Inside The Villain’s Venue: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Week 11

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls an audible in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

In the most exciting game of week 11, the Denver Broncos (8-1) are hosting the NFL’s only undefeated team, the Kansas City Chiefs. On the line is the top spot in the AFC West. It really doesn’t get any better than this, folks.

That’s why this week, we’re stepping inside the villain’s venue with Patrick Allen of Arrowhead Addict. Patrick and his team run the best Chiefs site on the web. Yes, I used “best” and “Chiefs” in the same sentence, but it’s true. You won’t find better coverage anywhere else, so if you want to know even more about the Chiefs, head over and take a look. I won’t tell anyone you did. Promise.

I asked Patrick about whether this Chiefs team is the real deal and how they plan on stopping the Broncos’ No. 1 offense among other things. As usual, he gave us some great insight.

Let’s step Inside the Villain’s Venue with Arrowhead Addict.

Predominantly Orange: The Chiefs are undefeated, but are they in the right state of mind to run the table and/or go deep into the playoffs? I mean the Dwayne Bowe incident during the bye week puts a question mark on their maturity.

Arrowhead Addict: I think the Chiefs are very close. They normally say “family” after every locker room huddle following a win. I don’t think the Bowe arrest will cause too much of a rift in the locker room. Remember, many of these guys were around for a terrible tragedy last season involving Jovan Belcher murdering his girlfriend and then killing himself at the team facility. The next day, the Chiefs played their best game of the season. This incident isn’t likely to have an impact on their focus and preparation.

They won’t run the table and I don’t know if they will go deep into the playoffs but it won’t be because of Bowe getting busted for weed. Bowe lacks maturity but I think the locker room as a whole is in much better shape.

PO: The Chiefs are leading the league in sacks and they’re the No. 1 scoring defense. How do you expect them to slow the Broncos’ offense on Sunday?

AA: I think they are going to play a lot of man, press coverage and are going to try to bring pressure. I don’t know if it will work but that is the style of defense these guys play and I don’t expect them to deviate too much from it. Because of this aggressive style of play, the Chiefs are vulnerable to giving up big plays. If the Broncos take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves, I think they will be able to score. The Chiefs are going to need to play a nearly flawless defensive game and they will need help from their offense.

PO: Speaking of sacks, the Chiefs are allowing twice the number of sacks on Alex Smith as the Broncos are on Peyton Manning. Do you think Shaun Phillips and Von Miller will be able to take advantage?

AA: Yes. KC has the youngest offensive line in the NFL and Alex Smith is so careful with the football that he will hold on to the ball longer than most QBs. Those two things combined are the reasons he is getting sacked so much. But Smith likely figures he is better off punting, especially with the defense he has, than throwing the pick. It has been a blessing and a curse for this team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chiefs come out with an aggressive running and screen game. Andy Reid knows the Chiefs will need to score in this one and the best way to do that is to put the ball in the hands of Jamaal Charles. I look for him to see 30+ touches. You may also see a bit of Knile Davis, who has fumbling issues.

PO: What is it the Andy Reid has brought to the Chiefs to make them so successful so quickly?

AA: Attention to detail. Last year’s Chiefs were a sloppy team under Romeo Crennel. This year’s group doesn’t make a lot of mistakes which allows them to take advantage of their talent. Reid basically brings together all the personality and coaching traits of the team’s last two head coaches. Todd Haley was a task master and his teams were more disciplined but everyone hated him because he was a jerk. He also lacked experience. Everyone loved Crennel and he had plenty of experience but his teams were soft and mistake-prone. Reid brings the likeablity of Crennel and the discipline of Haley. Team need both in a coach, I think and the Chiefs have that in Reid.

PO: Finally, your prediction for Sunday night?

AA: As good as the Chiefs have been, they haven’t played well enough on offense to make me believe that they can hang with Denver, even with their defense playing so well. If the Chiefs aren’t more aggressive on offense than they have been so far this season, I think the Broncos will take it.

Denver 27, Chiefs 13

I really hope I’m wrong, though.

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