The Denver Broncos are set to square off against the AFC West division rival Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football.
To preview the game, Mile High Sports writers Zach Seagers and Aniello Piro go head to head, debating who will win come Thursday night.
Zach Segars:
The Broncos will beat the Chiefs on Thursday night for three key reasons.
Aniello Piro:
Taking down the Chiefs will be no easy task for the Denver Broncos. In fact, a victory versus the Kansas City would be a signature moment in what has otherwise been a down season for Denver’s favorite sports team.
That said, the Broncos enter this contest red hot, having won their last two games; however, in reverse fortune, Kansas City will travel to the Mile High City on a two-game losing streak.
After dropping back-to-back home games to the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, Kansas City will look to a bounce back versus the Broncos. The Chiefs’ two losses came to teams that have a chance to reach the AFC Championship this season.
Following two hard-fought games, Kansas City will face Denver, a team that is still looking to form its identity this season. While the Broncos are no pushover, the Chiefs are far and away a more talented team.
While Denver’s defense is solid, their offense is suspect, and they have yet to demonstrate an ability to run up the scoreboard like Kansas City can and will do on Thursday night.
The Broncos are averaging just 17.7 points per game this season, the 7th-lowest mark in the league. Even though the Chiefs have struggled on defense this season, Denver has not shown an ability to march down the field and score consistently.
Despite having a strong defense, the task of stopping Patrick Mahomes and company is daunting. Considering the Chiefs have lost two consecutive games, there is an expectation the team will be playing with an extra edge come Thursday.
Additionally, Mahomes, the 2018 league MVP, torched the Broncos last season, throwing for 607 yards, five touchdowns and rating of 104.8.
There is a lot more on the line for the Chiefs as opposed to the Broncos. Considering the Chiefs have legitimate championship aspirations; they will recognize the importance of the game and take care of the Broncos.
While the Broncos have the talent to hang with Kansas City, Mahomes will prove to be too much for Dever’s defense to handle. Until Joe Flacco can prove the Broncos can score at least 21 points a game, it’s hard to envision the Broncos defeating any team in a shootout. Chiefs win 30-17.