes plays poorly against them, and frankly, he has in some of the matchups Kansas City has won against Denver since 2017.

Mahomes has 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions against the Broncos in his career compared to 21 and 5 against the Chargers and 26 and 3 against the Raiders. He’s been sacked by the Broncos (16 times) more than any other team. The Broncos have been capable of playing Mahomes and the Chiefs pretty tough but never quite good enough.

Coming off the heels of a blowout 51-14 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, how can you put together NFL picks for this week and take the Broncos on the road against Mahomes? Maybe the Broncos keep it close…again.

Prediction: Chiefs win 27-20

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