Denver Broncos: Gameplan to beat the Kansas City Chiefs
1. Denver Broncos offense vs. Kansas City Chiefs defense
The Broncos will be able to make some plays outside (see Tim Patrick toasting the Patriots for big plays last week), but should feel enticed to gash Chiefs on the ground.
The Broncos are confident in the front five for the first time in recent memory.
The play of Graham Glasgow and Lloyd Cushenbarry III has improved, and the insertion of Demar Dotson has really helped the offensive line. Garett Bolles has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, and they’ll need him to continue his strong play if this offense wants to continue to gain traction.
Additionally, for all the acclaim the Chiefs have received so far, their interior run defense shows some weaknesses.
Both Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon are capable of pounding the ball inside for big gains.
The Broncos can attack the Chiefs utilizing a few run concepts before going big with play-action over the top.
First, Shurmur can utilize inside zone to take advantage of the offensive line’s mobility to create natural run gaps inside.
The Broncos have five starting linemen who show above-average mobility to reach the Chiefs’ undersized but athletic front seven.
Both Lindsay and Gordon are capable of pounding the ball inside for big gains.
The Broncos can attack the Chiefs utilizing a few run concepts before going big with play-action over the top.
First, Shurmur can utilize inside zone plays to maximize Godon’s effectiveness and to take advantage of the offensive line’s mobility (even if Austin Schlottmann plays for Dalton Risner) to create creases for some big runs.
The Raiders and Patriots often used this philosophy, giving the Broncos some key indicators on how to move the ball on this defense.
How does the action work?
The guards or center covered by defensive lineman flows to an area to engage the nearest defender and the others who are covered double to create a push before moving to the second-level defender.
The Broncos have the personnel get to the Chiefs’ second-level and get some initial push on the line.
Second, the Broncos can use pin and pull concepts to use the defense’s aggressive style against them and get Lindsay outside for big gains. The Broncos can pin the outside defender down with a flanking tight end or receiver and use the play side guard (Graham Glasgow) or tackle (most likely Garett Bolles) to pull outside to pick up the trailing defender or a corner trying to keep contain.
These calls can give the offense some consistent, and even chunk gains to help the running back break contain more chances to challenge defenders in open space.
Once they establish the run, the Broncos can then use K.J. Hamler’s sub 4.3 speed or Patrick’s jump ball skills to hit the Chiefs deep. Patrick and Jerry Jeudy should have a man advantage against anyone not named Tyrann Matthieu.