Who: Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos
When: Sunday, December 15, 12:00 PM
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
This is not one of those games early October games where the
crisp fall breeze is just and the smell of BBQ and burning leaves is in the
air. This is December football with snow and freezing temperatures in the forecast.
It would be hard and brutal once that bitter cold hits. The hits are harder and
they hurt more regardless of who is across the field from you.
Last time we played Denver was during Thursday Night
Football of Week 7 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. What a tumultuous time.
First, Mahomes went down with a dislocated knee cap after a quarterback sneak.
After that the Chiefs defense sought revenge by sacking Broncos QB Joe Flacco 8
times. Eventually the Chiefs beat the pulp out of those Donkeys with a win of
30-6. We can only hope for the same
result, you know, minus the Mahomes getting injured part. The last time the
Broncos beat the Chiefs was way back in September 2015. Since then the Chiefs
have won 8 straight games against their AFC West rivals. From the vibes I get
around KC, most believe that the Broncos will timidly sneak into Arrowhead only
to get slapped around for 3 hours a pre-determined outcome. I am not so certain.
Some factors need to be accounted for.
No matter how dominant one team might be versus how poor the
other team might be, these two teams are bitter rivals. They will always play
each other hard. If you don’t believe that, just ask the 2018 Chiefs what
happened against the Chargers at home last December. Some Chiefs fans have already written off the
Broncos because of their record and how handily the Chiefs beat them back in
October. But I’m here to tell you that it is a rookie mistake to write off a
divisional foe. The Chiefs have already secured a playoff spot. And yes it’s
true the Broncos’ playoff hopes are slim to none. But don’t count them out
because you know they would love nothing more than to spoil that
predetermination and surprise everyone with a playoff spot of their own.
This Broncos team has discovered a new found vigor. It can
be seen in the two previous wins over the Chargers and in an even more
surprising win over the Houston Texans (a playoff-caliber team). In my opinion,
the change in QB and the rookie, Drew Lock, currently taking the snaps has
breathed a new life into this team. Lock was #42 in the 2019 NFL draft, having
dropped further than those around him (including himself) thought he would. He
was immediately regulated to the bench and then bumped down to injured reserve
from a thumb injury in training camp. Those experiences left him with a chip on
his shoulder and determination to prove himself which no doubt will only
amplify on Sunday afternoon at Aroowhead. Lock was born and raised in Lee’s
Summit and played college ball at MU. He is now the prodigal son returning home
to what is now enemy territory.
And the Chiefs will be planning a little homecoming of their
own.
Lock is 6’5” with an infectious swagger that has spread
throughout his locker room in the last two weeks. The Chiefs will need to shake
that swagger and confidence a bit to win the game. The Chiefs spent most of
Donkey Week Part 1 in the Bronco backfield, fattening Flacco. But in Donkey
Week Part 2, they should not expect this QB to be so stationary. The Chiefs
defense has been very aggressive the last 3 weeks and they will need to keep that
up this week. Look for them to rattle the rookie early on and as often as
possible to keep him from handing the ball off to his playmakers, Sutton or Fant
(the latter having sustained injuries from the victory over the Texans and
still expected to play Sunday.)
The perpetual weakness of this improving Chiefs’ defense has
been the run. Thankfully, in last week’s game the Chiefs’ D kept the Patriots
running attack in check the entire game. Patriot’s leading rusher James White
had a paltry 33 yards on 6 carries. Sony Michel was held to a poor 8 yards on 5
carries. The Chiefs D will need to put up a similar fight against Bronco’s
running back Phillip Lindsay.
It’s no secret that our offense has been looking a little
different than what we are used to. Instead of last season’s Mahomes and his
offense accruing 300 to 400 yards a game and throwing the ball all over the
yard, this season’s Mahomes has gone in favor of intermediate passes and
getting a running game going. The addition of Spencer Ware has helped with the
running game. It’s true, I haven’t seen Ware peel off any huge runs but I have
seen him smash into a pile of players and simply drag them along to achieve his
all-important first down. The Chiefs could do a lot worse than jumping out to
an early lead, making the Broncos attack one dimensional. This would force them
to play from behind the chains. While Lock has proven himself to be a skillful
passer, the Chief’s jump out to the lead will force him to rely on the pass a
bit more than he’d want to. This will expose Lock to a Chiefs’ defensive line
that is chomping at the bit.
BQB’s Prediction:
All that being said, this would be a hard fought game,
regardless of the Bronco’s record or what happened earlier in the season. I
expect these teams to trade blows all afternoon. But I expect the Chiefs
defense to keep improving and keep Lock and Company in check just enough to
continue the Chiefs’ winning streak against Denver alive (and kicking).
Chiefs 28. Broncos 21
Author’s Note:
Did you know I’m not on fansided.com? Check out my contributor blogs here.
Did you know I’m not on fansided.com? Check out my contributor blogs here.