3 Keys to a Kansas City Chiefs Victory over the Denver Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football in a colossal collision between two AFC West opponents. Both teams have played very well. Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs are 7-4 overall in the division. The Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders share a 6-5 record. Heading into Week 13, it is becoming crunch time for KC. The Chiefs are looking to seal another AFC West title. They are also looking to climb in the seeding for the playoffs.

Head Coach Andy Reid Looks to Continue His Streak for the Chiefs

Andy Reid is a figurative wizard coming out of a bye week. He sports a record of 19-3 from his tenure with the Eagles and now the Chiefs. The team was able to heal up and spend time with their families and friends over Thanksgiving. In a sense, they recharged the batteries and are looking to attack the rest of the season. Kansas City went to three straight AFC championship games and two Super Bowls. To have a bye week in Week 12 is significant.

According to profootballtalk.com, Andy Reid was asked about his success after the bye week, “Oh, I get asked that every year,” Reid said. “I’m not sure what it is. We go back, and we try to redo everything and make better corrections, but I don’t know if there’s any secret there. I think everybody kind of does that.”

The Offense Looks to Play a Complete Game for the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is currently in 2nd place with an average of 402.4 yards per game. KC is 12th overall, with 281 total points scored. They are averaging 25.5 points per game on offense. These are all tremendous numbers, but the team has turned the football over 22 times. The one game where it felt like the offense was clicking was in the 41-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs Need to Play an Error-Free Game

As stated above, the offense has turned the football over 22 times. Kansas City is ranked No. 31 out of 32 teams. The Broncos have played well on defense even after trading 3X All-Pro Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams. They have forced ten interceptions and two fumbles and only allow an average of 330.8 yards per game. They have also sacked the opposing quarterback 27 times. The implications of this game plus the stats listed are why Kansas City need to play an error-free football game.

The Chiefs Defense Needs to Play Great Again

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has been like Jekyll and Hyde. At the beginning of the season, the Chiefs defense could not apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks which made it more difficult for the defensive backs to cover. The tide has turned, and we are seeing an aggressive, physical Kansas City Chiefs defense. KC has increased their forced turnovers dramatically. Since Week 6, the Chiefs defense has forced 11 turnovers.

As fans, we are seeing players rotate in and out of positions. We are seeing Melvin Ingram, Frank Clark, and Chris Jones create havoc on opposing quarterbacks. If healthy, the Chiefs will be playing a passive Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a different style of player than Drew Lock. Check down Teddy will rely on simple passes and also his running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. If the defense slows down the run game and forces Teddy Bridgewater to play in an uncomfortable style, the Chiefs will have a field day.

In the end, this Sunday Night Football showdown will be worth the watch as the implications are riding high as we inch closer to the playoffs. Teams are separating themselves from playoff contention, and both the Chiefs and the Broncos are in the thick of the playoff race.