Here is who national experts are predicting will win Denver Broncos at KC Chiefs game

The Chiefs’ game Thursday night will be a first in one respect during Patrick Mahomes’ career.

James Palmer of the NFL Network said Mahomes has never started against a team ranked last in scoring defense. The Broncos, who will be at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, are No. 32 in that category.

And the Broncos defense will be without former Chiefs star Frank Clark. He’s been ruled out for the game, according to DenverSports.com, because of an illness. And reports say the Broncos are poised to trade Clark.

Will Clark’s absence help the Chiefs? Will Mahomes thrive against the league’s worst defense?

Here is who 61 national experts are predicting will win Thursday’s game, which kicks off at 7:15 p.m. and airs on Amazon Prime and KSHB (Ch. 41) in KC.

A 38-14 Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. This is part of what he wrote: “Patrick Mahomes is 11-0 against the Broncos, his best record easily against any NFL opponent. He owns them whether their defense is good or bad, and right now, it’s downright terrible after making the Jets look great. The Broncos’ only win came in a road squeaker at the Bears. This number at home on a short week is too low for Mahomes, especially with Travis Kelce looking healthy enough to go.”

The Chiefs will win 30-22, says the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. This is an excerpt from his story: “Peyton Manning was Denver’s quarterback the most recent time the Broncos beat Kansas City in 2015.There’s no reason to think that streak of 15 straight losses will end when the Broncos line up against two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a prime-time matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.”

A 33-17 Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff. He wrote: “The Chiefs have benefited from some controversial calls and no-calls in recent weeks. There won’t be any controversy about their win over the Broncos.”

A Chiefs victory is the prediction from four Denver Post writers: Parker Gabriel (37-24 final score), Ryan McFadden (35-21 final score), Mark Kiszla (41-20), Sean Keeler (31-17). This is what McFadden wrote: “(Russell) Wilson is going to put up some decent numbers against Kansas City. But decent is not enough, especially when the defense is allowing nearly 40 points a game. The Broncos will fall deeper into the black abyss, as this game might be over at halftime.”

A Chiefs win is the pick for all five NFL.com writers: Ali Bhanpuri (28-18 final score), Tom Blair (28-21), Brooke Cersosimo (28-17), Gennaro Filice (27-17) and Dan Parr (31-17). Here is an excerpt of what Filice wrote: “given the uncertain status of Travis Kelce’s ankle and unrefined makeup of Kansas City’s receiving corps, Andy Reid could continue leaning on the second-year back who’s scored a rushing touchdown in each of the past three games. Consequently, look for a Chiefs victory that’s more slow burn than laser light show.”

The Chiefs will win 28-17, says Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. He wrote: “Even if tight end Travis Kelce sits out, the Chiefs should be fine. The defense is the best it’s been in years, the offense is doing enough, and QB Patrick Mahomes makes up for any shortcomings.”

The Chiefs will win 40-10, says Fox Sports’ Geoff Schwartz. This is part of what he wrote: “The Broncos have won a Super Bowl more recently than they’ve beaten the Chiefs. Their offense has shown the ability to score points at times, but it is streaky more than consistent: 21 points in the first 20 minutes against the Commanders and then not another touchdown until a Hail Mary in the final seconds; seven first-half points against the Bears before 24 second-half points.”

All eight writers at CBS Sports think the Chiefs will win: Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Jared Dubin, Dave Richard, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan and Jamey Eisenberg. Prisco sees a 34-23 final. This is what he wrote:”The Broncos are 1-4 coming off a home loss to the Jets. They have defensive issues, which is never a good thing against Patrick Mahomes. The weather might be bad in this one, which would help Denver. But it doesn’t really matter. Look for the Chiefs to roll.”

Each of the 12 writers at the Athletic picked the Chiefs: Tashan Reed, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Ben Standig, Zack Rosenblatt, Austin Mock, Nick Kosmider, Zac Jackson, Josh Kendall, Zak Keefer, Chad Graff, Larry Holder and Mark Kaboly. This is from that story: “Kansas City’s offense hasn’t been quite as dominant this season as it was a year ago (they have been held to 28 points or less in four of their first five games), and tight end Travis Kelce is questionable with an ankle injury that he suffered in Sunday’s game against Minnesota. But Mahomes is still capable of lighting up any defense in the NFL, and that is especially true against a team as bad as Denver has been this season.”

Six of seven experts at ESPN see the Chiefs winning: Mike Clay, Dan Graziano, Kimberly Martin, Moses Moody, Jason Reid and Seth Wickersham. Picking the Broncos: Jeremy Fowler.

The seven experts at Sports Illustrated are forecasting a Chiefs victory: Albert Breer, Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, Conor Orr, Matt Verderame, Claire Kuwana and John Pluym.

The Chiefs will win, say Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (34-20 final score) and Chris Simms (27-23).

A Chiefs victory is the prediction from 11 SB Nation writers: JP Acosta, James Dator, Debbie Emery, David Fucillo, Jeanna Kelly, Brandon Lee Gowton, Jared Mueller, Ricky O’Donnell, RJ Ochoa, Mark Schofield and Matt Warren.