Broncos vs. Chiefs: Breaking Down Denver's Game Plan

The Denver Broncos are working hard this holiday week to build the best game plan to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13.

A large part of their game plan may include a power-running game featuring C.J. Anderson. In last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, Anderson rushed for a career-high (and season-high for the team) 167 yards. The Chiefs have been vulnerable to the run, and they allow the most yards per carry (4.96) of any team in the NFL.

The game plan always includes plenty of the passing attack with Peyton Manning at the helm. Demaryius Thomas failed to go over 100 yards receiving in Week 13, snapping his seven-game streak of 100-yard games one short of the NFL record.

Emmanuel Sanders is having a career year with the Broncos, and he had his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season against Miami after having zero such games during his four years with the Steelers.

The Broncos defense will have their hands full when defending Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles this week. Charles has the second-most rushing touchdowns in the league this year (eight), and he ranks ninth in rushing yards (772) so far in 2014.

Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall knows shutting down Charles is the top priority for the defense.

“[It’s] a big challenge. I feel like as a linebacker corps, we’ve just got to pick it up. We’ve got to step our game up a little bit. Just understanding what our coaches are asking us to do, understanding what our teammates are asking us to do, and be the gel of the whole defense.”

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

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

The Broncos have a diamond in the rough in running back C.J. Anderson. He’s only started two games this year, but he looks like the best and most consistent running back the Broncos have on the roster. Over the last three weeks, on a total of 49 carries, Anderson’s rushing yardage ranks among the best in the NFL.

"

Over last 3 weeks, #Broncos CJ Anderson is 4th in #NFL with 286 rushing yds, Jamaal Charles (337), Marshawn Lynch (303), Jeremy Hill (294)

— Cecil Lammey (@cecillammey) November 24, 2014"

Anderson has the power to run over defenders and pick up yards after contact, but he also has the burst to get to the second level quicker than some expect. He uses this blend of size, patience and burst to maximize the yardage on most every carry.

We’ve also seen Anderson make fantastic plays as a receiver out of the backfield for the Broncos. This all-purpose skill set keeps him on the field often—no matter how the game script unfolds.

Anderson also has a nose for moving the sticks.

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over last 3 weeks, #Broncos CJ Anderson leads the #NFL with 24 first downs, has a 1st down percentage of 36.9

— Cecil Lammey (@cecillammey) November 24, 2014"

Fox believes that offensive balance is the key when looking at how the Chiefs match up to what Denver does.

“I look at all the film so I don’t see a lot of weaknesses, but I think a week ago it was something we emphasized—that’s to have more balance, not to stop throwing the ball or be less aggressive, as some people might put it. It’ll be the same thing this week.” Fox continued, “All of these [games] are different personalities, different matchups and they’ve got a really formidable defense really on all three levels.”

Anderson’s standout performances over the last three weeks have impressed his quarterback. Peyton Manning was complimentary of Anderson when asked about the second-year runner after practice on Wednesday.

“C.J. is taking advantage of his opportunity. I think his knowledge of the offense has a lot to do with how fast he’s able to play. When I say fast, he’s not thinking a lot back there. He knows the protections, and he knows the pass patterns.

"He feels good about the run plays and the cuts on where to go. When you’re thinking a lot back there and not exactly sure what to do, you just don’t play as fast. I’ve learned that to be true.”

Manning continued, “That is a real credit to him for being a real student of the game in his short time here so when given the opportunity we’re calling all the same plays, if not more with him in there, and it’s allowed him to run the ball well and catch the ball well and really make some plays and really make a lot of guys miss.”

Behind Anderson we’ll see Juwan Thompson chip in as the primary backup. Like Anderson, Thompson is a power back who can run over defenders with ease.

The Chiefs' rush defense is one of the weakest units in the NFL. It allows an average of 129.4 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks 26th in 2014. The Chiefs hadn’t allowed a rushing touchdown at all last year until the game against the Raiders last week. Oakland was able to run roughshod over the Chiefs, racking up 179 rushing yards on 30 carries.

Anderson is coming into this game on a hot streak, and the Chiefs will struggle to stop him.

When the Broncos Pass the Ball

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

With help from a power-rushing attack, Manning could have a big day against the Chiefs defense. The Kansas City defense has already lost key defenders such as linebacker Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito for the season, but earlier this week it received devastating news about another key player.

It was reported by Adam Teicher, from ESPN.com, that Chiefs safety Eric Berry would be placed on the NFI list due to a lump in his chest that was diagnosed as lymphoma.

Manning passed on some positive thoughts for Berry from Dove Valley on Wednesday.

“I know Eric from his days at Tennessee. I always go back there and work out—and of course playing against him through my career. So I’m thinking about him. I reached out to him and told him he’s in a lot of people’s prayers and thoughts.

"He’s a tough fighter and I know he has a tough fight ahead of him. We’re certainly thinking about him, players that know him, the Tennessee family, the NFL family.” Manning emphasized, “He’s a special player and a really good guy as well.”

The offensive line has been under fire lately after their poor play against the St. Louis Rams in Week 11. The unit came out against the Dolphins last week and had a dominant performance. Protecting Manning will be important for Denver on Sunday night as the Broncos face a team that ranks fourth in the league with 31 sacks in 2014.

Manning appreciates the mentality of the guys up front.

“We’re talking about just trying to stay even-keeled all season, not getting too high, not getting too low. I think those guys were focused last week on playing well, and they are focused this week on playing well.” Manning concluded, “They are playing against some really good players, but we’re counting on them stepping up and doing their jobs, and all the rest of us have to do our jobs as well.”

Demaryius Thomas leads the NFL with 1,192 receiving yards so far in 2014. His 527 yards after the catch rank third-highest in the NFL behind Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (590) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (534).

Thomas is a weapon the Broncos can target on deep passes because of his speed and ball-tracking ability. He can also be used on shorter routes because of his strength and obvious run-after-the-catch ability.

Emmanuel Sanders was courted by the Chiefs in free agency. He chose a much better opportunity by selecting the Broncos instead. There’s a reason why Sanders called Denver “wide receiver heaven” at his first press conference in Denver.

Sanders has the first 1,000-yard season of his career already (1,079), surpassing his previous career high of 790 yards from 2013. He came into this season with 11 career touchdown catches, and Sanders has almost matched that total with seven so far in 2014. His speed and ability to stretch the field will come in handy against the Chiefs.

Wes Welker did score a touchdown last week for the Broncos, but his role is not what it was in 2013. Rookie wide receiver Cody Latimer was active against the Dolphins, but he’s yet to get more involved in the offense.

Tight end Julius Thomas missed the game against the Dolphins with an ankle injury. He’s a talented player, but during his four-year career, Thomas has never played a full season. Thomas was limited in practice on Wednesday, and at this point he remains questionable for the game against the Chiefs in Week 13.

The Chiefs' pass defense ranks first in the NFL with an average of 198.9 passing yards allowed per game. The Broncos are certainly helped out by their pass rush, but Manning has only been sacked 12 times in 2014—the best mark in the NFL.

Kansas City has allowed 17 passing touchdowns this year, and it has only been able to pick off four passes in 2014. That mark ranks next-to-last in the NFL.

The Chiefs are so weak against the run, the Broncos should come out and pound them between the tackles. When/if the Chiefs try to adjust, then Manning will make them pay through the air.

When the Chiefs Run the Ball

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The Chiefs offense features one of the best running backs in the game today. Veteran Jamaal Charles has been playing at a high level for years, and this season is no different. Charles has had a few big games against the Broncos during his seven-year pro career.

Year	Rush	Yards	TDs	Rec	Yds	TDs
2009	25	259	2	1	3	0
2010	21	116	0	2	20	0
2012	23	107	0	0	0	0
2013	19	93	1	2	27	0

His speed and agility make it difficult for tacklers to get a bead on him in the open field. The Broncos must play with proper discipline when facing an explosive talent like Charles. If one defender gets out of place, he has the speed to take it to the house from anywhere on the field.

If the Broncos bottle up Charles as a runner, he can still abuse them as a receiver out of the backfield. The Chiefs will try to slow down the Broncos' pass rush with draw plays and screen passes. There’s a large portion of their game plan dedicated to Charles on Sunday.

Behind Charles is second-year running back Knile Davis. He’s not as fast as Charles (few are), but Davis runs with more power between the tackles. Using Charles and Davis gives the Chiefs a fantastic one-two punch to soften up opponents.

Broncos cornerback Chris Harris knows that both backs can present problems for the defense.

“Davis is a beast. He ran the ball well versus us the first game. Charles, we all know what he can do in space. Those two are the keys. They want to control the game on the ground and try to keep our offense off the field, and that’s what they’re going to try to do.” Harris concluded, “We have to be great on first and second down, stop the run and force [QB] Alex Smith to beat us in the air.”

When these two teams faced each other earlier in the year, Charles missed most of the Week 2 matchup due to an ankle injury that bounced him from the game after only three touches.

Denver’s run defense has been a bit weaker over the last two weeks than their season average indicates. For the season, Denver’s rush defense ranks second-best in the league, as it allows an average of 75.5 yards rushing per game.

However, over the last two weeks the Broncos have allowed 97 rushing yards to the Dolphins and 131 rushing yards to the Rams.

When the Chiefs Pass the Ball

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

Alex Smith is a game-managing quarterback. The team doesn’t air it out often, instead relying on their ground game to lead the way offensively.

There’s a reason why the Chiefs choose to move the ball that way—they don’t have a quality group of wide receivers.

Dwayne Bowe is their best receiver, and he’s average at best. He’s a big target who can play with a physicality that is welcome in the red zone. However, the Chiefs have yet to throw a touchdown pass to a receiver in 2014.

The receivers behind Bowe include guys such as Jason Avant, Donnie Avery, Albert Wilson and Frankie Hammond. No one in that group is a standout player, and there is very little potential for this group to do much against the Broncos secondary.

The Chiefs do have an exciting young tight end in second-year player Travis Kelce. His skill set is similar to that of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Kelce isn’t used as much in the passing game as he could be, and there’s not many indications that will change this week. We see the Chiefs use a bit of a tight-end-by-committee with Kelce and veteran Anthony Fasano.

The Chiefs have allowed Smith to be sacked 27 times this year. That ranks 27th-worst in the league so far. Facing a Broncos' pass rush that has 28 sacks in 2014 (ninth-best), the Chiefs' offensive line will have its hands full.

The Broncos' pass defense is in the middle of the pack in terms of passing yards allowed per game. Opponents on average put up 240.5 yards passing against Denver. It’s a remarkable stat given the fact that Denver sees more dropbacks (69.8 percent) than any other team in the league (NFL average of dropbacks is 61.0 percent of snaps).

It could be a long day for the Chiefs' passing game.

Summary 

Denver was able to get back on the winning track last week. With the Chiefs losing to the Raiders in Week 12, it has given the Broncos a bit of a cushion in the race for the AFC West title.

Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton knows how important this divisional matchup is.

“Right now we’re just taking it a game at a time. We’re not watching the standings; we’re not watching our [division] opponents. We’re just focusing on the team that we’re playing that week.”

Knighton also commented on the team’s struggles on the road.

“We wanted to come out and start fast on the road, something that we haven’t done all year. I think that’s part of the reason why we’re taking it one week at a time and not seeing the big picture, especially going into a hostile environment like this, a team who played on Thursday night and has extra time to prepare and rest, and coming off a disappointing loss.”

Knighton concluded, “We’ll have our hands fullm but ultimately it’s about what we do.”

The Broncos need to get the win this week on the road to keep their hot streak going. While some teams have peaked too soon this season, the Broncos could be starting to peak at just the right time. With a month left in the regular season, the Broncos could be building the proper momentum they need for a playoff run that takes them back to the Super Bowl in 2014.

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.