Barring a major turn of events, the AFC West will likely be a two-team race between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. The two squads will face each other in the Mile High City in Week 8 as they inch towards the halfway point of their seasons, and while Kansas City’s 31-10 Week 1 beatdown over Denver was convincing, all signs point to their upcoming showdown being a much different contest.
Divisional matchups are historically hard to forecast, but a close look at these two squads' strengths and weaknesses might offer a glimpse of what their second meeting could bring.
“Two good football teams have a chance to play each other,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “AFC West rivals in a great environment. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we do this.”
The Broncos will limit but not stop the Chiefs’ ground attack
Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 173 yards and one touchdown in the season opener. According to the Associated Press, the reigning Super Bowl MVP earned 144 total yards after contact and a career-best 191 scrimmage yards in that game.
The Broncos have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards this season and have struggled to contain opposing running backs. Kansas City will likely turn to Walker and Emmett Johnson in an attempt to control the contest.
Denver might not be able to entirely stop the Chiefs’ ground game, but it would be hard to envision Sunday’s matchup being a replica of Week 1 for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s group.
Patrick Mahomes will be effective when it matters
Put bluntly, Patrick Mahomes was not good against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7. The three-time Super Bowl champion completed just 19-of-33 passes and tossed one interception in the team’s 20-3 loss.
Mahomes knows he will have to make timely plays. After last weekend’s clunker, he will have every incentive to do so. He will also get some help from wide receiver Rashee Rice, who has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury.
“He's such a physical receiver. He does such a great job within the zone concepts and stuff like that, and getting himself open, as well as being physical versus man,” said Mahomes in the video posted by KC Sports Network.
“Having him back out there will be big for us, cause it'll kind of help take some pressure off the other guys to make plays and let them go out there and be themselves. Hopefully, we can have some success.”
Even with more help, Sunday will not be a cakewalk for Mahomes. Joseph’s defense has been mostly solid against agsinst the pass. They’ve collected the third most sacks this season and have also limited opposing quarterbacks to a 77.1 passer rating. Even though they’ve only been middle of the pack in terms of passing yards allowed, Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss will help ensure that Mahomes has his hands full.
Article Continues BelowBo Nix will play a superb game
The Broncos have won three straight games and are coming off a 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals that saw quarterback Bo Nix complete 15-of-29 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown. Additionally, the 26-year-old also rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown.
Nix has been slowly regaining his form since suffering a fractured right ankle during last season’s playoffs. He has not yet reached his full form, but Sunday’s divisional meeting could offer a unique opportunity.
Chiefs cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and L’Jarius Sneed will not be available. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will certainly be prepared to play without these two pieces, but a more depleted group can only benefit Nix.
Given the Chiefs have not been dominant defensively, Sunday afternoon could be a prime occasion for Nix to have a breakout performance.