Our final Christmas Day game will be between two teams that couldn't look more different, with the 12-3 Denver Broncos going against the 6-9 Kansas City Chiefs. The Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention and will likely be starting a third-string quarterback. Meanwhile, the Broncos are at the top of the AFC playoff picture and can move a step closer to securing the number-one seed in the conference with a victory.

Things went from bad to worse last weekend for the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only did they lose to the Tennessee Titans, but backup quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending ACL injury. That means KC's starter for this game will be either Chris Oladokun or Shane Buechele, who the Chiefs just signed off of the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. Getting those guys acclimated to the starting offense on a short week will be a challenge for head coach Andy Reid.

“You back it up a bit formation-wise, and then you’ve got a lot of guys that are new to it and learning,” he said. “We're still able to do enough, for sure.”

If Chris Oladokun does end up getting the nod, it'll be his first start at the NFL level. In relief of Gardner Minshew last week, he went 11 of 16 passing for 111 yards and another seven yards on the ground.

“Listen, he looks forward to every week,” Reid said of the former seventh-round pick. “He prepares himself every week to go, so that's been an easy transition as far as him with the verbiage and such. He jumps in and gets it. He sits behind the offensive drill there, and they mock it. The two backup quarterbacks mock it as if they're in. They make the calls to David (Girardi) and then go about it. So they stay fresh on that, and he's in a pretty good position that way.”

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce can go out with a bang since this will be KC's last home game of the regular season. Andy Reid wasn't able to provide any insight into what the future holds for Kelce and if this will be his last game in Kansas City.

“I don't know if it is or not. I haven't talked to him, but I think his numbers and personality and the person - I think - speak for themselves,” Reid said. “Phenomenal person, great for the community, has been great for the community. He's everything you want from a player representing an organization.”

When preparing for the Broncos, the Chiefs don't need any extra motivation going against a longtime AFC West rival.

“I mean, listen, it's a division opponent. They beat us the last time. Our guys’ve got a lot of pride. We'd like to find a way to win the game, to say that we won the game. I'm always chasing the feeling in the locker room,” explained defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “I mean, I've been in this city a long time, and - to me - the best moment, the best hour of my life is every time we win a game, and we're in the locker room, and we're hugging. That to me, that's special... So, we're still chasing that. It doesn't matter who it's against or when it is or where we're playing.”

Last week, Denver’s 11-game win streak came to an end after the Broncos lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-20. On a short week, Denver doesn't have time to stew on the loss; they have to turn the page and get ready for the Chiefs.

“We've been able to - week by week - get on to the next opponent, and that same thing has to exist obviously coming off a loss,” head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Monday. "Look, this is a confident team. And I would say there wasn't a guy in the locker room yesterday… that felt like we didn't get beat. This wasn't officiating. We got beat, and Jacksonville was a better team yesterday, and I think our players know that.”

The Broncos won't be lacking motivation. Not only can Denver clinch the AFC West with a win and a Los Angeles Chargers loss, but they can also lock up the number-one seed in the AFC if the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots lose as well. But first, they'll have to take care of business against KC, even though they're heavily favored to win.

“I think we try to stay in touch with the game. This game specifically, every one of these players understands the significance of where we're at with two games left in the season,” Payton said on December 23rd. “I mean, this is a three-day work week. And so, today's meeting this morning was where we're at, the opponent we're playing, what’s taken place since the last time we played them.”

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix admitted that the short week is made easier by the fact that they have already played KC once this season. Though the Chiefs are banged up, they’ll still put forward a good effort.

“Thank goodness it's a team that I've played already in the year, so it feels like an extension of the first game,” Nix explained. “So, it's sort of strange, but it’s just all the retention, all the plays, and all the looks that you could get with those plays. You're limited by a couple days - three days, I guess, of work - that normally you get that you’ve got to cram in on shorter notice. But, at the same time, they do too, so they're not going to be able to do what they would on a normal week, but they're still going to be multiple. They’ve got a great defense. They’ve got a great front, really good back end. So, they're going to play hard. They're going to play well. And, I know it hasn't been the season that they wanted, but they're still the Chiefs.”

Prediction for Denver Broncos (-13.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs

Bo Nix is just being nice. If he were being honest, he would say that the Broncos are going to kill the Chiefs. The team with the most sacks in the NFL (63) will either be going against a quarterback in Oladokun, who is making his first start, or Shane Buechele, who has never thrown a pass during an NFL regular-season game. However you frame it, KC’s quarterback is in for a rough day. This one is going to turn ugly in a hurry. Turnovers by the inexperienced quarterback will set up Denver with short scoring drives. From there, they'll be able to pound the rock and run away with this game.

Prediction: Broncos 30 - 9 Chiefs

How to watch Denver Broncos (-13.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs

Broncos @ Chiefs starts at 8:15 p.m. EDT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. You can watch it on Netflix.

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling:

• Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-Call GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org

• CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY – Call 1-800-GAMBLER

• AZ- Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP

• IA – Call 1-800-BETS-OFF

• KS, NV – Call 1-800-522-4700

• KY – Call 1-800 GAMBLER, 18+

• MI – Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help

• MA – Call 1-800-327-5050

• NC – Call – 1-800-662-4357

• NY- Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it is important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.

While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.

The following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:

21+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER