The game: Denver at Kansas City (-3)
That line is telling, because in years past it would, at worst, have gone the other way. The Denver Broncos bandwagon emptied faster than a men’s room Jim Tomsula stepped into. The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, became the suddenly trendy AFC West pick and I can’t really find an issue with that, other than Andy Reid is their coach and clock management will probably come to play at some point in the season. But, hey, maybe he took the very special lesson from Tom Coughlin and the Giants last Sunday.
The History
The rivalry between the teams predates even the existence of the “Kansas City Chiefs.” In 1960 the team was known as the Dallas Texans in the old AFL and the teams have met twice a year every year (except the 1982 strike year) since then.
The Chiefs lead the overall series 56-54, but the Broncos have done their best to change that. Denver is riding a six-game winning streak heading into the game, started in 2012, which you might remember is the year Peyton Manning first showed up in NFL orange.
[related_post_one]
The Chiefs last win over the Broncos was on New Year’s Day, 2012, with a 7-3 snorefest. The Broncos were led at the time by one Timothy Richard Tebow and the Chiefs by Kyle Orton. Neither are currently employed by an NFL team.
The Broncos, of course, beat the Chiefs 29-16 in their last meeting on Nov. 30, 2014. Neither Peyton Manning or Alex Smith passed for over 200 yards in the game.
The Broncos on offense
Peyton Manning still runs the show in Denver, even if he’s having to do it over Gary Kubiak’s playcalling. Manning still has plenty of offensive weapons led by All-Universe wide receiever Demaryius Thomas and the underrated Emmanuel Sanders. C.J. Anderson got banged up last week, but is expected to suit up. Ronnie Hillman will probably see his share of carries though. Thomas injured his hand in the game with the Ravens and Manning also showed up on the injury report with a sore back. He’ll play.
[related_post_three]
The issue with the Broncos is, how effective will it all be? They looked atrocious against the Ravens defense last week and didn’t score an offensive touchdown. Of course, neither did the Ravens.
The Chiefs on offense
Another game, another 60 minutes without a touchdown pass to a wide receiver. As problems go, Kansas City’s inability to get a wideout in the end zone is a small one. Alex Smith torched the Houston Texans last week with his tight ends, making Travis Kelce the hottest player in fantasy football this week. With Jeremy Maclin and a couple of young up-and-coming receivers like Chris Conley and Albert Wilson, that will all change. I predict it will happen this week.
Jamal Charles had a down season last year if you can call 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns “down.” He didn’t have a strong start against the Texans either and the Broncos’ defense won’t make in any easier.
The Broncos on defense
The defense that was supposed to show up in Denver last season arrived a year late, making fools of Joe Flacco and the Ravens in a 19-16 win. The Broncos may have the best set of 3-4 linebackers in the league with DeMarcus Ware, Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan and Von Miller. Their front isn’t bad either and what seemed like a weakness when the season started, their defensive backfield, showed up strong win Week One with Aquib Talib picking off a pass and returning it for the game-winning touchdown.
[related_post_two]
The Chiefs on defense
Here’s where things really go wrong for Manning and the Broncos. Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are probably the most underrated pass-rushing tandem in football and since Houston led the NFL with 22 sacks last season, that’s saying something. All the press in the offseason has belonged to the Texans’ J.J. Watt and the St. Louis Rams defensive line and there’s a reason for that. But to discount what Houston and Hali are capable of is a recipe for disaster.
The return of Eric Berry to the defensive backfield, for inspiration and coaching alone, can not be overstated. Rookie corner Marcus Peters played like a guy ready to snag his first Pro Bowl invite last week, recording seven tackles, three pass defenses and a pick.
The pick: I agree with the book on this one. The Chiefs are at home and are due against the Broncos. It won’t be a walk, but it will be a win. Chiefs 27, Broncos 23
