Things To Watch: Chiefs at Broncos

Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Josh Mauga (90) is introduced before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

3. James-Michael Johnson and Josh Mauga

A month ago the Chiefs were prepared to go into games with Joe Mays as the run stopping inside force and Derrick Johnson as the best all-around middle linebacker in the game. Thirty days later the Chiefs are without both of them due to injuries with DJ’s being bad enough to end his season.

KC now turns to James-Michael Johnson (JMJ) and Josh Mauga to be inside protectors. Test number one: Peyton Manning.

Today is not a day to over-think things if you are JMJ or Mauga. Being assignment sound is what’s going to be key for both of those guys if they are going to help contain Manning and his offense. Attempting to decipher what it is Manning is doing at the line probably isn’t going to end well if Mauga tries to play that game.

One would also expect JMJ and Mauga to get plenty of help in the box from Husain Abdullah and Eric Berry throughout the game. Both of those guys should be able to take away a lot of the pressure that’ll be on the two inside linebackers in various key situations.

At some point, however, Mauga and JMJ are going to have to get the job done on their own. Hopefully they are ready for the task.