TIME UPDATE: Chiefs vs Broncos Week 11 At Mile High As NFL Adds Marshawn Kneeland Memorial
The NFL has officially updated the kickoff time for the Week 11 showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
The league will allow extra time before kickoff to hold a special on field memorial ceremony honoring Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland, giving players, staff and fans from around the NFL a chance to pay their respects.
Because of the ceremony, the game that was originally set for 1:25 PM PT has been moved to a later kickoff window, while all broadcast plans remain in place for a national audience.
1. Updated game information
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Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos
Week: 11
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Original kickoff time: 1:25 PM PT
New kickoff time: Updated to a later slot to accommodate the memorial service (local listings and NFL schedule now reflect the change)
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: CBS with national coverage across the United States
The atmosphere in Denver was already expected to be intense with AFC West implications on the line. With the memorial addition, the pregame will carry a more emotional and reflective tone before the rivalry energy takes over.
2. Why kickoff is being delayed for Marshawn Kneeland
The time update is designed to create space for a league wide moment of remembrance for Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys player whose passing has shaken locker rooms around the NFL.
The on field tribute is expected to include:
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A pregame moment of silence
A video tribute on the stadium screens
Special decals and wristbands worn by players and staff
Messages of support to his family shown throughout the broadcast
By moving kickoff, the NFL avoids rushing the ceremony and sends a clear signal that player lives and families remain at the heart of the sport, even on one of the biggest divisional stages of the season.
3. Chiefs ready to bounce back after the bye
Kansas City enters Week 11 coming off a bye and an up and down first half of the season. Head coach Andy Reid once again has the advantage of extra preparation, and history says that usually matters.
Key Chiefs storylines:
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Patrick Mahomes’ rebound: After a frustrating Week 9 loss to the Bills where his completion rate dipped below 50 percent, Mahomes is expected to respond with sharper timing and rhythm, especially on deep shots to Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice.
Offensive line boost: Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons is back with the team after time away for personal matters, giving extra help on Mahomes’ blind side against Denver’s aggressive front.
Defensive intent: Chris Jones and the defensive line will focus on collapsing the pocket on rookie quarterback Bo Nix and slowing down the Broncos run game early.
Reid has long been known for strong performances after a bye, and this matchup offers a chance to reset the Chiefs’ push for the AFC West crown.
4. Broncos on fire at Mile High
On the other sideline, Denver enters Week 11 on a hot streak, holding an 8–2 record and sitting at the top of the division. The Broncos have ridden a combination of suffocating defense and steady improvement from Bo Nix.
However, there are questions:
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Bo Nix under pressure: The rookie has shown poise in big moments but still makes occasional mistakes when the pass rush heats up.
Injury concerns in the secondary: The loss of star cornerback Patrick Surtain II softens the back end of Denver’s defense, opening potential mismatches for Mahomes and his receivers.
Even with those issues, Denver will lean heavily on its home field advantage and high altitude environment to wear down Kansas City over four quarters.
5. Betting lines and rivalry trends
Oddsmakers still expect a tight and physical AFC West battle.
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Point spread: Chiefs favored by 3.5 points
Total (over or under): 44.5 points
Trend: The under has cashed in six of the last eight meetings between these teams as both defenses often dictate the tempo.
Series history: Kansas City has dominated the rivalry in recent years, although Denver did manage to snap the Chiefs’ long winning streak last season.
The time change itself is not expected to dramatically move the line, but emotional factors around the memorial could add an unpredictable human element to the opening quarter.
6. Key matchups to watch
Even with the added focus on Marshawn Kneeland’s tribute, football will eventually take center stage. A few matchups could decide the outcome:
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Patrick Mahomes vs Bo Nix
Experience meets youth. Mahomes has been through every possible big game scenario, while Nix continues to build his NFL resume in high pressure spots.
Chris Jones vs the Broncos offensive line
Jones’ ability to generate interior pressure can wreck Denver’s protection schemes and force Nix into hurried throws or drive killing sacks.
Travis Kelce vs Broncos linebackers and safeties
With Surtain out, the Broncos may need to lean on bracket coverage and creative looks to avoid Kelce taking over the middle of the field.
If Kansas City wins most of these battles, the time update and emotional weight of the evening may simply become part of the story of a statement road victory.
7. Prediction and game outlook
Both teams are built for a bruising, tactical contest that feels like playoff football in November. Denver’s defense and home crowd will challenge the Chiefs from the opening snap, but Kansas City’s urgency coming out of the bye and their experience in big AFC West moments give them a narrow edge.
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Projected score: Chiefs 27, Broncos 20
Projected narrative: Mahomes delivers a composed, efficient performance that reminds the conference that the road to the AFC still runs through him, even in the shadow of an emotional league wide memorial.
8. How fans can follow the memorial and the game
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In stadium: Fans attending at Empower Field at Mile High are encouraged to arrive earlier than usual to be in their seats for the full Marshawn Kneeland tribute.
On TV: CBS will carry both the memorial ceremony and the game as part of its national NFL coverage window.
Online and social: The Cowboys, Chiefs, Broncos and NFL social channels are expected to share clips, behind the scenes moments and messages of support for Kneeland’s family throughout the day.
Week 11 at Mile High was already one of the most important AFC West games of the year. With the time update and the on field tribute to Marshawn Kneeland, it now doubles as a powerful reminder that football is a family, and that even rivals can stand together when it matters most.
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