Laddie Morse
This is just the game the Denver Broncos have been waiting for. It features the NFL’s best secondary — of the Broncos — versus the NFL’s best passing attack — of the Chiefs. Or something like that. What’s the old saying.. “On Any given Sunday.” That’s what it will take for these 3-and-9 Donkeys to beat the 9-and-3 Chiefs… even if this is a Home Game for Denver. We’ve already been reminded that the past is past and that the Chiefs 13-straight-game winning streak over the Broncs, doesn’t matter now. Well, it matters to some of us.
The Boomerang Effect
The Kansas City Chiefs players have stated more than once this week, that they are “Pissed,” (with a capital P) following their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Does that mean they’re about to take it out on the Broncos? Could well happen. Even Patrick “The Best QB Going” Mahomes didn’t have a great game against the Bengals a week ago, so we’re looking for him to bounce back as well. The height to his bounce-back-ability will go a long ways towards deciding this one. For a QB who has normally averaged 2.6 TDs per game, to only throw 1 TD toss is not a positive sign. While PMII has had the highest TDs per game average — even after only throwing one TD vs the Bengals — the game may hinge on whether or not Mahomes can out do the best team in the NFL at allowing passing TDs as Denver has only given up 0.75 TDs passing per game this season.
Other Determiners
On the other side of midnight… err, when the defense takes the field — new (to Denver) QB Russell Wilson has only averaged 0.7 TDs per game, which ranks them 31st in the NFL. The problem for K.C. is… the Chiefs secondary is ranked in a 3-way tie for the lead in TDs allowed with 24.
While many have assumed that Denver would try to run the ball a lot in this game, the stats don’t necessarily support that take. Denver is 25th this season (so far) in rushing gaining just 102.9 YPG, while the Chiefs are sixth against the run, giving up just 106.2 YPG.
Breaking Out
When a game like this comes down to: “Who will break out?” I’d have to bet on Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. It makes sense that Kelce will not fumble the rest of the year, considering how upset he was at fumbling away the game last Sunday.
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(Now that’s the way you take responsibility for what you did wrong). Kelce’s brother Jason said, “I have the feeling that this is not the last time you’re going to be seeing these guys this year” to which Travis says, “I wouldn’t be upset at it.”
Back to, “Who will Break Out?”… so, why not bet on Russell Wilson and the Broncos wide receivers? For one, their best WR is OUT with a Hamstring injury, that being Courtland Sutton (see below on Denver’s Injury Report). Not only that but their starting FB, Andrew Beck, is OUT for this game as well. Although the Broncos defense has 9 INTs to their collective names, the Chiefs are not far behind with 6. IOW, I doubt the difference in this game will be because of INTs thrown… unless Russell Wilson get generous with his completions.
However… Wilson has thrown the fewest INTs in the NFL with only 5. On the other hand, Wilson has thrown only 8 TDs — and ranks 16th in the league in that category — while Mahomes leads the NFL with 30 TDs.
OLs: The Big Difference?
While K.C. is 6th in total sacks this season with 35, the Broncos are tied for 5th with 20. The Chiefs OL ranks 2nd by PFF, and 3rd best in the NFL at EstablishtheRun.com, as of the end of Oct this year, the Denver OL ranked 13th, but we also know they’ve dropped their last four straight and much of that was because of their bad OL play.
The big difference for the Broncos will have to come from their Defense. They’ll have to get as many stops of the Chiefs Offensive freight train as possible (no small feat).
Denver’s Injury Report
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I’ve cropped this Injury Report because everyone else on the report had a FULL PRACTICE this week. So, they’re not shown.
Kansas City Injury Report
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K.C. has also elevated WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette from the Practice Squad:
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Brett Veach signed Ihmir Smith-Marsette on October 20th. At 6-foot-1, Ihmir Smith-Marsette has 4.43 speed, was a 5th round pick for the Vikings and he’s also played for the Bears. Smith-Marsette has also returned Punts before so that’s not out of the realm of possibilities today… especially since Kadarius Toney will be sitting.
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While this injury report says WR Kadarius Toney is “Questionable” … he has now been reported as OUT.
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I’m glad they’re sitting Toney. I want to see him come back — FOR GOOD — when he’s good and ready, and make many contributions after he’s completely healed up.
Denver Game Time Weather
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Look like it’s going to be another perfect day for football!
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Referee Assignment
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With the exception of 2016, Craig Wrolstad has consistently thrown more flags on the visiting team than the Home team. Not a good sign for the Chiefs. David Bell is a bit of a Conspiracy Theorist, as is a local doctor I spoke with on Tuesday of this week. So…. as they say… it’s something to keep an eye on.
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My Prediction for this game (and mind you, I haven’t been very accurate this season) is: Chiefs 35, Broncos 17. I guess I just keep thinking about what the score could be, if K.C. is firing on all cylinders that day. Let’s pray K.C. is firing on all cylinders on this day!
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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