Broncos beat Chiefs (backups) three takeaways.

Meaningful moments from a meaningless game.

Sometimes the best part of a meaningless game is surviving it with a healthy roster. And while the Chiefs’ 38-0 loss to the Broncos was certainly forgettable, a few interesting storylines emerged—despite the vanilla playcalling, backup players, and the overall "let's just get this over with" vibe.

So, what can we take away from this final regular-season game before the Chiefs dive into playoff mode? Let’s break it down.

1. Jaden Hicks Is the Real Deal

Not to sound overly dramatic, but Jaden Hicks might be the next big thing for the Chiefs' secondary. Even when everything was watered-down and straightforward, Hicks was a standout. With Justin Reid hitting free agency and a lot of young safeties vying for roles, Hicks’ performance shows he could be a core piece of the Chiefs' defense moving forward. A fourth-round steal? Looks like it.

2. Nikko Remigio: The Potential in the Return Game

With Mecole Hardman inching closer to a return, Nikko Remigio had a chance to show what he could do. He wasn’t the primary option, but he made some solid plays and looked like a serviceable depth piece. If Hardman continues to battle injury or doesn't re-sign, Remigio could be in line to take over that returner/occasional gadget role next year. Not bad for a preseason star, huh?

3. Harrison Butker's Kicking Drama Is Real

Alright, let’s talk about Harrison Butker. His missed field goal in Week 18 was, for lack of a better term, a reminder that we’ve got a real kicker drama brewing here. Sure, it's only a few games since his return from injury, but his reliability is suddenly in question. Will he shake off the rust when it matters most? We trust him in the postseason—mostly—but keep an eye on this as we enter the playoffs.

Final Thoughts:

Week 18 doesn’t always offer much in the way of revelations—unless you’re a Broncos fan, in which case, go ahead and enjoy your 38-0 victory. For the Chiefs, the real work begins now. The loss, while embarrassing, was ultimately irrelevant. With the top seed secured, the Chiefs will have a chance to rest and recharge for what should be an exciting postseason run. The real story for Kansas City will unfold in the Divisional Round, where they'll take on the lowest surviving seed, likely hungry for another Super Bowl shot.

Let’s just hope the Chiefs find their rhythm again—and keep things healthier and more organized than they did in Week 18!