Chiefs vs Broncos: Betting odds, weather, injuries, stopping the run
By Joel Wagler

The Kansas City Chiefs have a tough task Thursday against the Denver Broncos on the road, and they have to prove the oddsmakers right.
It has been a rough two-game stretch for the Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) as they dropped both games at home. They will have to find a way to end those struggles on the road against their bitter AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos (2-4). Kickoff is at 7:20 PM Central Time on Fox, or you can watch the live stream on FuboTV.
Chiefs vs. Broncos: Betting Odds and Lines
Surprisingly, Kansas City is listed as a road favorite this week, with the spread holding steady at -3. Considering the critical injuries plaguing the Chiefs and their recent struggles at home, expecting them to win on the road in their division shows a lot of confidence by the oddsmaker.
The over/under line is down a bit, though, reflecting the fact the Chiefs have averaged just 18.5 points a game the past two weeks. That number sits at 48.5, courtesy of The Action Network.
The Chiefs average 28.7 points a game (fourth in the NFL) and generate 422 yards a game (third). The Broncos are in the bottom quarter in offense, averaging 17.7 points (24th) and 336.2 yards (25th).
On defense, however, Kansas City has allowed the 12th most points with 24 a game while Denver has only allowed 17.7, the 26th most. Those numbers are even more pronounced in yardage. Kansas City allows 406.2 yards on average (sixth-most) and Denver just 307.8, fourth-fewest in the league.
Something will have to give for the Chiefs to win and for both teams to clear the over/under. The money says the Chiefs will cover as 78 percent of the money is on Kansas City.
Chiefs vs. Broncos: The Weather
According to NFLWeather.com, it should be cloudy but dry in Denver on Thursday night. Gametime temperatures should be in the low to mid-seventies at kickoff and dip to the mid-sixties as the game progresses. It should be great football and tailgating weather. If you don’t have tickets but would like to go to the game, check out Stub Hub.
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Chiefs Key Injuries
Things are not getting much better for Kansas City on the injuries side of things, according to ESPN. The short week did not come at a good time as Eric Fisher is still out and Chris Jones. Sammy Watkins, Kendall Fuller, and Andrew Wylie are all listed as questionable on Wednesday. Jones still has not practiced after hurting his groin against the Colts in week five.
Patrick Mahomes is not listed on the injury report, but it is obvious his ankle is going to be problematic each week. Hopefully, the offensive line can keep the pressure off Mahomes, and he won’t injury the ankle any worse this week.
Broncos Key Injures
Things seem to be a little better for Denver. Defensive end Derek Wolfe is listed as questionable but did participate on a limited basis in practice on Tuesday.
Cornerback Duke Dawson Jr. and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James are both listed as questionable as well. Former Mizzou star quarterback Drew Lock is on the injured reserve, and cornerback Bryce Callahan is out.
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Can the Chiefs stop the run?
This has become the question. The Colts and Texans showed the rest of the league how to beat Kansas City. Run the ball, throw short passes, control the clock. Houston kept the ball for an astounding 39:48 last Sunday. The Chiefs scored on four of their nine possessions, but the Texans ran 36 more plays than Kansas City. It is hard to win in the NFL under those circumstances.
Over the past four games, the Chiefs have been unable to stop the run. In those games, they have surrendered 203, 186, 180, and 192 yards on the ground. Denver features two solid backs in Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, who combine for 113.5 yards rushing a game. Look for the Bronco to feed these two the ball until Kansas City stops them. Denver will want to do what Houston did and keep Mahomes on the sideline waiting for opportunities.
The Chiefs must figure out how to stop the ground attack of the Broncos. Kansas City gives up the second-most yards per carry as opposing running backs average 5.2 yards a tote. That is not acceptable and is not a recipe for success in the NFL.
Unfortunately, it looks like Kansas City might be without their best defensive lineman again if Chris Jones can’t play due to his groin injury. Fuller, their top slot cornerback may also miss the game with a thumb fracture. This will make the defensive hurdles even harder to overcome.
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Kansas City needs a strong game to prove the oddsmakers right and the naysayers wrong. If the defense can make stops and allow Mahomes to do his thing, everything will just fine, and the Chiefs will get back to their winning ways.