Gametime: Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 7:20 p.m.
Location: Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO
Network: FOX/NFL NETWORK
Radio (Kansas City residence): Chiefs Fox Football Radio Network KCFX (101.1)
Following two tough losses to the Colts and Texans, the Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) look to put their recent struggles behind them with a solid game against the Denver Broncos (2-4). The Chiefs will be seeking their eighth straight victory over Denver, which would be a franchise record over their division rival.
In order to secure a victory tonight, Kansas City will look to no other than reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, who had memorable performances the last two occasions he played at Mile High. In 2017, Mahomes made his debut in the final game of the season and threw for 254 yards in a 27-24 win over the Broncos to give us a hint of what was in store for 2018. When Mahomes returned to Denver last season, he made a hand full of plays that led the Chiefs to defeat the Broncos 27-23, including a left-handed pass to Tyreek Hill to get a crucial first down.
Speaking of Tyreek Hill, he a player that has been a headache for Denver in years past, and after a solid performance against the Texans where he caught five passes for 80 yards and a score in his first taste of action since Week 1.
Another player that Denver has struggled against is tight end Travis Kelce, who averages eight receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in the last five meetings against the Broncos.
Denver has weapons of their own and if they follow the narrative of the Chiefs’ last two opponents, they’ll look to running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to move the ball against a Kansas City defense that has allowed an average of 190 yards on the ground. Lindsay is made himself known to be a scoring threat every time he touches the football with 397 yards on 84 rushing attempts and four touchdowns. While Freeman has been more of a bruiser, averaging over four yards a carry after the first hit.
The Broncos’ passing attack is led by quarterback Joe Flacco, who has struggled so far in his debut season completing 66.3 percent of his throws for 1,435 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 6 picks. Major target that Flacco likes to throw to, is second-year receiver Courtland Sutton, who is an absolute specimen at 6 foot 4 inches and 214 pounds. In six games so far, Sutton has 30 catches for 477 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chiefs will have their work cut out for them going against Denver’s solid defense, especially when it comes to getting into the red zone, where they’ve allowed just 41.2 percent of opposing offenses to score. The Broncos secondary has also only allowed 13 completions of 20 or yards, showing that the ‘No Fly Zone’ is still alive and well.
Denver’s pass rush is also something the Chiefs will need to prepare for in order to protect Patrick Mahomes. Von Miller is still the leader of Denver’s defense and already has 20 tackles (14 solo) two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and he also leads the Broncos defense with seven QB hits. Other players to watch for are defensive ends Derek Wolfe and DeMarcus Walker, who have combined for five sacks so far this year.
Prediction
Once again, the determining factor in tonight’s game may come from within the trenches, a battle the Chiefs haven’t been on the winning side of the last two games. One way to slow the tempo and ware down the Denver defense is by running the football which may be the key to victory, especially if the Broncos secondary is ready for Kansas City’s deep play design. Running back LeSean McCoy only touched the ball 8 times against the Texans and averaged 5.5 yards a carry. If the Chiefs are able to avoid going one dimensional and maintain a steady dose of the run game, they find themselves on the winning side of the scoreboard.
Chiefs: 24 Broncos: 21
