Chiefs: Monday Night at Mile High
by Paul Pulley
What can we expect in game number 4 for the Kansas City Chiefs? Can Patrick Mahomes keep up his record setting pace? Will the Denver Broncos defense be able to slow down the Chiefs offense? Can the defense of Kansas City contain Denver’s offense enough to preserve a win?
Patrick Mahomes returns to the site of his first ever NFL victory in an attempt to secure his 4th straight win to start the 2018 season and give the Chiefs a two game lead in the AFC West. Denver will be at their home for the third time in 4 games to start the season, winning their first two at home before dropping to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
The Broncos first win was against a Seattle Seahawks team that is going through their own struggles and haven’t been very good so far this year. After three games the Seahawks have just the 27th ranked offense in the league and have a record of 1-2.
Denver’s second game was against the Oakland Raiders that have yet to win under new head coach Jon Gruden. While the Raiders have the 6th ranked offense overall for yards gained, they are just the 28th ranked team for points scored, which has led to their 0-3 start.
Denver’s third opponent, the Ravens, are 2-1 after blasting the Buffalo Bills in week one, then losing on the road to the Cincinnati Bengals before beating the Broncos in Baltimore last week. Baltimore has the 13th ranked offense over all and their passing offense is rated 9th. The Broncos were able to take a quick lead versus the Ravens as they forced a quick three and out to start the game and then blocked a punt to take possession at the Ravens six yard line and scored a TD on their first play. Denvers only other score was on a 35 yard end around by Emmanuel Sanders midway through the 1st quarter but were shut out the rest of the game.
Baltimore currently has the top rated defense in the league, so I don’t expect Kansas City to keep the Broncos from scoring but maybe if they can force field goals instead of allowing touch downs, it will be an improvement. Baby steps, ya know!
Denver will have somewhat of an advantage over almost all of the Chiefs opponents this year as they are the only team to have seen what Mahomes is capable of first hand, but what they saw last year was with an almost complete roster of reserve players. If they were shocked last year, this game is going to give them an even bigger surprise.
The Broncos defense appears to be weaker this year, especially against the pass as their overall defense is ranked 14th and yet their passing defense is 22nd in the league. Denver has logged 9 sacks this year already, but 6 of those came against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in week one. The Chiefs offensive line looks to be improved so far this season and seem to be steadily improving. I like that they are showing a little fire and are getting after defenders when they feel the opposition has gone overboard when going after Mahomes.
Denver’s GM, John Elway, brought in QB Case Keenum to solidify the position for the Broncos but he is currently tied for the league lead with 5 interceptions while only passing for three touchdowns.
I believe that Kansas City’s offensive onslaught will continue against the Broncos, as a matter of fact, Mahomes will connect with multiple deep throws. PM15 seemed pretty upset with himself after missing those versus the 49ers. I’m expecting a deep connection with both Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins in Mile High.
The Broncos strength is their running game, so if the Chiefs can come out strong and fast, as they have against their other opponents, and force the Broncos to be more one dimensional, it should go a long way towards securing a victory. On the other hand, if the Broncos defense can contain and holdback the Chiefs, then Denver would be able to use their run game to chew up the clock and keep Mahomes and his offense on the bench.
The big concern going into this game might just be the state of our historically horrid defense. We aren’t sure of the status of Dee Ford, he could possibly be broken once again. Reggie Ragland looks hobbled, I don’t think his knee is right yet. Rookie Breeland Speaks hasn’t shown much yet at all and the safeties are a mess. I am really hoping that Eric Berry makes this game his 2018 debut. There was a reason Parker was released last year and he doesn’t look any better, and Murray seems to be just one more in the seemingly long line of Dorsey defensive back draft debacles.
Over all, while I think Denver has some really good players on their defense, I just don’t think they have enough, nor do they have the coaching staff to compete with an Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes led offense. I believe that the Chiefs will come home with their 4th straight victory for 2018.
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