Chiefs vs. Broncos: Breaking Down Denver's Game Plan
The Denver Broncos opened the 2014 season with a win. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-24, holding off the Colts as they made a fourth-quarter comeback.
This week, the Broncos play the division rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are coming off a somewhat shocking loss at home to the Tennessee Titans.
The Chiefs made the playoffs last year after starting the season 9-0. However, since that hot start, they’ve gone 2-7 in the last nine games (including playoffs). They would love nothing more than to beat the Broncos and even their records two weeks into the new season.
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Broncos head coach John Fox talked about the team’s first game against a division opponent.
“I think whenever you play division games, records go out the window. Obviously it’s so early in the year right now, records don’t mean that much. But we’re anticipating a very good, well-coached opponent to come into our stadium.”
Let’s take a look at how the Denver Broncos will attack the Kansas City Chiefs on both sides of the ball.
When the Broncos Run the Ball
Montee Ball had 23 carries in Week 1 against the Colts. He averaged only 2.9 yards per carry, and he’s looking to do better this week.
The Chiefs run defense ranked 22nd in the NFL last year, allowing an average of 120.2 rushing yards per game. It did not give up much in the red zone last year, surrendering only nine rushing touchdowns in 16 games.
The run defense had a tough time against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. It was gashed 38 times for 162 yards by Shonn Greene and his backfield mates with the Titans.
Ball knows that he needs to focus on improving from last week, and he can do that by focusing on bad plays to make them better.
“You have to focus on the plays that didn’t go so well. We’re going to carry the good plays to the next game. But from an individual standpoint, you want to focus on the bad plays where if you made a mistake, you can correct it and become better for the next team. For me, there are some holes out there that I missed.” Ball concluded, “I’m looking forward to correcting them and getting better.”
On Thursday, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase spoke frankly about Ball’s performance in Week 1. “I think he’s being a little hard on himself. He did a good job. The holes that were there, he did a pretty good job on hitting them.”
Gase also wanted improvement from the running game in certain areas. “First down we need to get better, we’re about 33 percent as far as being efficient there. We need to be better in that area, and we will be able to help him out, this running game we’re developing. We’re kind of using some personnel groupings that we hadn’t used in the past, so we’re still trying to figure out what’s good and what’s not and how far we can take it.”
In the play below we see the Broncos trying to stretch the Colts defense to open up rushing lanes for Ball.
As Ball gets the handoff from Manning, you can see that he has a couple of different holes to run through. The Colts defense has moved laterally, and the play goes for a respectable four yards.
Expect to see a lot of lateral movement from the Broncos offensive line as they play the Chiefs' banged-up defense in Week 2.
When the Broncos Pass the Ball
Peyton Manning got off to a hot start against the Colts in Week 1. His three touchdown passes (all to tight end Julius Thomas) and 269 yards kept the defense on its heels.
What else kept the Colts defense honest was the newest wrinkle in the Broncos offense—going deep to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. He was targeted nine times and caught six passes for 77 yards in Week 1.
In the play below, you will see how running the ball effectively with a stretch play can open up play-action passing for the Broncos. On the right side of the formation, you will see two defenders the Broncos are trying to dupe in order to open up a deep target for Sanders.
Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history when running a play fake. This fake handoff gets the defense flowing to its left, and those two defenders are stuck in their tracks looking at C.J. Anderson.
Here you see Manning as he releases the ball. Sanders has beat the coverage, and the safety was held in place by the play fake. He has no chance of making a play. Manning releases the ball around midfield, and he accurately throws it to a spot 40 yards away.
This picture shows Sanders diving for the ball. Had he timed his closing burst a bit better, Sanders could have walked this into the end zone.
The Chiefs pass defense ranked 25th in the NFL last year, averaging 248 net yards allowed per game with 25 passing touchdowns allowed in 2013.
In Week 1, Jake Locker mostly had his way with the Chiefs defense. He finished the game with 243 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
If Locker had that kind of success, you know Manning could best those numbers. That’s if the team doesn’t build an early lead, then take the air out of the ball with the ground game. The Broncos were up 24-7 at halftime against the Colts last week, but in the second half their offense was not as effective.
Gase assured the media that this offense will try to score as many points as possible. “So some things didn’t go our way in that second half [against the Colts], but in no means will we ever pull off the gas. We’re going to try to score as many points until the clock is at zero.”
When the Chiefs Run the Ball
Jamaal Charles is one of the most dangerous running backs in the game today. For some unknown reason, Charles only received 11 touches in the season-opening loss against the Titans.
This oversight should be remedied this week against the Broncos.
Denver's rush defense ranked seventh in the NFL last year, averaging 101.6 rushing yards allowed per game. Those numbers are somewhat skewed by the fact that Denver’s offense builds a big lead early, and opponents are forced to abandon the ground game in order to keep up with the Broncos.
In the play below, we see the Chiefs lined up in the shotgun. Charles moved from one side of Smith to the other right before the ball was snapped. The play is designed to go to the defensive right, and Charles should be able to spring free.
As Charles gets the handoff, there is a hole where it was supposed to be. What causes this run to go for minimal gain is the missed block by veteran tight end Anthony Fasano. He’ll have to do a better job than that if the Chiefs want to be more effective on the ground against the Broncos.
On Thursday, Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio revealed what he felt Charles’ role will be this week after the All-Pro back only received 11 touches in Week 1. “We anticipate seeing plenty of him this week, and obviously we think he’s a really, really fine football player so we’re getting prepared accordingly.”
When the Chiefs Pass the Ball
Alex Smith had a forgettable Week 1 performance against the Titans. Top receiver Dwayne Bowe missed the contest due to a one-game suspension, and Smith struggled early and often.
He finished the day with only 202 yards passing, one touchdown and three interceptions while also getting sacked four times.
Denver was ranked 27th in passing defense in the NFL last season, averaging 254 net passing yards allowed per game, with 29 passing scores surrendered over 16 games. The Broncos generated 17 interceptions and 41 sacks last year, tied for 12th and 13th in the league, respectively.
In order to slow down the Broncos pass-rushers, the Chiefs offense will use screen passes and draw plays.
In the play below, you can see Smith get the ball almost immediately to Charles after the ball is snapped. There is no deception used here, Charles is essentially running a speed screen and the pass almost comes in exactly laterally to Smith.
On Thursday, Del Rio talked about the difficulty of defending the Chiefs quarterback.
“First of all, he can get streaky hot. He’s played well against us last couple of times out. He’s got good feet. He’s athletic and can extend the downs so, look, this is a talented group coming in. [WR] Dwayne Bowe is back.” Del Rio said.
“We know Charles and they’ve got some weapons, some tight ends that can play so we’re not sleeping on this offense, we know it’s a good group. We’re getting ourselves ready to play the game, it’s a divisional game that we must have here at home.” Del Rio emphasized, “We’re getting ready to play our best.”
Summary
The Broncos have to be careful not to overlook the Chiefs this week. Kansas City does not match up well against the Broncos on either side of the ball. However, a division opponent like the Chiefs—no matter the venue—is always a tough draw.
Manning knows that a win on Sunday is going to be more difficult than some are anticipating.
“I think our division is the toughest division in football. I thought it was last year as well. Four excellent football teams. The Chiefs are a playoff team coming back. Just like last year, you throw out what happened last week; you throw it out the window. It’s a division game, two teams very familiar with each other, well-coached, talented football teams.” Manning concluded, “It’s a physical football game, and that’s how we have to play Sunday because we know that’s how they’re going to play.”
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.
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