Now that things have settled down a bit after the draft, let’s get back to looking ahead at the Broncos 2012 schedule. We will continue to take a game-by-game look at the season that the team has in front of them.
Winning at Arrowhead is never an easy thing to do, but the Broncos will test their strength in week 12 against the Chiefs. The Chiefs will be coming off a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs were hampered by injuries to their stars last season, but they still finished 7-9. Matt Cassel played in just nine games, Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry, and Tony Moeaki went down with injuries as well.
When the Broncos and Chiefs met in 2011, the Broncos won in November at Arrowhead 17-10. Then in week 17, the Chiefs won 7-3.
The Chiefs were hurting on offense, literally. The injuries helped them to a 31st ranking in points (13.3 per game). They were 15th in rushing and 25th in passing.
On defense, they were 12th in points allowed (21.1 per game), 26th in rush defense, and 6th in pass defense.
Free agency saw the Chiefs bring in some good talent in former Broncos Peyton Hillis and Brady Quinn. The team also picked up tight end Kevin Boss and offensive tackle Eric Winston. The Chiefs’ backfield is one to be frightened of.
The Chiefs used the draft to stack their lines. They picked the numbers King, DT Dontari Poe, with their first round pick (11th overall). Then it was two guards (Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson) to beef up the offensive line.
Assuming the Chiefs stay healthy this season, this is a deadly bunch.
Early Prediction: Broncos – 21 Chiefs – 17. Sneak one in Arrowhead just like last year.
Chiefs Leaders in 2011:
Matt Cassel – 160-for-269 (59.5%), 1,713 passing yards, TDs, 9 INTs
Jackie Battle – 597 yards (39.8 per game), 2 TDs
Dwayne Bowe – 81 receptions, 1,159 yards, 5 TDs, 1 fumbles
Derrick Johnson – 131 tackles
Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr – 4 INTs each
Tamba Hali – 12 sacks
Make sure to follow Predominantly Orange on Facebook and on Twitter.