Denver Broncos: Key matchups vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

What are the key matchups between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs?

Since week one, I have taken a look at two critical individual matchups the Denver Broncos needed to win to come out of each game with a victory. Last week the Broncos came up with a win on the road against the heavily favored New England Patriots.

My two key matchups from the last few weeks showed out. Bradley Chubb balled out with his best game of the year against the New York Jets, and Tim Patrick made some big plays against the Patriots for a bit second win.

Throughout the season, I’ll continue to break down two key individual matchups each week that are critical to a Broncos win.

This week, the Denver Broncos face off with the Kansas City Chiefs at home. The Chiefs are coming off a win against the AFC East division-leading Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs are primed to make another Super Bowl run.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has not been the all-world player he has been but is still playing elite at the start of the season. The Chiefs also brought in Le’Veon Bell after his release from the New York Jets to add to the league’s most dangerous offense.

On defense, the versatile and impactful safety/nickel corner Tyrann Mathieu is one of the best defenders in the league, and defensive lineman Chris Jones is an absolute terror inside.

The Broncos got a timely return of quarterback Drew Lock and running back Phillip Lindsay from injury. Those two will be counted on big this week against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Additionally, the Broncos could get back cornerback A.J. Bouye, running back Melvin Gordon, wide receiver K.J. Hamler, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive linemen Dre’Mont Jones and DeMarcus Walker.

This team is poised to make some noise if they can upset the Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday and find themselves back to .500 after an 0-3 start.

So, what players will help catapult the team to a victory against the reigning champs?

This week, I look at who must win their matchups to ensure the Broncos win against the Chiefs this week.

Matchup 1: Denver Broncos Secondary vs. Patrick Mahomes

Last season, the Broncos struggled mightily against the Chiefs and had not beaten their division foe since early in the 2015 season.

To come away with a win, the team’s secondary will have to show up with a strong game against the Chiefs’ vaunted passing attack led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes is currently winning at everything he does. Mahomes is an NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and World Champion…all under the age of 25.

He can make throws no one else in the league can, and he gets the absurd amount of media coverage to prove it.

Mahomes is flanked outside by speedsters Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins. Additionally, he has Denver Bronco killer, tight end Travis Kelce underneath.

For the Broncos to win this game, the secondary will have to hold up long enough for the defensive front to apply pressure.

Currently, the Broncos are giving up 239 yards per game through the air. Patrick Mahomes is 5th in the league in yards. So, something will have to give this Sunday.

For the Broncos, Bouye is set to return. His presence alongside Bryce Callahan and rookie Michael Ojemudia should give the team their best 1-2-3 punch since the “No-Fly-Zone” was in its prime.

Ojemudia has been a revelation, and Bryce Callahan has shown Broncos Country exactly why the Broncos pursued him last off-season.

Callahan and Ojemudia created several turnovers last week and will need to again for the Broncos to win this week. If Mahomes can complete passes to his playmakers without a big play from the defense to worry him, it will be a long day for Denver.

The addition of Bouye should only help the defense, as long as they continue their solid communication efforts on the backend.

Bouye, a steady veteran, should reacclimate fairly quickly to his teammates. If he does, the Broncos zone defense should remain solid. A strategy the Las Vegas Raiders used successfully just a few weeks ago.

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.

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.