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Denver Broncos: Key matchups vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

By Nicholas Manning

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Ojemudia #23 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Ojemudia #23 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Phillip Lindsay
Oct 18, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) runs past New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (51) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Matchup 2: Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon vs. the Chiefs front seven

The Chiefs defense brings pressure but struggles against the run, ranking 27th in rush DVOA. The Chiefs defense brings a lot of talent up front with Chris Jones and Frank Clark, but have been gashed by opposing offenses in the run game.

Denver’s key is to utilize the run game early, often, and keep pace with the Chiefs so they do not have to abandon the run game early.

The Chiefs should be vulnerable in the run game for a Broncos team sporting two back-to-back 100-yard rushers in Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1318276733217443841

The Chiefs have a solid secondary, so yards through the air may be tough, but Gordon and Lindsay could have a big game as the weather is expected to be cold with snow.

If the run game gets moving, the Broncos could use play-action to get Jerry Jeudy or Noah Fant over the middle and Patrick or K.J. Hamler deep for a big play.

Either way, expect the Chiefs to load the box just as they did a year ago against the Broncos, and the offense still needs to establish themselves on the ground anyway.

Next. 3 trades the Broncos should consider in 2020. dark

Overall, the Broncos can surprise the NFL landscape (just like last week) by hitting Kansas City in the mouth, similar to how the Raiders did so two weeks ago. Controlling the game on the ground and getting pressure with solid zone coverage behind it is a proven way to challenge the Chiefs.

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