Broncos, Chiefs renew rivalry in crucial AFC West battle

CAN DENVER’S PASS RUSH GET HOME?

The Broncos’ move rush is on tempo for a historic season — and it’ll should be at its greatest towards Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City.

The Chiefs’ offense has surged again in current weeks, as Mahomes led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passing yards throughout a five-week span from Weeks 4-8. If Denver can strain Mahomes, although, it might end in a distinct consequence.

In video games through which Mahomes has been pressured at a price decrease than 25 % this season, he’s 4-1 and has accomplished 71.8 % of his passes for 14 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 114.8 quarterback ranking. In video games when he is been pressured at the next price, he is 1-3 with a 55.4 completion proportion, three touchdowns, two interceptions and a 77.0 quarterback ranking.

Denver’s 42.9 strain price this season, in the meantime, leads the NFL and is the best of the Next Gen Stats period, which dates again to 2018.

While the Broncos have been capable of convey strain with simply 4 rushers, in addition they have the fifth-highest blitz price within the league. And by way of 9 video games, Mahomes’ 5.64 completion proportion and 83.8 passer ranking vs. the blitz rank as profession lows for Mahomes.

As Broncos followers have discovered throughout his profession, although, Mahomes has a knack for improvisation. He leads the NFL with 513 whole yards on scrambles, posting 229 move yards and 284 rush yards whereas on the transfer.

While getting after Mahomes, the Broncos might want to additionally preserve him contained within the pocket.

“He’s been the best for a long time,” Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph mentioned. “He’s a winner. The plays he can make off schedule, that makes it tough. They’re in the huddle and they have a play called, and you can defend that play perfectly and he can obviously buy time in the second act. That’s where he makes his explosive plays.”

The Broncos’ protection has held Mahomes in examine within the three conferences since Joseph’s return to Denver, because the Chiefs have averaged fewer than 15 factors per recreation in these conferences. And whereas Joseph downplayed the significance of that stat, one other comparable efficiency will surely profit the Broncos’ effort.

Whether within the purple zone — the place Denver’s top-ranked unit will face the Chiefs’ third-ranked group — or elsewhere, the Broncos might take an enormous step towards a win if the workforce’s move rush could make Mahomes uncomfortable.

HOW WILL THE BRONCOS RESPOND TO ADVERSITY?

The next-man-up mentality will probably be on show Sunday.

Denver dominated out 5 gamers for the Week 11 matchup, together with starters Pat Surtain II, Alex Singleton and J.Okay. Dobbins.

“It’s our league,” Payton mentioned. “You’ve heard me say that, and we’ve played teams earlier in the season that have been in this position. … It has to be the next man up.”

Surtain will miss his third consecutive recreation, and Denver should handle to gradual the proficient Rashee Rice with out the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Rice has caught 13 passes for 173 yards and a landing over the previous two video games, and Payton mentioned Rice’s return “has really helped” the Chiefs’ offense. The Broncos have held their final two opponents in examine with out Surtain, however Sunday will signify a distinct kind of problem.

At linebacker, the Broncos ought to seemingly be capable to depend on two skilled gamers in Dre Greenlaw and Justin Strnad. Greenlaw performed a season-high 62 % of the snaps in a Week 10 win over the Raiders as he recorded 5 tackles, a deal with for loss, a pressured fumble and a move defensed.

“It’s been remarkable,” Payton mentioned of Greenlaw’s affect. “That goal-line stand a week or two ago [was impressive]. He’s a physical, physical tackler, and he has that ‘it.’ I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Payton mentioned Strnad, who has began 14 video games over the past two seasons, can also be “extremely” useful to the workforce.

Denver may also seemingly rely on working again RJ Harvey, as Payton mentioned the rookie will obtain extra alternatives. The younger participant, who has 4 whole touchdowns in his final three video games, mentioned he is set for the elevated workload.

“I’m ready,” Harvey mentioned Friday. “Whatever Coach needs me to do, I’m ready to go on the field. I had a great week of practice. [I’m] just ready to go.”

As the Broncos look to earn a win over the Chiefs, a number of gamers stepping up within the face of adversity will probably be key.