Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, December 25, 2025, 8:15 PM ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Network: AMZN
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
The hesitation to start Bo Nix this week has more to do with the Chiefs than with him. Kansas City is trotting out its JV squad and will likely struggle to put up points, neutralizing the need to air it out. Will he get enough production before the game is out of hand to warrant starting? Nix could easily disappoint if the Broncos score on the ground early, the Chiefs can’t do anything, and Denver is content with riding RJ Harvey and grinding out the clock. Nix isn’t a bad start by any means, just one with not as much upside as you’d hope.
Running Back
RJ Harvey: START, RB2
Tyler Badie: SIT
Jaleel McLaughlin: SIT
For all of us who debated Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins, the league-winning rookie running back may wind up being RJ Harvey. He’s scored five touchdowns in his last four games and has over 20 fantasy points in three of them. He’s involved in the pass game as well and is in line for a heavy workload if the Chiefs fail to put up a fight as expected. Kansas City has been a challenging fantasy matchup for running backs most of the season, but the team is improving. Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard combined for 207 yards of total offense and a touchdown against them last week. It’s Harvey’s turn to put a dent in them this week. He’s an easy RB2 with RB1 upside and a shot at being THE RB1 and carrying your fantasy team to championship glory.
Wide Receiver
Pat Bryant
Courtland Sutton: START, WR2
Troy Franklin: FLEX, WR4
Pat Bryant took a crushing hit that sent him to the hospital in Week 16, and he’s unsurprisingly expected to play on Sunday. Courtland Sutton has decisively reestablished himself as Denver’s WR1, commanding a 22.6% target share and accounting for 27.2% of the team’s receiving yards since the Broncos’ bye. Over that period, Sutton is averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game and has seven targets in the red zone, second among wide receivers over that period. He’s locked into lineups, but there is a dollop of risk associated with Sutton in Week 17. With a game total under 40 and an opposing offense that could struggle to put up 10 points, Denver may not have to pass a whole lot. Troy Franklin is in play as a FLEX as long as Bryant is sidelined, but I’m avoiding him if possible for that very reason.
Tight End
Adam Trautman: SIT
Evan Engram: SIT
Defense/Special Teams
Denver Broncos: START
Already a must-start, the Broncos should feast on the carcass of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. Top DST of Week 17.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Chris Oladokun: SIT
HA-DOU-KEN!
Sorry. No. You’re not starting Chris Oladokun.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt: SIT
Isiah Pacheco: SIT
Brashard Smith: SIT
With playoff hopes dead and the Chiefs on their third-string quarterback, the entire offense is toxic for fantasy purposes. Kareem Hunt‘s value this season was propped up by his propensity to get into the endzone, which the Chiefs won’t be seeing much of over the final two weeks. Isiah Pacheco caught six passes for 41 yards in Week 16 and could offer some low upside FLEX value, but I’m staying away from both him and Brashard Smith. Their ceiling is about as high as the roof of a gingerbread house, and their floor is as low as the mouse eating the crumbs.
Wide Receiver
Hollywood Brown: SIT
Xavier Worthy: SIT
Rashee Rice: SIT
Rashee Rice was still in concussion protocol at the time of writing, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to suit up Sunday. It doesn’t matter much for fantasy purposes, however, because even with his otherworldly talent, you’re not starting any Chiefs wide receiver with Chris Oladokun under center and a matchup against Denver.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: SIT
If one thing had been different, would everything be different today?
Yes. Yes, it would.
Two things, actually.
If Patrick Mahomes and/or Gardner Minshew had not gotten hurt, Travis Kelce would be in our lineups for what possibly are his last two games. But you can’t risk playing him with the state of the offense and Chris Oladokun at quarterback. If this really is the end, sometimes saying goodbye is death by a thousand cuts.
Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City Chiefs: STREAMER
The Chiefs can be considered a desperation streamer in deep leagues with an implied game total of 36.5, but there’s not much upside.