Weather could force KC Chiefs to run the ball more vs Broncos

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Kansas City Chiefs fans walk through the parking lot prior to the AFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Kansas City Chiefs fans walk through the parking lot prior to the AFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images) /
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The KC Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at noon and while the Chiefs are heavy favorites, the weather could be a huge factor.

The Kansas City Chiefs have already won the AFC West and therefore have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs this year. Even with that in mind, the team still has a lot to gain from winning out and that starts with beating the Broncos at home in week 15.

The problem, however, is that the weather might factor in for this game.

For those who live in or near the Kansas City metro, take a look outside real quick. Yeah, it’s snowing pretty hard out there and that means the Chiefs and Broncos will be playing in that snow. While we all enjoy watching players out there in what many consider to be “football weather”, it does affect the game quite a bit.

For one, the Chiefs are a pass-heavy team and why wouldn’t they be with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback? Throwing the football in the snow is certainly possible, but it makes things a little more difficult (though fortunately the Chiefs are the home team and will be in their bright red uniforms).

This could result in the Chiefs having to run the ball more, and that’s something they’ve struggled with this year. If it comes down to which team can run the ball better, then that definitely favors the Broncos, who rank 18th in the league in rushing yards per game, compared to the Chiefs’ 27th ranking. That’s quite the difference.

With Damien Williams inactive, it’s time for LeSean McCoy to step it up and prove that he can be that power back that the Chiefs need. Rookie Darwin Thompson and “newcomer” Spencer Ware have to chip in and get the job done too.

The Broncos are used to playing in wintery conditions, so this weather might not bother them much, but they do have a rookie quarterback playing in just his third ever game as a pro. That could help or hurt the Broncos for this game, but if nothing else, they’ll rely on Phillip Lindsay and their run game to get the yards they need.

This has the potential to be a different game from what most Chiefs fans are used to. Rather than a high-flying, explosive passing attack, the Chiefs might be forced to pound the rock more than they’d prefer, and that could be problematic.

Who’s ready for a snowy game in Kansas City?