Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Complete Week 13 Preview for Denver
The Denver Broncos found a way to bounce back from a loss with a big victory over the Miami Dolphins last week. Now they need to keep that momentum going.
However, a trip to Arrowhead Stadium may make that difficult.
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a horrible loss to the previously winless Oakland Raiders, and they will have had 10 days to soak in that embarrassing defeat. This makes them a dangerous opponent.
The Broncos know that a win in this game would give them a commanding lead in the AFC West, so they will be just as focused. All of that sets the stage for what should be one of the league's better games this season, all in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football.
Kansas City currently holds a 56-53 advantage in the all-time series, but the Broncos have won the last five meetings, including a 24-17 victory in Week 2.
Read on for more on this game, including key matchups to watch and a look at the Broncos' current injury report.
Week 12 Recap
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Despite having to overcome deficits of 14-3, 21-10 and 28-17, the Broncos were able to stage a late rally to overcome a very tough Miami Dolphins team, 39-36.
With Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman both out with injuries, C.J. Anderson has stepped up in a big way. Anderson ran for a career-high 167 yards against Miami, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
It was the power running game and a balanced offensive attack that allowed the Broncos to get one of their biggest victories of the season.
The defense struggled in stopping Miami, allowing Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw three touchdowns, but when they had to make a play, they got one.
In the fourth quarter, Chris Harris tipped a pass and T.J. Ward was able to snag it for the interception. Though the Dolphins scored a late touchdown to get within three points, the Broncos recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.
News and Notes
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Denver Cuts Brandon McManus, Signs Connor Barth
In what should have come as no surprise, the Broncos parted ways with Brandon McManus this week and signed Connor Barth, per NFL.com's Dan Hanzus, their second attempt at replacing Matt Prater.
McManus went just 9-of-13 on field-goal attempts this season and the team's confidence in him seemed to go down with each game. Missing a kick from 33 yards out against Miami was the final straw.
Barth spent the 2008 season in Kansas City before going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons. He has made 84.2 percent of his career field-goal attempts and connected on 19 field goals of over 50 yards.
"Not an easy decision for Denver to go with Connor Barth over Jay Feely, who made 14-of-15 field goals with a long of 60. Both impressed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 25, 2014"
The Broncos also brought in former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, but decided to go with the younger option in Barth.
Danny Trevathan Returns to Practice
It was an encouraging sign to see linebacker Danny Trevathan participate in practice this week, as reported by Andrew Mason of the team's official website.
Trevathan has not played since Week 6 against the New York Jets and will not be able to return to the lineup until Week 15 against the San Diego Chargers after being placed on the recalled injured reserve list.
The Broncos need all the help they can get right now at the linebacker position. Even though they'll have to play two more games without Trevathan, having him for the playoff push will be a big boost.
Broncos Bring Kapri Bibbs Back
Kapri Bibbs was waived last week after the Broncos decided to bring Jeremy Stewart onto the active roster to serve as the No. 3 running back.
Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports that Bibbs had a tryout with the Arizona Cardinals, but they decided to sign the much more experienced Michael Bush instead. That allowed the Broncos the chance to bring Bibbs back:
"After #AZCardinals sign Michael Bush, Kapri Bibbs will sign back with #Broncos practice squad. He is comfortable with the offense
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 25, 2014"
Bibbs will be placed back on the practice squad, but the Broncos could still end up losing him at some point. Besides Arizona, the Buffalo Bills also showed interest in signing him earlier this season.
Injury Report
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| Brandon Marshall | Linebacker | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| David Bruton | Safety | Full Participation in Practice |
| Montee Ball | Running Back | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| Kayvon Webster | Cornerback | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| Ronnie Hillman | Running Back | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| Julius Thomas | Tight End | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| Quanterus Smith | Defensive End | Limited Participation in Practice |
| Aqib Talib | Cornerback | Did Not Participate in Practice |
| Virgil Green | Tight End | Full Participation in Practice |
| Quinton Carter | Safety | Limited Participation in Practice |
All injury statuses courtesy of NFL.com.
The Broncos stayed relatively healthy during the first half of the season, but they have really been stung by the injury bug of late, particularly in the secondary.
However, the biggest concern this week centers around the status of Brandon Marshall. After leaving the game against Miami with a concussion, Marshall will have to pass the league's concussion protocol and be medically cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play.
With Nate Irving and Danny Trevathan already out with injury, the Broncos can't afford to lose Marshall. If he can't go, the team will be down to a starting linebacker corps of Von Miller, Steven Johnson and someone like Lamin Barrow.
If the coaching staff doesn't feel confident in Barrow seeing extended action, then moving safety T.J. Ward down to the linebacker position is a possibility.
But considering they could be thin in the secondary as well, that could be a risky option. Denver is going to need a big play or two from a player they're not used to getting one from in this game.
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X-Factor Players and Key Matchups to Watch
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Louis Vasquez vs. Justin Houston
With all of the shuffling Denver has done along the offensive line this season, Louis Vasquez has ended up at the right tackle position. He'll face a very tough challenge this Sunday night in the form of Justin Houston.
Houston may be the best pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL. His 13 sacks this season are proof of that.
But on top of that, he has played well against the Broncos. In six career games against Denver, Houston has made 38 tackles and come up with 3.5 sacks.
Averaging more than a sack per game this season, Vasquez will need to be ready for Houston's speed rush. C.J. Anderson will also need to chip in and block Houston to keep him from getting to Peyton Manning.
Denver Kick Coverage vs. Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas
Though the Kansas City Chiefs have yet to throw a single touchdown pass to a wide receiver this season, they are as good as any team in the league at manufacturing points.
One of the ways they do that is by starting with great field position. Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas are two very dangerous kickoff return men that can do just that.
Davis and Thomas are averaging 29.0 and 38.6 yards per kickoff return this season, respectively. Davis has also returned a kick for a touchdown in each of the last two seasons.
"Connor Barth will be tested on kickoffs right away. Knile Davis & De'Anthony Thomas have averaged 45.0 yds. per KOR in the last 5 games.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 25, 2014"
Newly-signed kicker Connor Barth will be tasked with pounding kickoffs out of the end zone to limit returns. If he is unable to get it there, Denver needs to be disciplined in their tackling, as both of these guys will bring it deep out of the end zone.
Denver Passing Game vs. Kansas City Secondary
Kansas City will bring the league's No. 1 pass defense into this game, giving up less than 200 yards through the air per contest.
That number will be put to the test against Manning and the league's No. 2 passing offense. That will be even tougher for Kansas City with safety Eric Berry out of the lineup.
That will leave Sean Smith, Jamell Fleming, Ron Parker and Husain Abdullah as the likely starters in the secondary for Kansas City. They will have their hands full trying to defend Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Despite being the best pass defense in the league through 12 weeks, Manning should be able to exploit them Sunday night.
Denver's X-Factor: Tony Carter
Cornerback Tony Carter has been used very sparingly by the Broncos this season, appearing in just four games. But he always seems to come up big when the team needs him most.
With injuries to Aqib Talib and Kayvon Webster, the Broncos would be wise to make Carter active this week. He could be valuable as an extra defensive back as well as on special teams.
The Broncos are going to need someone to step up this week in the wake of the injuries that are hobbling the defense. It might as well be Carter.
Prediction
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This has to be considered the biggest game of the season for both of these teams at this point.
A win for Denver gives them a two-game lead division lead, as well as a season sweep of the Chiefs. But a Kansas City win would tie the division up with only four games to play.
Both teams will be playing with a sense of urgency, knowing a loss would make their road to the Super Bowl very tough.
For Denver, the key will be overcoming their injuries and establishing the same kind of running attack that they did against Miami. If Brandon Marshall misses the game, it will be tough to come up with a win.
For Kansas City, they will have to find a way to slow down Denver's passing attack. If Manning has his way and throws the ball for over 300 yards and three or more touchdowns, like he seems to do most every week, the Chiefs have no chance to win.
But if they can get the Broncos off the field on third down and eat up clock with their own offense, they can shorten the game and take advantage of Denver's depleted defense for points.
Though the Chiefs allowed Oakland to pick up their first win of the season, they have had 10 days to prepare for this game and will be in the comfort of Arrowhead Stadium. With any hopes for their season on the line, they'll find a way to pick up a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Chiefs 26, Broncos 24
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