Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey Beall
Game Info
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday – September 17 – 7:25 pm CT
TV: CBS
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City
It’s built up as Peyton versus Andy Reid’s defense! Pass happy quarterback going up against a stingy Kansas City defense featuring a hungry linebacking core of Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hall and Justin Houston. On the other side of the ball Denver has DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller coming off the edges. I see this game being controlled by the defenses for both teams which is over shadowing offenses. Let’s look at three ways the Broncos can walk away with a win at Arrowhead.
Offense
Peyton Manning has to show his leadership skills and patience with the new offense Coach Kubiak installed this year. Throughout his career, Manning has been known to throw the ball all over the field. But, as we saw last week he didn’t trust the run game at all. C. J. Anderson has to establish himself by running the ball in a very angry way. Not tip toeing through the line looking for a place to fall, but hitting the hole and moving the chains. The offensive line has the assignment of keeping Peyton Manning upright because of the heavy pass run from the Chiefs defensive line and explosive line backers. The Broncos offensive line gave up four sacks, allowed five hits on Manning and eight negative plays that resulted in tackles for a loss to the Ravens. Kansas City is just as stingy and physical as the Ravens but younger across the board, so the offense has to get on the ball and score some points. Remember the Broncos didn’t score an offensive touchdown last week and can’t afford to do the same against the Chiefs and expect to win.
Defense
Miller and Ware have to set the tone. Coming off of the edge against a well coached offensive line and a heady quarterback like Alex Smith will be a challenge. Alex Smith is a winner and a game manager. He’s not known for putting up huge numbers in the passing game, but he understands clock management. Jamal Charles will get the call at running back. He’s one of the most exciting backs in the league. He’s explosive and chews up yards on the outside of the line and between the tackles. The wide outs are threats to stretch the field but stopping the run is key to stopping Kansas City’s offense. Let’s see how this one turns out..
Special Teams
Field goals attempts, kick offs and punts along with returners are so important in this game. De’Anthony Thomas is one broken tackle away from returning anything kicked his way. He’s averaging 16.2 yards a return which leads the NFL after week one. Over the past two season the Chiefs have returned six touchdowns, more than any team in that time span.
Arrowhead Crowd
The game is called, “RED THURSDAY”. The stadium will be rocking. The Chiefs boast of it having a college atmosphere which opposing teams describe as deafening! Every commercial break will have something going on, especially at halftime when the Chiefs honors players from Super Bowls I and IV.
Prediction
Denver can play the role of spoilers with a 7 point victory. The keys to victory are: Establish the run, pass rush on Alex Smith and special teams execution. The Broncos by 7 for the win!
