Things To Watch: Chiefs at Broncos
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Denver this afternoon to try and rebound from their awful week one performance against Tennessee. Here are some things to pay attention to during today’s game to see what kind of progress the Chiefs have made over the last week.
1. Snap Counts
One of the more perplexing things about KC’s loss to Tennessee was the lack of time players like Travis Kelce, Dee Ford, and Vance Walker saw on the field. To win games like today’s the Chiefs have to better utilize their depth and their roster to their advantage. Keeping a weapon like Kelce off the field so often isn’t going to help the team move the ball consistently.
More playing time is especially going to be needed with Ford and Walker as the Chiefs have to supply a strong pass rush if they are going to slow down Peyton Manning. Running Justin Houston and Tamba Hali out there play after play isn’t going to work if the goal is to sustain constant pressure on Manning. The Chiefs need guys like Ford, Walker, Allen Bailey, and Jaye Howard to step up and make some plays today.
None of that matters though if they never see the field.