(Photo: DNVR Sports)
AFC Game Of The Week
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Broncos: They got a beat down last weekend in Baltimore. Entering that game, we knew someone would break. There was a defense that entered allowing the fewest yards per play with 4.4 and on the other side, an offense entered that day averaging the most yards per play with 7.1. Someone had to break through, right? It was the offense and they had themselves quite a day. This is a Broncos team that has been one of the more pleasant surprises this year. For as much as they’ve struggled since winning that Super Bowl, they have improved greatly this year and the fan base has something to look forward to in these next few years. I believe they found their franchise Quarterback in Bo Nix, they have weapons around him, Sean Payton is still a good coach and they have a defense that’s young, and energetic and they play so well as a unit. Sunday in Baltimore was the worst I’ve seen Denver look since that week three game last season in Miami when they gave up 70 points. The Ravens offense manhandled this defense with the running game and passing attack. Also, I noticed so many self-inflicted wounds such as costly penalties and turnovers which have cast a dark cloud over their offense. The one thing they were able to do that shocked me was run the football and move the line of scrimmage against the best run defense in the league. They can still be a playoff team if they can regroup. They will have another test on Sunday in Kansas City.
Chiefs: 8-0 and have yet to lose a game. The last time they lost a game was on Christmas Day last season to the Las Vegas Raiders. Since then, they’ve won every game including a Super Bowl. When you think of an undefeated football team, you think of dominance each week. That hasn’t necessarily been them if I’m being honest. Seven of the eight wins this year have been by single digits and their only double-digit victory came against the New Orleans Saints on a Monday night in week five. While it may not look pretty, they’re still winning football games which is all that’s important at the end of the day. The one thing I will say is the Chiefs have become one of the best defensive teams in the league and with a straight face, who would’ve thought those words would come out of anyone’s mouths? When Patrick became the starting quarterback, the offense shouldered so much responsibility because the defense struggled so much then. Now, they have their own identity and can close games out. It’s just not the offense and that’s a scary sight. After all, look what they were able to do a season ago. As I’ve said since the AFC Championship game in January against the Ravens, they are more than capable of winning the street fights (physical games). I’ve always November was their month because that’s when they begin to turn it on and the road to another Super Bowl title is here as they are aiming to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat. They’re back home Sunday for a divisional showdown with Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos.
Broncos X-Factor: Nik Bonitto– He was the shining point on those Oklahoma Sooners’ defenses that struggled. Nik has the potential to be special in the NFL. His straight-line speed is something to watch as he can get from point A to point b at the snap of a finger. He knows how to make blockers look silly trying to defend because he’s able to beat them with such quickness. Look at his first step off that edge! Nik times it perfectly and gets home to the passer with all the speed in the world. He’s still young and has yet to touch the surface.
Chiefs X-Factor: Xavier Worthy– I was so hyped for them when they were able to land him. There’s no replacing Tyreek Hill as he’s a rare breed. Xavier however is the closest thing to him and brings exactly what they were missing since trading Cheetah to the Dolphins which is a consistent threat to lift the top off a zone coverage. He was tailor-made for this offense and a Quarterback such as Mahomes. When the Chiefs drafted him, that told me they wanted to create more down the field.
Final Thoughts: Both of these teams are headed in different directions. One is looking to remain in the playoff hunt while another is looking to stay undefeated and close in on yet another division title. You can say what you want about the Chiefs, they find ways to win football games and that’s what the elite teams do in this day and age. I don’t need to see perfect or flawless, just find a way to win and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing this season. Denver on the other hand is a young football team with a high ceiling. This is another test for them. Baltimore last week and the Chiefs this week. I want to see how the Broncos regroup, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Last week it was Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, this week, it’s Patrick Mahomes and sprinkle in DeAndre Hopkins in the mix. Denver must pressure Mahomes up the middle and hit him early on and as often as possible which is easier said than done. Next, they must stop beating themselves and committing pointless penalties as that hurt them last week against the Ravens. The Chiefs may not have the explosiveness offensively as they have in years past, but they know how to attack and pick spots. This Chiefs defense will bring the heat to Bo Nix and pressure him all game long. Division games are always tough, no matter the opponents. Mahomes is 12-1 all-time against the Broncos with that lone loss coming last season. The Chiefs improve to 9-0 on Sunday with a win.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Broncos 14
