Chiefs Vs Broncos: Final Headlines, X Factors

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The time for talking is almost done before Sunday’s kickoff. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. While this game does not involve two teams with winning records, plenty of motivation surrounds both squads. Kansas City will look to get back on track after a frustrating finish in Cincinnati against the Bengals. On the other hand, Denver has urgency to end their head-to-head losing streak with the Chiefs, looking to give KC their best shot.

We have discussed key matchups and gameplans all week long. What are the final headlines to watch for before Sunday’s kickoff? We will list those, along with players to watch for, who could be viewed as under the radar x factors entering the game from both the Chiefs and the Broncos. Let’s kick it off.

Final Headlines

Chiefs Look To Extend Head-To-Head Streak Over Broncos

If you have not been following this rivalry closely, you may be shocked to realize how long it has been since Denver defeated Kansas City. The Broncos last beat the Chiefs in September 2015. As a result, the Chiefs have won 13 consecutive games over the Broncos. Patrick Mahomes is also undefeated in career appearances against this particular AFC West opponent.

Why may the winning streak matter so much this weekend? From Denver’s perspective, it may just be a feather in the cap for the fanbase, given the Broncos will not be playoff bound. You also have to wonder if a possible win over Kansas City gives head coach Nathaniel Hackett a boost, as he appears to be on the hot seat as a possible one-and-done head coach with this franchise.

As for the Chiefs, you have the aforementioned hope of getting back on track. Letting last week’s mistakes linger into December could severely damage their Super Bowl aspirations. Finally, the Chiefs have also made AFC West rivals look foolish in the last handful of seasons, and do not take any of these games lightly. Thus, having this current winning streak over Denver is more prideful for the organization than most may realize.

Denver’s Defensive Strengths

The Broncos are ranked second in scoring defense this year. If the offense would have scored at least 18 points in every game this season, Denver would amazingly be 8-4 this season. Allowing just 17 points per game for 12 weeks running is never easy. That is especially true, though, in an NFL that is currently pass happy.

The Broncos are most dangerous in the secondary. Seemingly every season, the turnovers that Justin Simmons logs appears to fly under the radar. He has three interceptions this year in seven games played. That marks the fifth straight season where he will finish with at least three interceptions. Simmons has at least two interceptions in every career season, to boot. The mix of physicality and hitting power of Kareem Jackson should not be forgotten either.

As for the cornerbacks and the pass rush, younger players have all begun to take shape quickly for Denver. Patrick Surtain II may already be a top ten cornerback in the league, when you factor in his ball production, lack of consistent completions given up and comfort in man coverage. In the pass rush, Dre’Mont Jones and Baron Browning have combined for nine sacks this season. Their length and power at the point of attack should not be understated. Even rookie Nik Bonitto has found recent confidence and has begun to build momentum.

How Will Andy Reid Look To Attack Broncos?

Because the Broncos are so dominant on the perimeter and in the trenches defensively, Kansas City may have to be willing to adjust. Recently, Andy Reid and his staff has been more willing to be balanced and trust in the running game. Isiah Pacheco‘s production has been nothing short of outstanding for a rookie seventh-round pick. Largely, we have also seen Mahomes have more comfort in the quick passing game, while learning to take what the defense is giving him more often. Some of those options were taken away underneath last week. If that happens again, will the Chiefs be open to stretching the field vertically? Elsewhere, how often will we see the running game work towards the outside edges of the field? Those are just a couple of possible adjustments to monitor with the Kansas City offensive attack.

X Factors

Chiefs SAF Justin Reid

The entire middle of the Chiefs defense struggled miserably last week. No disappointments may have been as crucial as the Kansas City safeties. Of the usual starting duo, Justin Reid is worth monitoring the most this week. Reid had a fine start to the season. But in the last handful of games, his top traits have seemingly been nonexistent. You can usually rely on his versatility, range and leadership when he is rolling. What kind of response will Reid have this week? Even with how much the Broncos have struggled in the air, Denver is not shy about taking vertical shots and using the middle of the field.

Broncos RB Latavius Murray

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Due to injuries and other roster moves, it is Latavius Murray who has assumed the starting running back spot in Denver. His numbers will not knock anybody’s socks off. Yet, Murray is still dependable to gain tough yards in between the tackles and can make defenders miss. Sneakily, he has three rushing touchdowns in seven games with the Broncos this season. Denver may look to keep the ball away from Kansas City’s offense and lengthen drives as much as possible. In order to stay in it with that course of action, Murray may look to come through on countless occasions.

Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling has seen his production fluctuate from week to week. Overall, MVS has been able to put daggers into opponents’ hearts when winning in contested catch situations deep down the field. In other moments, the lack of separation has put Kansas City in binds. The Chiefs are still one of the more successful third down offenses in the entire league. But, inconsistency from Valdes-Scantling does not bode well in those situations. Can he come through against a challenging defense, who may be much stiffer than most pass defenses that the Chiefs have seen?

Broncos CB Damarri Mathis

Broncos rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis struggled with being too grabby and getting penalties when initially receiving more playing time. But in recent weeks, he has been mostly solid in coverage. His body positioning forces quarterbacks to throw a perfectly accurate ball around his tight placement. Meanwhile, Mathis is not afraid to get physical at the catch point or the line of scrimmage. For a rookie cornerback, he is not afraid to come up and make tackles in space, either.

Be on the lookout for our FPC Chiefs recap and reaction articles following Sunday’s game. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.