When the Broncos run
The Broncos average 88.1 yards rushing per game, fifth worst in the NFL. They also rank in the bottom five in attempts per game. It’s hard to get a running game going without consistency and even harder for an offense to keep the heat off its quarterback when there are 37 dropbacks compared to 14 handoffs like there were against the Colts. The Chiefs are stout throughout their entire front-seven. Edge: Chiefs
WATCH:
When the Chiefs run
Kansas City lost the heart and soul of its offense when running back Jamaal Charles tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Denver gives up only 3.5 yards per carry, second lowest in the NFL. The return of defensive end Derek Wolfe has boosted its run defense. Linebacker Danny Trevathan made 19 tackles against the Colts. Safety T.J. Ward also added 12 tackles. Edge: Broncos
When the Broncos pass
Peyton Manning is worst in the NFL with 13 interceptions. Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas have faced serious cases of the drops this season. Opposing quarterbacks complete only 59.5 percent of their passes against Kansas City, the fourth lowest in the NFL. Kansas City rookie cornerback Marcus Peters is a serious candidate for defensive rookie of the year. The Chiefs’ Justin Houston and Tamba Hali rival the Broncos’ Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware as the NFL’s best pass rushing duo. Edge: Chiefs
When the Chiefs pass
Checkdown Alex Smith is back. Beware, he possesses some of the elusiveness that gave the Broncos trouble against Andrew Luck Sunday. Tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Jeremy Maclin both are having solid seasons. Smith was sacked four times in his last meeting against Denver. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Omar Bolden’s 83-yard punt return for a touchdown at the end of the first half last week woke up a lifeless Broncos’ scoring attack. With normal returner Emmanuel Sanders banged up, Bolden might get another shot at that role Sunday. Broncos’ kicker Brandon McManus is 19-of-20 on field-goal attempts and perfect on extra-points attempts. Chiefs’ kicker Cairo Santos is 16-of-20 on field-goal attempts. Brother punters, Britton Colquitt of the Broncos and Dustin Colquitt of the Chiefs, both are having solid seasons. Edge: Broncos
Scouting Report
Maintain balance
Peyton Manning dropped back to pass 37 times Sunday against Indianapolis and handed it off to running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman only 14 times. That’s nearly a 3-to-1 pass run ratio. The run game hasn’t had much success this season, but it keeps defenses honest, opens up the play action and creates more opportunities to break a big play. The Broncos should shoot for 40-45 percent of the offensive snaps to be run calls Sunday.
Neutralizing Kelce
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Tight end Travis Kelce has be the primary weapon for Kansas City. His speed and size has been a matchup issue for a lot of teams this season. Kelce’s 8.2 yards after catch average is the highest among tight ends. Kelce made four catches for 58 yards when the teams met earlier. It’ll likely be up to safeties T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart and David Bruton to contain him.
Keep it clean, healthy
The Broncos are beginning to develop a reputation as a team that plays beyond the whistle and is overly aggressive. Coach Gary Kubiak said his players should expect not to get the benefit on the doubt on calls. It’s imperative against a division opponent to keep everything clean between the whistles. Denver heads into this game nicked up with injuries to some of the team’s biggest stars. Depth is a team strength, but the injuries are beginning to take a toll.
