Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 4:25 PM ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Network: CBS
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
A must-start more often than not, Patrick Mahomes hasn’t thrown a touchdown since Week 4 (KC was on bye Week 5) and has one 300+ passing game all season. There’s a chance Mahomes gets Rashee Rice back, which would be a significant bump to Patty’s potential production. But considering his recent struggles and Denver is a bottom-10 matchup, leave “Showtime” for Superflex if you can.
Running Back
Kenneth Walker: START, RB1
Emmett Johnson: SIT
Jaydn Ott: SIT
Starting Kenneth Walker III should be automatic. His career kinda reminds me of Reese’s Pieces. Sometimes all it takes is the right opportunity to remind everyone how good you are. Reese’s Pieces had E.T. Walker just needs the ball.
Wide Receiver
Rashee Rice: START, WR3 (if active)
Xavier Worthy: FLEX, WR4, (SIT if Rice active)
Jalen Royals: SIT
It was reported that Rashee Rice returned to practice Wednesday and hopes to play for the first time since his Week 4 hamstring injury, but at the time of writing it was still a coin toss if he’d actually suit up. If he does, Rice should get peppered with targets and checks in as a WR3 with upside. Xavier Worthy has had a couple of productive games with Rice out, but if Rice returns, is no longer Worthy of starting.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: START, TE1
Mr. Taylor Swift is a top-10 tight end this season in a top-10 matchup. Sometimes, it’s simple.
Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City Chiefs: START
Kansas City allows the second-fewest points per game, and Denver is tied for the eighth-fewest points scored.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Bo Nix had just his second multi-touchdown game this season thanks to his second rushing touchdown of the season, but I prefer not to start him in Week 8. The Chiefs have allowed just five touchdown passes all season and hold opposing offenses to under 20 points per game. I feel a bit better about his season-long outlook, but Bo goes… to the bench.
Running Back
Jonah Coleman: FLEX, RB3
RJ Harvey: FLEX, RB3
J.K. Dobbins: FLEX, RB4
Jonah Coleman was activated from the IR and immediately got 11 combined carries and targets, making a jumbled mess of a backfield even more jumbled-er. The Chiefs allow just 3.4 yards per carry, second-lowest in the league, and it’s impossible to tell how work will be dished out in the Denver backfield on a weekly basis. All three of he, RJ Harvey, and J.K. Dobbins are talented backs who are starting-caliber fantasy assets. But with a hazy touch distribution, all three are start-and-pray FLEX plays. Coleman is our favorite to roster for the rest of the season, though.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle: FLEX, WR4
Courtland Sutton: SIT
Troy Franklin: SIT
Jaylen Waddle avoided anything serious, but did reaggravate his previous chest injury in Week 7, making his status for Week 8 unclear at the time of writing. Even if he’s active, against a Chiefs defense that’s allowed just one touchdown to receivers and the third-fewest points to the position, you’re better off benching him. He’s startable as a FLEX if he’s a go, but a huge risk considering the matchup and chance of leaving early. With or without Waddle, I’m not starting Courtland Sutton or any other Broncos receiver with Nix struggling and the Chiefs’ lockdown defense.
Tight End
Evan Engram: SIT
Kansas City gives up the fifth-most points to tight ends, and somehow that still isn’t enough to get Evan Engram in a fantasy lineup. He’s scored more than 3.3 fantasy points twice this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Denver Broncos: START
Denver is tied for the fourth-most sacks per game, and this total sits at 41.5 at the time of writing.