Game Overview ::
By mike johnson >>
- This game is a matchup of the highest-scoring team in the NFL (KC) against the lowest-scoring team in the league (DEN).
- Much of this game’s tempo and flow will be determined by how the Chiefs decide to attack – to play to their strength (passing) or attack their opponent’s weakness (rushing).
- Denver’s offense continues to set new standards for ineptness.
How kansas city Will Try To Win ::
Kansas City is tied with the Bills for the lead in the AFC with a 9-3 record. However, the Bills own the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head victory in Week 6. Home-field advantage in the playoffs is a big deal, and the Chiefs can’t afford to mess around with a divisional road game against an opponent with a very good defense. While the storylines this season about Russell Wilson’s cringeworthy habits/comments and awful on-field play have taken control, the reality is that Denver continues to be a tough out from a real football perspective. Seven of Denver’s nine losses this season have been by seven or fewer points, and they have made life difficult for opponents and viewers alike during the long 13-week journey to get to this point.
From a philosophical standpoint, the Chiefs will have some choices to make. Kansas City throws the ball at a higher rate than any other team in the league but is facing an elite pass defense and sub-par rush defense in this matchup. Likewise, the Broncos offense has scored 20 points only one time this season, meaning that the Chiefs barrier for winning is relatively low as long as they don’t gift Denver with turnovers and free points. Head coach Andy Reid will have to decide if he wants to play to his team’s strengths or attack the weakness of his opponent. While the Chiefs are unlikely to lean entirely on the run, a more balanced approach is certainly viable, especially with the emergence of Isiah Pacheco as a consistent runner. The Broncos pass defense is legit, but they have also not faced very many high-level passing offenses outside of the Chargers. Likewise, much of the strength of Denver’s pass defense lies on the perimeter, while the Chiefs feature Travis Kelce and other ancillary receivers (RBs, TEs, gadget WRs) more than most teams. This is all to say that while the Denver pass defense is unlikely to allow a Chiefs passing game explosion, the Chiefs are well equipped to still move the ball through the air.
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