Healthy Denver Broncos Ready For Primetime Tilt Against Chiefs
By Brad James
This is a huge game for both teams with the Broncos and Chiefs each 7-3 in the AFC West standings. Perhaps divisional leader, 8-2 Oakland, will have lost to the Carolina Panthers earlier on Sunday.
In any event, the Broncos are the healthiest they’ve been in 10 weeks, per head coach Gary Kubiak. The CBS Denver injury report states only long-snapper Casey Kreiter is out.
The Broncos have replaced him with former Chiefs long-snapper Thomas Gafford. To make room, they released nose tackle Darius Kilgo.
This was a wise move as long-snapping is so essential to an NFL team and games can change if anything goes wrong on special teams.
The Broncos will mostly benefit from the return to the lineup of defensive end Derek Wolfe and cornerback Aqib Talib.
In Talib’s stead, though, defensive backs Lorenzo Doss and Justin Simmons have made numerous plays to help the Broncos get key wins.
The Simmons’ blocked PAT at New Orleans returned by Will Parks for two points and a 25-23 win saved the season.
Meanwhile, after the Chiefs’ 19-17 loss to Tampa Bay Sunday, venerated analyst Brian Billick had this to say.
The #Chiefs should still be counting their blessings...that loss should have been their 3rd straight. Instead 2-1 in ugly 3-game stretch.
— Brian Billick (@CoachBillick) November 20, 2016
We just had U.S. Thanksgiving so it’s safe to say both the Broncos and Chiefs have a lot to be thankful for in Week 12.
The Broncos also made some changes at team headquarters this week, unveiling the third Super Bowl trophy won last season.
To me, this was a clear sign that the Broncos are all about business as the home stretch commences.
If the Broncos can get to 8-3, they have winnable games upcoming at Jacksonville and Tennessee December 4 and 11.
If the Broncos take care of business, they can really make things hard on reeling Kansas City and still be a thorn in Oakland’s side.
Initially, bad weather had been planned but per 9 News meteorologist Marty Conigilio, not so:
In any event, this is your game thread so use it wisely. If any Chiefs fans happen upon us, treat them kindly, the Broncos way. GO BRONCOS!!!