How to contain Chiefs offense? Keep the ball
The Broncos look to avoid falling back to .500 when they host Kansas City Monday at 6:15 p.m. Here is a Week 4 whiparound:
Pressing question.
Can the Broncos’ offense neutralize Kansas City’s offense?
The Broncos’ offense should operate with a great sense of urgency. Threeandouts and turnovers are even more penal against the Chiefs, who have scored 38, 42 and 38 points in their three games.
“We know our defense accumulates their best stats when they’re on the sideline,” Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said after Friday’s practice. “We want to be on the field.”
The Broncos have four 10play and three fiveminute drives this year. They have seven threeandouts in the last two games.To avoid that, running back Royce Freeman must have room to run on first down.
“Let’s keep their offense right where they belong — on their sideline and keep our defense nice and rested (so) when they have to do their job, they’re fresh,” Musgrave said. “That means putting together drives, ending up in the end zone and getting points all the time.”
Spotlight player.
Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill has faced the Broncos three times, totaling 11 catches for 90 yards and a sevenyard average on seven punt returns.
“He’s the fastest person I’ve ever seen on the football field,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris said. “He’s always the motion guy. We’ve got to be ready for that. When I play the Chiefs, I try to make sure I’m in extra (physical) shape because I’ll be running around.”
Said Broncos coach Vance Joseph: “(Hill is) obviously a problem. He’s really fast. What he’s doing better is catching the football and his routerunning has improved. It’s really about having great eye placement, great (positioning) and our safeties having great, great range to keep deep balls from going over our head.”
Hill has 14 catches for 310 yards. His six catches of at least 25 yards lead the NFL and his 22.1yard average is third.
Watch for …
The Broncos’ response when Kansas City uses an empty backfield.
A staple of the Chiefs’ offense motioning running back Kareem Hunt into a receiver position. If the Broncos are in nickel (five defensive backs), it could mean linebackers Todd Davis or Brandon Marshall covering Hunt.
“Empty forces you to show your hand,” Joseph said. “(The quarterback) knows if it’s man or zone so he knows the matchup. He knows what he’s got.”
Empty backfield means it is almost always a pass play, but not a longerdeveloping play.
“If they go five wide, they’re throwing the ball fast,” linebacker Von Miller said. “It doesn’t change my rush. You want to get your hands up. When they go empty, it’s tricky because you’re thinking quick pass but it could be anything.”
According to Stats, Inc., Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL with a 118.3 passer rating when he has four or more receivers on the field.
Injury report.
Broncos cornerback Tramaine Brock (groin) missed his second consecutive practice. “I’m hopeful (Brock can play Monday),” Joseph said. “He ran (Friday) without pain so we’ll see.”
Limited on Friday were Marshall (knee), cornerback Adam Jones (thigh), defensive tackle Shelby Harris (ankle) and safety Dymonte Thomas (abdomen).
Joseph said Jones is not expected to have any limitations if he’s active.