Can the Chiefs overtake the Broncos in 2015?

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

For the past four seasons the Chiefs have finished behind the Broncos. Peyton Manning has been too good to overcome to this point as the Chiefs haven’t had a roster that was capable of stopping Denver’s passing attack and scoring enough points to stay ahead of Denver. Peyton is one of the best QB’s to have ever played in the NFL and even though he may be on the downside of his career he is still capable of putting a team on his shoulders and carrying them to victory.

To beat Manning you have to be able to hide your defensive assignments well and be able to get after him early and often. You can’t let Manning get into a rhythm and you can’t allow him to diagnose your defense before the ball is snapped or it will be a first down for the Broncos in the best case and could be far worse. Manning is one of the most brilliant minds in the NFL when it comes to game planning and part of the reason he is so successful is because he is second to none in his preparation.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest benefits Manning will provide his team is the ability to be in any game just because he is their quarterback. Demaryius Thomas will be back in 2015 hungry to prove he is worthy of the contract he just signed for 5 years and 70 million dollars. The players that Denver has lost are replaceable mostly because Manning can make everyone around him better.

Denver’s defense poses multiple difficulties against the pass. With Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware the Broncos have a pass rushing tandem that would be best in the division in just about any other division in the NFL besides the AFC West. Aqib Talib and Chris Harris are two corners who are both capable of shutting down their side of the field. With solid help from the safety position and a couple of ILB’s that can drop into coverage, Denver’s pass defense will slow down most passing games. Where the Broncos will more than likely struggle will be stopping the run. With the loss of Terrance Knighton the Broncos will have to look for other help to slow down rushing attacks. Playing in the AFC West the last place you want to have a defensive weakness is in the rush defense where all four teams have running backs that are at the least above average and the Chiefs have one that is exceptional.

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