Final score: Chiefs 34, Broncos 28 (Broncos covered +9, O 44)

Postgame Stories

The Broncos outscored the Chiefs 14-7 in the second half and made this much closer than expected while covering the spread, but ultimately fell to KC for their ninth loss in 10 games and were officially eliminated from playoff contention. It put the nail on a lost season that started with such mile-high expectations for Denver. Before leaving with a rough-looking concussion, Russell Wilson managed to throw three touchdowns for the first time all season. Brett Rypien replaced him in relief and would be in line to start next week against the Cardinals if Wilson can’t clear the concussion protocol. On the other side, Patrick Mahomes had another mistake-riddled game and threw a season-high three interceptions, but was able to overcome it with his highest passing yardage in five games. 

Top Performers

QB Russell Wilson

Miraculously, Wilson (247-3-1 passing, 4-57-0 rushing, 26.5 total fantasy points) outscored Patrick Mahomes by posting just his second top-3 weekly quarterback finish all season. In the process, Wilson also rumbled for a season-high in rushing yards in a game that was certainly the kind of vintage performance that reminded the Broncos why they made the blockbuster trade for him in the offseason in the first place. Wilson suffered his blow to the head on an early fourth quarter dive for the endzone, and because he was ruled out so quickly, he will likely be on the much iffier side of the Broncos’ Week 15 meeting with Arizona.

WR Jerry Jeudy

Thanks to Wilson putting up his best performance all season and Courtland Sutton’s (hamstring) absence, Jeudy (8-73-3 receiving, nine targets, 29.3 total fantasy points) exploded for a WR1 finish and his only other top-10 weekly finish since the season opener. However, fantasy managers caught a big break because it could have been snuffed out before halftime. Late in the second quarter, Jeudy was irate at officials for a no-call on what he thought was pass interference, throwing a tantrum that included ripping off his helmet (usually an automatic unsportsmanlike penalty) and seemingly bumping into a line judge. This all happened before any of Jeudy’s touchdowns, so this was a potentially a missed ejection call by the refs that could have significantly altered fantasy playoff landscapes across countless leagues.

Biggest Busts

RB Latavius Murray

Hopefully not many fantasy managers were relying on Murray (8-32-0 rushing, three catches for -1 yards, 4.6 total fantasy points) to earn a playoff berth, but he was set up for potential low-end RB2 numbers in this matchup and disappointed. Falling behind 27-0 approaching halftime definitely flipped the game script heavily away from the run game, but it was surprising that things didn’t become more balanced once it became a one-possession contest and lead to double-digit carries for Murray. The Chiefs have given up the 10th-most points to opposing running backs, so it was a bit of a letdown overall. Hopefully nobody will need to rely on him in the fantasy playoffs in such a low-floor offense.

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Final score: Panthers 30, Seahawks 24 (Panthers covered +3.5, O 44.5)

Postgame Stories

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