Broncos: ‘We don’t care’

NFL

Approach to game unchanged despite Chiefs’ plan to rest Mahomes

Courtland Sutton (14) of the Broncos celebrates hauling in a touchdown pass from Bo Nix (10) against Josh Newton of the Bengals during the third quarter of the Bengals’ 30-24 win at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 28. AARON ONTIVEROZ — THE DENVER POST

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By Ryan McFadden

rmcfadden@denverpost.com

The Broncos are treating Sunday’s regular-season finale as a postseason game, even if the opposition views it differentially.

Denver needs a win over the Chiefs to secure its first playoff berth in eight years. And despite Kansas City’s plan to play mostly backups in Week 18’s matchup, the Broncos are not walking into Empower Field at Mile High Stadium expecting an easy win.

“We don’t care,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “Whoever has on shoulder pads and is wearing red, white and yellow, we have to beat them. The Broncos have to show up and win this game.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will start at quarterback, as two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and other key pieces will not play.

Wentz — the Pro Bowler turned journeyman — last started in 2023 with the Rams.

The 2016 second-overall draft pick threw for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to lead Los Angeles to a 21-20 victory over the 49ers — who played primarily backups in the second half of the regular-season finale.

Reid’s decision to rest key players comes after the Chiefs (15-1) locked up the top seed in the AFC with a commanding 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas. Still, Denver’s game plan remains unchanged. Head coach Sean Payton told the team, “Our focus has to be on the team in general.”

“Credit Andy Reid and his team. When you go 15-1, you are afforded those decisions. They’ve earned that,” Payton said. “For us, it’s about what we are seeing scheme-wise and being ready to play our best game.”

Broncos tight end Adam Trautman doesn’t have any plans to take this version of the Chiefs lightly.

He understands some of those players are competing for a job next season and expects them to “play hard as hell.”

Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said: “I think if you want to be a winner, it doesn’t really matter who lines up across from you.”

The last time Kansas City rested its starters was in the 2023 regular-season finale against the Chargers on the road. Led by then-backup Blaine Gabbert, they beat Los Angeles, 13-12. In addition to Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, running back Isiah Pacheco and then-Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Snead did not play. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, however, played in 46 defensive snaps.

Kansas City also rested its starters against the Broncos in 2017. Mahomes, who started in place of former quarterback Alex Smith, drove the Chiefs down the field before kicker Harrison Butker converted the game-winning field goal to beat Denver, 27-24.

The only thing on the Broncos’ mind is securing their 10th win and a trip to Buffalo for the wild-card round. Even if Denver doesn’t take care of business against Kansas City, the team can still get into the playoffs with losses by the Bengals and Dolphins this weekend.

But the Broncos prefer to clinch a postseason spot on their own terms.

“We would’ve loved to not delay this an extra two weeks,” McGlinchey said, referencing losses at Cincinnati and the Los Angeles Chargers, “but it would be awesome to do this in front of the home crowd. “I can’t wait to give this city an opportunity to cheer for us in the postseason.”