Kansas City Chiefs: Snap count and altitude could be an issue for defense
By John McCarty
After three games that saw the Kansas City Chiefs defense on the field a lot, a short week and altitude could pose a problem for the struggling Chiefs defense when they take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
The Kansas City Chiefs, despite their recent struggles, are a better football team than the Denver Broncos, who they are taking on this Thursday night. However, a hobbled quarterback and a paper thin defense certainly has raised the stakes of the divisional game and wrought concern with fans.
After watching the Colts and Texans run all over the Chiefs defense in back to back weeks, especially in the second half, fans have every reason to be concerned.
In the past three weeks, the Chiefs defense has been on the field a lot, including a staggering 92 snaps by the Houston Texans (and their 39:48 minutes time of possession), 81 snaps against the Indianapolis Colts and just 73 snaps against the Detroit Lions.
Now, on a short week, the Chiefs will travel to Denver to face hard luck Broncos team at altitude. That could prove to be a problem, especially later in the game.
If the Broncos are able to get their running game going early in the game, as the game goes on, the legs of the Chiefs defenders, especially linemen, could become tired. That leads to more rushing yards and players being out of position, which leads to penalties.
Thus far this season, the Broncos leading rusher is Phillip Lindsey, averaging 4.7 yards per carry this season, but backup running back Royce Freeman is not far behind averaging 4.2 yards. Adding to the concern, both running backs are in the top five, third and fourth respectively in receptions thus far this season.
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The Chiefs, especially recently, have struggled to stop opposing teams running backs, either in the rushing or passing game. Yes, this goes on and back to the discussions about the linebackers and their terrible, awful, no good very bad play recently.
Another player that should concern the Chiefs is rookie tight end Noah Fant.
Over the past two weeks, the Chiefs have struggled mightily to cover tight ends (hello linebackers discussion) along with the running backs. While the tight ends are yet to beat the Chiefs deep, the tight ends have routinely converted first downs, kept drives going, and well, we know the rest.
A team with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, the Texans leading receiver was tight end Darren Fells. Backup tight end Jordan Akins was fourth on the Texas in receiving yards. In the Colts defeat, the receivers failed to combine for 100 yards receiving, their leading receiver that game being their backup running back Nyheim Hines.
If the Chiefs are unable to stop and slow down the running backs and tight ends, it could be a long night. Both Cortland Sutton and, if he plays, Emmanuel Sanders, have the ability to get up the field, and a classic play action pass with an aggressive Tyrann Mathieu and rookie Juan Thornhill could lead to big plays in the passing game, especially if Kendall Fuller is unable play due to a hand injury.
The Chiefs defense must, early in the game, show they can stop the Broncos rushing attack, and the Chiefs offense must be able to keep their quarterback upright and not have issues with that ankle.
If the KC Chiefs are unable to get off the field in the second half, the Broncos may be able to run right over, around and through the Chiefs defense to a victory Thursday night.