The Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos engage in a divisional matchup this Sunday, with the former looking to add more to their lead atop the AFC West, while the latter takes aim at winning their third game in a row. Check out our preview of this game below.
Of course, you’ve heard of the big story. Which is the arrival of another RB1 in Kansas City, with Le’Veon Bell opting to join the reigning Super Bowl champs after securing his release from the awful New York Jets. However, it’s uncertain as of the moment whether Bell is going to make his debut for the Chiefs this week against the Broncos. In any case, the Chiefs will have at least one elite running back, barring an injury, on the field on Sunday, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire ready to go. CEH exploded for 161 rushing yards on 26 carries in last Monday’s 26-17 road win over the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs’ ground attack has been an excellent safety net for Kansas City’s offense, as the team can always rely on Edwards-Helaire and company to take the ball and run with it successfully more often than not when Patrick Mahomes gets under pressure. The Chiefs are sixth in the league with 140.3 rushing yards per game, and adding a pass-catching back like Bell should also open a whole lot more looks on their offense. Kansas City’s defense, meanwhile, could get a few bonuses against Denver, which is averaging 2.0 giveaways per game.
The Chiefs are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
After a long layoff, the Broncos got back on the field last Sunday and eked out an 18-12 road win against the New England Patriots. It was also Drew Lock’s first game since Week 2. Lock looked rusty in that contest, as he went just 10-of-24 for 189 passing yards without a touchdown and two picks thrown. However, Denver’s ferocious defense kept the Pats in check, as the Broncos forced New England to turn the ball over thrice while also sacking Cam Newton four times for a loss of 24 yards for the Patriots. That kind of pass rush will be needed by Denver this coming Sunday, as the Broncos want Mahomes to be as uncomfortable in the pocket as possible. Denver’s offense also got a boost from the return of running back Phillip Lindsay from injury, as he led the team with 101 rushing yards on 23 carries against the Patriots. Denver’s rushing attack should be deeper if Melvin Gordon makes his return following his absence last week due to an illness that doesn’t appear to be anything serious.
The Broncos are 4-2 against the spread in their lsat six home games.
