Is DeAndre Hopkins playing today vs Broncos? Latest on Chiefs WR's status for Week 18 

The Kansas City Chiefs have adopted the "keep on keeping on" mantra this year, not quite steamrolling their way to the top of the AFC, but sending a message about their Super Bowl credentials regardless. With a first-round bye safely in the locker, the Chiefs have the luxury of resting multiple starters, especially given how banged up the team has been all year.

Coach Andy Reid confirmed several starters including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt won't play. That list, however, does not include DeAndre Hopkins, their star mid-season acquisition.

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Is DeAndre Hopkins playing today vs the Denver Broncos?

In Mahomes' absence, Carson Wentz will start under center, and the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback must make sure he gets the ball to Hopkins this evening for one reason: Hopkins is eligible for a $750K bonus if he meets certain milestones in the regular-season finale.

Hopkins will get $250K if he scores a touchdown tonight and will get an additional $250K each if he racks up 9+ receptions and 140+ receiving yards. The latter two may sound a little out of reach but we'll find out when the Chiefs take on the Broncos at Empower Field for a 4:25 pm kickoff this evening.

One thing to note here is that the Denver Broncos defense, which held strong for most of the season, has struggled over the past two weeks. They allowed the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals to rack up 30+ points in consecutive weeks, so there may be an opening for the Chiefs to pick up their 16th win.

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Where Kansas City Chiefs stand in Week 18

There will be a lot of football being played before we see Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce take the field again. When they do, the Chiefs will be in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Technically, they could face one of seven teams - Texans, Bills, Ravens, Chargers, Steelers, Broncos, Bengals/Dolphins.

While it's still too early to say who they will face exactly, you can always try your hand at predicting the playoff bracket with our free NFL Playoff Predictor.