KC Chiefs Game Day Prediction: Week 2 vs. Denver
By Mike Norris
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown after intercepting a pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Denver Broncos
Record: 1-0 (1-0 at home; 0-0 on road)
Best Player: Peyton Manning, QB
Sleeper: Owen Daniels, TE
Most Interesting Match-up: Chiefs wide receivers vs. Denver’s Pro Bowl secondary.
Something you didn’t know: The Chiefs have only sacked Manning twice since 2012.
As noted, Manning is not the same quarterback he was the first three years in Denver.
Sunday was just the third time, all in his past five regular seasons games, in which he failed to throw a touchdown as a Bronco. It was only one game, but after a 2014 second half of the season that saw him struggle, a 24-of-40, 175-yard, no touchdown and one interception effort last week doesn’t bode well for Manning backers.
And while he is 3-0 as a Bronco in Arrowhead, he is walking in to a lion’s den on a short week that saw him take four sacks (after being sacked just 17 times last year).
He is obviously still capable of a big day, but an already stout Chiefs defense only seems to be improving. Couple that with no super star tight end Julius Thomas this season, a suspect running game and a crowd looking to break the sound barrier (again), and it could be a long night for the Direct TV pitchman.
On the other side of the ball the Broncos looked pretty good against Baltimore.
They were able to sack quarterback Joe Flacco twice and record seven tackles for a loss. Talib bailed out his offense at the end of the third quarter with a 51-yard pick-six that turned a 13-9 deficit in to a 16-13 lead.
The Ravens mustered only 190 yards of offense, but they aren’t the Chiefs. Kansas City put up 340 yards on the road against a team that supposedly sported one of the best defenses in the league.
The Denver secondary includes two Pro Bowlers in Talib and fellow Jayhawk Chris Harris, Jr., and it will be interesting to see if Smith can find a wide receiver in the end zone for the first time since December of 2013.
Next: Who Will Win?