In what is suddenly a huge game for both teams, the Denver Broncos are set to welcome the Kansas City Chiefs into Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday evening.
The Broncos have won two games in a row while the Chiefs have lost their last two and if the Broncos can pull out a win in front of a national audience, they will be right back in the thick of the AFC West race.
Imagine thinking that just two weeks ago.
On top of that, the Broncos have lost their last seven games against the Chiefs, so this game will have plenty at stake. Let’s take a look at some other things to look for in this primetime matchup.
1. Tyreek Hill is back
The Chiefs’ offense is far more dangerous with Hill, one of the fastest men in the entire league. After missing four games, he returned to the field last week and made an immediate impact, catching five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
For one of his scores, Hill leaped up over a defender and made what seemed like an impossible catch. He changes the dynamic of a game and will provide a serious test for the Denver secondary.
2. Patrick Mahomes’ ankle
There is no question that Mahomes is as talented as any quarterback in the league, but if you have watched the Chiefs of late, he doesn’t seem to be 100 percent.
Mahomes hurt his ankle in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and in pretty much every game since he seems to have it either stepped on or rolled on.
The right ankle has been heavily taped and it prevents Mahomes from stepping into his throws. He also isn’t as mobile as he has shown in the past, which is where he is really dangerous.
3. Phillip Lindsay should have a day (or night)
If you have Lindsay on your fantasy team, don’t even think about benching him this week. The Chiefs are terrible against the run.
The Chiefs currently rank 30th in the league against the run, giving up nearly 162 yards per game on the ground. There is nothing to suggest than Lindsay, who has run quite well this season, won’t be able to gouge this defense as well.
4. Can the Broncos do what the Colts and Texans did?
Both the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans used a physical approach on both sides of the ball to beat the Chiefs, setting up a blueprint for the rest of the league to do the same.
The Chiefs appeared soft against the run and in protecting their quarterback in each of those games and those are deficiencies that are not easily overcome.
Until the Chiefs prove that they can stop the run and can protect Mahomes, teams are going to attempt to just be more physical and push them all over the field. The Broncos will be next in line to attempt to do the same.
If the Broncos employ that same strategy and the Chiefs combat it the way they did in the previous two games, the Broncos will win on Thursday night.
