Denver’s seven-game profitable streak faces its subsequent problem this Sunday at house as they tackle essentially the most annoying crew within the league; the Kansas City Chiefs. But latest historical past has been good to the Denver Broncos as they’ve received two of the final three matchups and have been mere inches away from profitable of their first matchup from final season. Let’s simply not speak about what occurred outdoors of the final three video games.
These two groups appear to be in several spots on their respective seasons, and so they’re each unusual to see. The Broncos are attempting to show to themselves and the league that they belong on the high of the standings, and there’s a ton they will achieve from a win this weekend, one factor being a 91% probability to win the division. And alternatively, you’ve gotten the Chiefs making an attempt to stave off accusations of it lastly being a down yr for them and so they now have some work to do if they need to win the AFC West.
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This is an enormous recreation for both crew. Here are three issues the Broncos probably want to do if they need to finish Week 11 nonetheless on high of the division.
1. Mix in quantity of unique seems to be within the run recreation
At the time of scripting this, JK Dobbins has not formally been scratched from this recreation, however it does seem very probably that he won’t be lively come Sunday. While it does actually damage not having the league’s fifth-best working again this yr, it’s not doom for the offense. There continues to be a lot they will obtain with RJ Harvey toting a lot of the carries, whether or not it’s of their conventional offense, or if they need to combine issues up within the backfield.
The Broncos aren’t strangers to placing two guys within the backfield. That could be simply pairing up Harvey with Adam Prentice, or that would additionally embrace pairing Harvey up with somebody like Marvin Mims. There are tons of instances the place the Broncos ran Split Gun final yr with Mims and Jaleel McLaughlin and people performs often got here with little bit of success.
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The unique seems to be will give the Chiefs one other factor to have to concentrate to. The combine of having the ability to run orbit motions with Mims, both giving it to him or having Harvey run Inside Zone beneath it, or turning that look right into a Spinner Counter, or a myriad of different seems to be will open up new lanes for this dashing assault. And then there’s what these dashing seems to be can even open up for the passing recreation, particularly Mims and Harvey working wheel routes out of the backfield.
I’m certain Sean Payton has some methods up his sleeve. We may simply need to keep away from him pulling out stated methods on third and quick conditions.
2. Win the one-on-one cross rush battles
The Chiefs don’t hand over many sacks. They’ve solely allowed 17 sacks up to now this yr (1.9 per recreation) and that’s due to each good offensive line play and Patrick Mahomes nonetheless having the ability to do job in avoiding hits/ sacks. It’s apparent that getting to Mahomes would have a dramatic impact on the sport, however the defensive position could have to try this in all probability with little assist from the linebackers or defensive backs.
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Vance Joseph is aware of greater than I do, however it’s my assumption that Denver won’t ship as a lot strain this week as they often do. Mahomes at all times has an innate potential to make defenses pay for doing this, and that’s each along with his arm and his legs. The Broncos could have to present heavy respect to their passing assault, leaving extra individuals in protection, and sending much less alongside facet the defensive entrance. So which means that it’ll be up to Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, Zach Allen, and the remainder want to being their A-game.
If Denver can persistently get strain on Mahomes whereas solely dashing 4, that’ll do wonderful issues for the again seven.
3. Play to the opponents’ degree
Usually it’s a nasty factor to do that, however this week is a particular state of affairs. We all can simply acknowledge the truth that this Broncos crew loves to play to the extent of their opponent, and often which means taking part in down, skill-wise. But over this profitable streak they’ve been in a position to rise to the event when wanted. They out-played the highest crew within the NFC. They placed on an offensive masterpiece when going towards one of many league’s finest offenses. And the protection has greater than proven up each single time.
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If the Broncos can play up to the extent of the Chiefs and no less than match their potential in some classes, then this offense ought to have the option to put up sufficient factors to win this factor. We all know the protection may be very probably going to do their half.