Game Thread: Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

[fightinredantz]

This is going to be the biggest game to date in the 2019 season. Broncos feeling good coming off 2 straight wins, while the Chiefs are coming off 2 straight losses.

The Broncos will need to get pressure on Mahomes. He has been a bit hobbled lately and a few hurts should help make him less mobile and make the current injuries ache a little more.

The Broncos will need to run the ball to help keep the D fresh.

I think the Broncos have a chance to knock off the Chiefs but it will not be easy. Chiefs are a 3.5 point favorite.

I don’t think I am going to be able to post the ranks prior to the game, but will post rankings again prior to the Colts game.

 

[SpiritOf77]

I just watched the Texans vs KC game and Houston / Hyde continuously were able to get huge chunks running up between the hash marks .. This bodes very well for the Broncos as, if we can do what the Texans did, which is control time of possession -- that will be a big advantage for us ..

KC jumped out to a big early lead, but once things settled down, Houston was able to dictate the tempo .. Mahommes looked frustrated and he got his ankle nicked up again ..

The Texans were without the two starting CBs also .. and the held KC to one second half score ..

If the Broncos can jump on them early and get the crowd into the game, I think this division could look very different by this time next week

 

[Mingo]

I like the trend lines for these two teams and I even like the short week. There really isn't any pressure on the Denver Broncos - every victory is a gift after an 0-4 start, but the Chefs - I think are feeling the pressure after two losses. Denver's home crowd 12th man's this team to a win over the Chiefs.

 

[iknowftbll]

Chiefs have enjoyed a 7 game streak dating back to 2015 when Manning should have been healing. This won’t be an easy game with the Chiefs reeling after two home losses.

However let’s look at the matchup: the Chiefs offense has struggled to move the ball on the ground, ranking 25th. That passing attack is ranked at the top, even with Mahommes and some of the skill positions not at 100%. Our run defense is likely ranked 1st through these last two wins, though I’m not breaking down the stats. The pass defense is 4th, and it’s going to be in for a tough day.

What I am really looking forward to about this matchup the physicality the offense brings. It’s not been a good unit but they’ve made defenses work. Plus they can remove the ball on the ground. That Chiefs defense is ranked 30th against the run and is giving up over 160 rushing yards. The Broncos should make it a goal to set a league record in rushing yards.

The short week will also favor the Broncos. Our defense looks fast, and the offense has a chance to play keep away from theirs because they’re not the 3 and out factory they once were, even if they still have a lot of room for progress.

I’d like to see them light up the scoreboard. Even VJ’s broncos broke 40 in each of his 2 dismal seasons with the team. I hope the Broncos do that this week against the Chiefs.

 

[fightinredantz]

I would settle for upper 20s.

 

[SpiritOf77]

After getting run on the way that they have, and considering how effective Lindsay and Royce have been, KC might sell themselves out bringing help up to the line .. This is where I have faith in Scangarello - areas on the field will be open for short throws and YAC

It could be a big game for Fant or a breakout for Hamilton ..

We'll also probably see a return of the WR screen

Even though the Broncos O wasn't scoring vs the Titans, you could see a night vs day difference between each of the 1st year offensive coordinators -- Scangarello's offense was filled with pre snap movement and it struck me as the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we'll see in the near future …

The Titans, on the other hand, their offense looked stagnant and intentionally conservative because of fear of making mistakes .. Each time the camera went to OC Art Smith and Ion Eagle and James Lofton commented on Smith, and this being his first season, I couldn't help but think that their O was a generic as his name

Just from my perspective, it appears as if a D and the crowd can get into Mahommes' head .. There was one point in the KC/Houston game in which Mahommes' ankle was rolled again, and he stood there gimpy, looking to the sideline pointing down at his ankle -- and he looked like some 8 year old kid sheepishly showing his parents what had happened ..

Let's get after this guy and make him earn it …

 

[iknowftbll]

Since our esteemed colleague @fightinredantz mentioned not being able to post the rankings for this matchup here they are. Photos, not the grade-A job we’re used to seeing, but hey, the information is there!

 

[fightinredantz]

Thanks iknowftbll.

 

[Orange Crush77]

Good stuff

 

[iknowftbll]

I see this game as an opportunity both for our offense to have a breakout game and their defense to have a “get off our back” type game. Will they be able to exploit our anemic offense on a short week, or will it be our offense exploiting a bottom tier defense?

I’m inclined to give our offense the edge here. For a couple reasons:

1: the offense hasn’t looked great but they have also played a pretty tough slate, defensively. Aside from the Raiders (you can always just about ignore week 1 production/results anyway) every defense they’ve played has been pretty stout. The offense has been short most weeks but I think we’re seeing signs of life here. The site doesn’t get much easier but the Chiefs defense is nowhere close to the level of defenses we’ve faced so far.

2: bad as our offense is, the run game works. Not only does it work, but it’s going against the 30th ranked run defense on a short week. The ground game is only getting better too, with Janovich returning. He brings a nasty element and physicality that’s going to be hard for the Chiefs rum defense to stop. The run game is the Broncos bid for success in this game. So much so that I may scream at my tv If the Broncos even attempt a pass before the Chiefs make a run stop for no gain. (Unless it goes for a score.)

Huge variable: what wins out between the Chiefs “wounded animal” mentality coming in on a two game skid and likely showing up to fight or the Broncos seemingly with a little momentum playing at home on a short week against a rival that has enjoyed 7 straight against them?

This game is an opportunity for both teams. I don’t think either can consider it a sure win. I’m glad it’s a short week for sure, because I believe that favors the Broncos at home plus I don’t have to agonize over it as long!

 

[fightinredantz]

The Chiefs also have a beat up offensive line, and a nicked up Mahomes. If the Broncos are going to win this game 2 things need to happen:
1. Get pressure on and hit Mahomes. If we can remind him his ankle hurts he becomes much easier to defend when he is not running all over the field.

2. The Broncos have to have success in the running game. If the Offense is not able to run the ball then it could be a long day. May have to start out throwing the ball as I expect that we will see the safeties in box early, maybe form the first snap.

One thing I noticed in the Titans games is we are going with 2 RBs and not afraid to split both out . Freeman, Jano, and Lindsay allow that versatility.

Looking forward to this game. Should be fun.

 

[Mingo]

Maholmes is spectacular, but I question if it is humanly possible for him to make the plays he made against the Broncos in two games last year. The guy was converting 3rd and longs about 6 inches off the ground.

Based on that - and the fact Fangio is getting the D he wants - I think the Broncos win Thursday night.

 

[megalodon30]

I think the Broncos win Thursday night.

Bold prediction, but I like it. I just hope our offense can be productive enough. Would hate to see us hold the Chiefs offense to 20 points or so, but lose because we still can't score more than 16.

 

[iknowftbll]

The Chiefs also have a beat up offensive line, and a nicked up Mahomes. If the Broncos are going to win this game 2 things need to happen:
1. Get pressure on and hit Mahomes. If we can remind him his ankle hurts he becomes much easier to defend when he is not running all over the field.

2. The Broncos have to have success in the running game. If the Offense is not able to run the ball then it could be a long day. May have to start out throwing the ball as I expect that we will see the safeties in box early, maybe form the first snap.

One thing I noticed in the Titans games is we are going with 2 RBs and not afraid to split both out . Freeman, Jano, and Lindsay allow that versatility.

Looking forward to this game. Should be fun.

You make a good point about a deep pass to back off the defense. I should clarify my comments about the rushing attack: ultimately the only stat I care about is the scoreboard. I don’t care how many rushing attempts and yards gained the Broncos make. EXCEPT: I consider that the ticket to winning this game. So if the Broncos uncharacteristically abandon the run early after 10 attempts and 25 yards and then ultimately lose it, I’ll be upset.

I’d like to think our staff won’t do that. But you never know. Who would have thought last year’s staff would do everything they could to avoid our QB’s strengths? I’ve never seen an OC so determined to avoid doing what his QB did best! And it does seem like every now and then we see it in the NFL: coaching decisions and entire game plans that leave fans mystified and wondering what the hell happened.

My guess is Sangarello gets it right. I’m willing to bet the Broncos are north of 150 rushing yards in this one. It may approach 200+ if they have a lead late and need to run out clock.

 

[Mingo]

In my opinion - winning Thursday night against the Chefs will breath new life into these Denver Broncos. The key is to play well at the end of the season - not the beginning.

Based on my study of Denver Bronco's history - a dramatic turnaround inside a season is not far fetched. Strange things seem to be this franchise's karma.

I think it also means something to have Champ Bailey's and Pat Bowlan's faces looking down on the field - that and PL wearing TD's jersey number.

Go Broncos!

 

[CEH]

Can Denver's O get to 24+ . That seems to be the minimum to stay up with the Chiefs. I haven’t seen it yet

half the teams last week scored 24 its not that hard. Been a year since denver has scored 27+

this is a watershed game win it and you are back in the division race
Lose and you could be looking at 2020

 

[Mingo]

Can Denver's O get to 24+ . That seems to be the minimum to stay up with the Chiefs. I haven’t seen it yet

half the teams last week scored 24 its not that hard. Been a year since denver has scored 27+

this is a watershed game win it and you are back in the division race
Lose and you could be looking at 2020

And 24 just happens to be the average number of points the Chefs have given up per game on the season. I like the matchup of the Broncos run game vs the Chefs run defense.

 

[iknowftbll]

I agree about the 24 points thing, except I also don’t care how many we score as long as it’s more than the Chiefs. I’d like to see our offense get the average PPG to about 23-24 the reaming 10 games. With the way the defense is playing that likely puts the Broncos on top most weeks.

The reason I’d really like to see the offense break out this week though is it may be an indicator to us how good the unit actually has been. There is a lot of new on this offense and to complicate things they’ve played an unusually tough slate of defenses to start the season. They’ve had moments where they’ve even looked good against those defenses. If they can break out and crack 30 or so in this one it may be time to be less critical of the offense and maybe a little more credit given to the defenses that have kept the lid on them early in the season.

There are opportunities in the coming weeks before the bye. I won’t be surprised if that 17.7 PPG average is up a few points by the time they get to that bye week.

 

[Draft Crazy]

GO FIGHT WIN!

 

[Draft Crazy]

Watkins and Chris Jones both out.