The Kansas City Chiefs badly need a win to remain among the elite teams in the AFC.
A loss would put them uncomfortably close to .500 and in a dogfight for the AFC West division title. A win, however, gives the Chiefs a comfortable lead and keeps them undefeated inside the division.
As Kansas City looks to bounce back from two straight home losses, here are two players — one on each side of the ball — to keep an eye on against the Denver Broncos.
Offense – WR Tyreek Hill
Hill picked up right where he left off upon his return last week by catching two touchdown passes, one of which was a leaping 46-yarder between two defenders. Even more importantly, he completed the game healthy. He played 29 of the Chiefs’ 58 total offensive snaps and should see an increase this week.
The struggling Kansas City offense needs Hill’s playmaking ability at the receiver position. The other wideouts have struggled to create separation and running the correct routes at times.
Hill could also help out the running game by defenses having to account for him during pre-snap motion and by taking a few hand-offs. The Chiefs have done this multiple times in past matchups against the Broncos as a way to neutralize three-time All-Pro outside linebacker Von Miller.
Continue …
Defense – S Juan Thornhill
Amid all the problems the Chiefs are having defensively, Thornhill has been one of the few bright spots. Last week he recorded four tackles and snagged his first career interception, making him the Chiefs’ highest-graded defensive player per Pro Football Focus.
The Broncos are struggling in passing offense, ranking just 23rd in the NFL. Quarterback Joe Flacco struggles with accuracy and has thrown an interception in each of his last five games. With Thornhill getting more comfortable each week, he could be the next big defensive playmaker for the Chiefs.
Go back …
