Film Study: How the Chiefs can get a crucial road win over Broncos
By Grant Tuttle
Defensively:
Avoid giving up big run plays (Watch)
This rushing game is no longer a joke and the statistics back it up. Denver is currently fourth in the league in rushing yards. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman are dangerous backs in space with a great balance of speed and power. On this play, the offense runs a simple toss play. With a few blocks, Freeman finds the edge and gets 15 yards down the field before anyone even touches him. The Chiefs will need their outside linebackers to contain the edges and they will need their interior defensive linemen to get push.
The Chiefs safeties have been underwhelming to this point in the season. This will be yet another test for them. On this play, Case Keenum finds Demaryius Thomas on a deep post. Although this was all for naught because of a holding penalty, Keenum find a hole in the defense. The safety does not see Thomas and does not get deep enough and gets taken advantage of. Keenum will take advantage of this better than Brock Osweiler or Trevor Siemian ever could have. The offense is better now with Keenum at the helm. That is a certainty. How much better remains to be seen.
The Broncos offense uses this more than you may realize. Early in the season, the offense has used this end around, misdirection, pre-snap motion frequently. Obviously they don’t give it to Emmanuel Sanders on the end around every time. They normally hand it off up the middle, or throw off of play action. However, the playmakers for Denver can still make plays. Sanders has looked explosive early in the season. The Chiefs will need to stay disciplined and make sure that they don’t find themselves biting on misdirection and play action. If they aren’t disciplined, this will happen to them.
Get pressure on Keenum (Watch)
Obviously a good pass rush is important against any quarterback. However, this offensive line has not been kind to Keenum. After taking a couple of shots, he seems to hurry and force passes. On this play, he feels the pressure from behind and releases the ball too quickly and puts it in a bad spot. If the Raiders were able to do that to him without Khalil Mack, just imagine what a more capable pass rush could do.