Broncos Coach Reacts to Chiefs' Decision to Rest Starters; Implications for AFC West Race

Head Coach Vic Fangio weighs in on controversial move

The Kansas City Chiefs sent shockwaves through the NFL world by announcing their decision to rest their starters in their Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The move has sent ripples through the AFC West standings, and it remains to be seen what the long-term implications will be.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is one of many who have expressed their opinions on the matter. Fangio released a statement after the Chiefs' announcement, saying that he understands the decision from a business standpoint, but that he still thinks it's unfair for Denver to play a team that is not going to be at full strength.

"I understand the Chiefs' decision to rest their starters," Fangio said. "They've clinched the division and the top seed in the AFC, so they don't have anything to play for this week. But from our perspective, it's not fair for us to have to play a team that is not going to be at full strength. We're fighting for a playoff spot, and we need every win we can get. So it's frustrating for us to know that we're going to be playing a team that is not going to be giving us their best shot."

Fangio's comments reflect the sentiments of many Broncos fans, who are understandably upset that they will not be able to see their team play against the Chiefs at full strength. However, it's important to remember that the Chiefs are not the only team to rest their starters in Week 17. The Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams have all done the same thing in recent years. So while it's certainly not ideal for the Broncos, it's not unheard of either.

Division implications

The Chiefs' decision to rest their starters will have a significant impact on the AFC West standings. The Broncos currently sit one game behind the Chiefs in the standings, and they need to win their final game of the season and hope that the Chiefs lose in order to win the division.

If the Chiefs lose to the Raiders and the Broncos win, Denver will win the division and earn a home playoff game. However, if the Chiefs win and the Broncos lose, Denver will miss the playoffs. So, the Broncos' playoff hopes are essentially hanging in the balance.

Fantasy implications

The Chiefs' decision to rest their starters will also have a major impact on fantasy football. Many fantasy owners have Chiefs players on their teams, and they are now trying to figure out what to do with them.

It's important to remember that the Chiefs are still heavily favored to win over the Raiders, even with their starters resting. So, if you have Chiefs players on your team, you should still start them. However, if you have any other options, you may want to consider benching them this week.

Conclusion

The Chiefs' decision to rest their starters is a controversial one, and it remains to be seen what the long-term implications will be. However, one thing is for sure: the AFC West race is now wide open, and the Broncos have a chance to win the division if they can pull off an upset in Week 17.