Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: Matchup analysis
By David Thomas
Welcome to Week 12 folks.
It’s been a bumpy season, but we’re just getting started. The Chiefs are sitting at 7-3 ahead of where they were at this point last season at 5-5. On Sunday we begin our push for the playoffs as we have four of our final six games against divisional opponents. Sunday the Chiefs are on the road to Denver coming off a bye. It’s Sunday Night Football, and the Chiefs are 3-8 in primetime since Andy Reid became our coach. It’s time to see what the Chiefs are really made of.
Spencer Ware vs. Denver Broncos Defensive Line
This isn’t quite the same Broncos defense the Chiefs faced the last few years. The Broncos rank 29th in rushing yards allowed per game, and stuff the run only 12% of the time (League average is 19%). Last year the Broncos ranked 3rd in rushing yards allowed, and stuffed the run 24% of the time (league average was 21%).
The loss in rush defense can partly be attributed to the loss of Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan. But it doesn’t stop there. Jared Crick (ranked 113th), Sylvester Williams (81st), and Billy Winn (72nd) are all playing at a below average level according to PFF. Derek Wolfe (ranked 26th) returned to practice on Monday after sustaining an elbow injury against Oakland on Nov. 6th, and should aid the Broncos rush defense.
With the Chiefs up against a weak rush defense expect a heavy workload for Spencer Ware against the Broncos. In games Ware has at least 15 attempts he averages 4.46 yards per carry for 88 yards. So far this season the Broncos have faced an average of 28.4 rushing attempts per game giving up 4.4 yards per carry. It’s safe to say no matter the outcome we can expect to see much of Spencer Ware this Sunday Night.