Broncos vs. Chiefs: Six questions about Kansas City

The Denver Broncos face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. We crossed enemy lines to talk to Matt Conner from Arrowhead Addict on the game.

A big time AFC West showdown takes place in prime time on Monday night. For first place in the AFC West, a critical matchup for the Denver Broncos will take place at home. That is a good thing for them. The team has a solid home field advantage when it comes to the Mile High altitude. While the Kansas City Chiefs have won the last three meetings there, it is time for a change.

Denver was close at home last year behind Paxton Lynch, but Patrick Mahomes III had one last drive up his sleeve and led the team downfield for a last second win. It would be the nail in the coffin in what was a bad season for the Denver Broncos.

Now it is time for a bit of redemption. Denver is long overdue for a win against the Chiefs. Their offense will be tough to stop, but the Chiefs also have not played a defense like the Broncos so far this year. It is only a matter of time when the Chiefs’ weakness of their defensive play ends up shooting the offense in the foot.

Monday will tell us quite a bit. I have decided to cross into enemy territory and chat with Matt Conner over at Arrowhead Addict. Here are a few things he had to say about the Kansas City Chiefs and the Monday night matchup.

What has contributed to the success of the Kansas City Chiefs so far this season?

The Chiefs had this same record last year, but the offensive prowess of this team is so far beyond last year. It’s really incredible the amount of confidence engendered in the fan base after just three games, but Patrick Mahomes is the real deal. He’s surrounded by a league-best cadre of weapons. I’m assuming Broncos fans know this feeling well having enjoyed Peyton Manning’s last great years in the NFL. It’s really something to behold.

Patrick Mahomes is on a record pace through three games. How do you feel about him as the quarterback of the franchise?

Elated. Overjoyed. Ebullient. Throw in whatever synonym you like, but the buzz has been perfect on this guy for the entire first year. His leadership, demeanor, attitude, work ethic, practice reps, IQ, etc. It was almost too good to be true when you read about him, because you’re thinking, ‘Why is the coaching staff, the owner, the teammates, the front office absolutely fawning ALL over this guy who hasn’t even hit the field yet?’ But he was concerned about even taking any endorsement deals in his first year so that he wouldn’t be seen as a bad teammate or stealing the spotlight.

Then you fast forward through the first month of the NFL season and you see just how everyone was right. He is, in fact, the real deal from top to bottom. It’s not just the arm strength but the insane windows he can make. He’s also not turned the ball over. Andy Reid said “he never ever makes the same mistake twice,” and we’ve seen that play out. It’s just uncanny to watch. The Steelers were down 21-0, the 49ers were down 35-7. The Chiefs race out to a lead and then the coaching changes a bit.

If and when the Chiefs decide to never, ever let off the gas in a game, you’re going to see 50-60 point outcomes as a natural occurrence a few times each year.

The Chiefs have scored a lot of points but have also given up a lot of points. Do you see that being an issue for the team down the road?

Well it’s certainly an issue. They’re 3-0 with the worst defense in the NFL, so there’s reason for hope that as they get better, things will change. The team will get Eric Berry back sometime in the next week, according to reports. I wouldn’t be surprised at some sort of acquisition as well. But there are a lot of new pieces that have to gel together. The pieces are not here for an elite defense. Too many holes in the middle, including safety, cornerback and linebacker. However, there are enough disruptive players to turn a corner and be average.

With the Chiefs losing some key players on defense this offseason, does that concern you going forward?

The loss of Eric Berry has meant everything. The trade of Marcus Peters has ruined any swagger in the secondary. It’s hard to overcome those two being out of the line-up although hopefully Berry can return to form soon enough. But yeah, the pass defense is very, very concerning.

The Chiefs come into Denver for a big game against the Broncos. What do they need to do to secure the win?

Well I would say they need to do the same thing they did last year and the year before that and the year before that. The offensive line will be tested by Denver’s pass rush for sure, but it will also be interesting to see them try to account for so many weapons and Reid’s offensive ingenuity. I’m telling you, it’s really something to see in person.

What is one player on the Chiefs roster that not a lot know about that can play a factor in Monday’s game?

I’ll bend the rules on this a bit and bring up a player that you likely think you know a lot about from previous years and reputation. But Sammy Watkins has been a revelation for this Chiefs offense. Forget any sort of bust label.

He’s still only 24 and has been an incredible addition. He has incredible hands and the catch radius is overwhelming. He’s versatile and Reid is using him outside, in motion, out of the slot. Then once he gets the ball, he’s as physical as they come.

I think he’s going to be a big asset for the Chiefs on Sunday as the Broncos will know to focus on the obvious in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. But Watkins is as good as either of them.

Thank You Matt for taking the time to chat with us. If you want to see what he and the rest of Arrowhead Addict are up to, you can check them out here.