Offense

Broncos - Run, run, run. Good things happen when the Broncos run. Knowshon Moreno has been consistently good, and with the help of Correll Buckhalter, they’ve been able to tire opposing defenses. The Chiefs rush defense is terrible, but the sad part about the team is their pass defense is even worse. If the Broncos stay on the positive side of the turnover margin (which shouldn’t be too hard to do), the win is guaranteed. This is a great game for the Broncos to work on converting in the redzone. Last week, they settled for four field goals, which ultimately led to the win, but that won’t work in every game. Converting in the redzone could’ve prevented McD’s outburst on the NFL Network. Not that the Broncos are worried about that, but it goes to show that their redzone struggles are a concern for the young head coach. The Chiefs are known for giving up big pass plays, so if Kyle Orton and Brandon Marshall get their connection going, it could be a long day for Chiefs fans.            

Chiefs- The man indirectly involved in Denver’s offseason drama will square up against his former mentor. Matt Cassel’s life was good last year. He led the Pats to an 11-5 record, and he was the talk of the town. I’m sure he soaked it all up until he landed squarely in the the middle of Kansas City’s rebuilding project. Good thing that 6 year, $63 million contract cushioned his fall from grace. The Chiefs are 26th is passing, but Cassel is establishing a great working relationship with new target, Chris Chambers. Chambers has started four games with the Chiefs and already has 17 catches for 319 yards and 3 TDs. A matchup with Champ Bailey could slow him down. The other guy to be concerned about is Dwayne Bowe who leads the team in receiving. The Chiefs released troubled running back, Larry Johnson, leaving Jamaal Charles to pick up the slack. Their running game isn’t much better than their passing game at 22nd in the NFL. Branden Albert is the Chiefs’ almighty left tackle, and should be Matt Cassel’s dry cleaner as well. Cassel has been sacked 35 times, good enough for 2nd most in the league next to Aaron Rodgers.              

Defense

Broncos - Brian Dawkins is questionable for Sunday due to ankle problems. It would be interesting to see how this defense plays without his leadership abilities and intensity out on the field. Elvis Dumervil should be able to get at least a sack or two against the Chiefs struggling o-line. I suspect the Chiefs will pass a lot since the Broncos will concentrate on Jamaal Charles and his recent success. With Cassel being pressured in the pocket, don’t be surprised to see the young QB throw a ball into the arms of Champ Bailey or Andre Goodman. Cassel tends to lean on his main targets, so getting to him in the pocket will force him into some errant throws. Denver’s defense did a great job against the Giants, creating 3 turnovers and limiting their ground game to just 57 yards. The Broncos did a great job anticipating the play rather than letting the play happen and being forced to close huge gaps. That’s the same thing that needs to happen this week.            

Chiefs- The Chiefs and defense? What’s there to talk about? Ranked 27th in rush defense and 30th in pass defense, and with a league low, 14 sacks on the season, the Broncos could easily have their way with the ball. Philip Rivers had his way with their defense last week, and put together a 43 point performance. As I said before, the Chiefs give up some big plays because the coverage isn’t tight in the secondary. Things went down hill for them when Bernard Pollard was released and Jarrad Page was placed on the IR. The Broncos have started throwing longer balls, so look for them to take advantage of the Chiefs in this area. Demorrio Williams is leading the team in tackles, Tamba Hali and Wallace Gilberry are leading the team in sacks (3.5 a piece), and Mike Brown, Brandon Flowers, and Andy Studebaker all have 2 INTs a piece. Attention fantasy owners: Knowshon and Marshall are good options this week.      

Special Teams  

Broncos - Special teams is doing well as of late. Matt Prater is on his game, and we have two rookies (Darcel McBath and David Burton) leading the team in special teams’ tackles. It’s in the losses that special teams has given up touchdowns or big plays that lead to TDs. Eddie Royal will feel the weight on his shoulders as he tries to return punts from one of the best in the league.

Chiefs-  Punter Dustin Colquitt allows the Chiefs to win the field position game quite often. Of his 69 punts this year, 31 have landed inside the 20 and 6 have landed inside the 10. It looks like the Broncos’ offense could have many long fields ahead of them. Ryan Succop, the very last player taken in the ’09 draft, is a solid kicker except when he kicks from beyond 50. Jamaal Charles has returned a kick for a touchdown this year. 

Coaching

Broncos -  Josh McDaniels probably won’t be caught cursing his team out, but he knows the Chiefs can’t be taken lightly. They’ve already beaten the Steelers, and they went into overtime against the Cowboys. McD knows Cassel’s weak spots and he knows how to prepare his team. This could be the most lopsided game of the season.   

Chiefs- Like McD, Todd Haley is new to his team after seeing success last year as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl bound Arizona Cardinals. Unlike McD, however, Haley has experienced a lot of tough times. At 3-8, look for Haley to forego the conservative play calling. He knows being effective on offense requires a fast pace against Denver’s always revolving defensive door.   

 Go Broncos!

Kansas City Chiefs - Last year’s 4-12 season sent Chiefs fans longing for the days of Priest Holmes and a healthy Trent Green. The ups and downs continued for the team in the offseason as they lost Jared Allen to the Vikes, and nabbed Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert in the first round of the draft.

To Broncos fans: Don’t worry too much about this team. While playing at Arrowhead isn’t a dream come true, we had some success against this team even during last year’s abysmal season. As Jay Cutler was dropping pounds, we put a beating on the Chiefs both times we played them. The life-saving efforts of Tony Gonzales may just be the highlight of the Chiefs’ year for fans.

Chiefs outlook – Overall Record: 7-9; AFC Record: 2-4 (They can beat the Raiders twice)  

Oakland Raiders - They get the NFL award for Most Continuous Rebuilding Seasons. Raider Nation longs for any before season before 2003. They have high hopes for a team that went 4-12 last year. JaMarcus Russell will be under the microscope this season, but Javon Walker’s huge contract does not need to be. They picked up Darren McFadden in the draft prompting them to release veteran back LaMont Jordan. I’m sure Jordan will enjoy being a New England Patriot more anyways.

To Broncos fans: Look for two very physical games between these two teams this year. Coach Shanahan has always loved to put a beating on the team that fired him in 89′. I’m pretty sure the Broncos want to get their hands on Javon Walker too.

Raiders outlook – Overall Record: 6-10; AFC Record: 0-6 (Yes, I said it!)

San Diego Chargers - They’ve got the all-star cast in Rivers, Tomlinson, and Gates, and they play in a rebuilding division. They will make the playoffs but find that their success stops when they meet someone like the Colts or the Pats. They got defensive back Antoine Cason in last year’s draft.

To Broncos fans – There’s definitely some heated blood between the two teams. Last year’s trash talking not only took national headlines, but it made Philip Rivers look like the fool that he is. There are scores to be settled after the romping the Broncos took at home (41-3), and again on Christmas Eve (23-3).

Chargers outlook – Overall Record: 10-6; AFC Record: 5-1 (They lose once to the Broncos)      

- Roger Goodell’s decision to speed up the draft. It was nice getting the first round over with in 3.5 hours instead of the 6 hour marathon that we had to endure last year.

- Mike Shanahan’s proclamation that Ryan Clady “will start at left tackle the day he comes in” (Denver Post). That’s confidence in a rookie that Shanahan doesn’t usually show.

- No one had to suffer from Brady Quinn/Aaron Rodgers syndrome. All six players that were invited to New York were the top six picks in the draft.

The Bad

- The Chiefs just got a whole lot better. With the additions of Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, and Brandon Flowers, they could give the Broncos some problems this season.

- Teams were moving all over the board with eight trades in the first round. Go to the bathroom and to the fridge for a beer and you could miss your team’s pick.

The Ugly

- Jets’ fans reacting to drafting TE Dustin Keller in the first round:

The Weird

– Jonathan Stewart’s quote on his running ability: “I’m explosive, a power runner, North and South – more North” (Yahoo Sports). The Panthers are screwed.

Broncos Breakdown

The Broncos have only made two selections thus far, and I’ve already covered Ryan Clady, so let’s talk about their 2nd round (42nd overall) pick. They went with WR Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech. At 5’9”, 184 lbs, Royal is not the typical big receiver that most teams are after these days, but don’t underestimate his guy. He put up 24 reps on the bench press at the combine which was most out of any receiver invited. He also clocked a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash and leaped 36 inches while at the vertical jump station. The Broncos brought him in as a punt returner and a backup WR anyway, so don’t get too down on this pick. He should put on a good show in 2008.