How Broncos attack AFC West: Game planning against rivals
Kansas City Chiefs
With the addition of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs run a 4-man front switching between a standard 4-3 base their primary nickel base brining in an extra defensive back for a linebacker.
Spagnuolo emphasizes a pass rush with solid secondary play. The Chiefs have a terrific pass rush with defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge rusher Frank Clark. On the back end, the team boasts chess piece Tyrann Mathieu, who is capable of wrecking any offensive game plan.
The Chiefs value pressure to force the opposition to get the ball out quickly, which minimizes their weakness cornerback play outside.
During both matchups last year, the Chiefs loaded the box and forced the Broncos to throw the football. Often, the Chiefs showed blitz in both A-Gaps creating a lot of hot reads for the quarterback.
The Broncos can utilize a few different concepts to attack the Chiefs and keep up with Patrick Mahomes and Co.
One way to attack the Chiefs is the utilization of the Hi-Lo concepts out of a 3 wide receiver set, which is consists of two-level reads out of a variety of formations.
The Broncos can create havoc out of stack formations (two receives lined up close to each other behind the line of scrimmage). This can create natural picks and create easy separation in the middle of the field and force Matthieu to declare his responsibility, providing Drew Lock an advantage.
The Broncos can use either Noah Fant or Okwuegbunam to drive the seam with their 4.5 speed to occupy the safety. Depending on the presence of a single high or two high safety look Courtland Sutton can be utilized on an in route cutting dig route over the linebackers and under the safety.
Jeudy’s ability to create quick space underneath can be utilized in a “drive route” (or drag route) under the linebackers.
This kind of concept puts defenders in conflict as each offensive player compromises their responsibilities and opens up wide windows to attack.
On the backside, Hamler’s speed can be used to bait the other safety by going deep or even crossing behind the line of scrimmage in a jet-sweep.
Being able to create separation with their four primary targets, the Broncos can protect their edges with a chip from Gordon or Lindsay and Fant on the other side, thus shoring up protection across the front five.
Broncos will be able to get chunk plays against the Chiefs using stacked formations with hi-lo concepts to isolate and separate Matthieu and attacking the rest of the (suspect) secondary.