Chiefs vs Broncos predictions

[TLO]

I've enjoyed making these for games earlier in the year, so why not make one for the biggest game in recent Chiefs history?

What I hope happens

Charles has a monster game. He finishes the game with 26 rushes for 158 yards and a TD. He also catches 8 passes for 75 yards.

Alex Smith shows he has the ability to be more than just a game manager, throwing for 263 yards and two TDs. More importantly, he has no turnovers on the day.

The Chiefs defense and special teams come up big. Succop hits all 3 of his FG tries, including 2 from 50 plus yards. The Chiefs defense sacks Manning 5 times, causing a fumble on a strip sack by Derrick Johnson. Marcus Cooper returns a Manning INT for a TD.

Chiefs win 37-28

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You clearly haven't seen any of those teams play this season, especially the Colts since they beat the Broncos.

Washington is 3-6. They're awful. I've already explained the San Diego game.

I've watched all of those teams play quite a bit. Especially Denver, San Diego and Indy (I've watched all of Indy's games since Wayne went down). Just because someone watches games and comes away with a different opinion of that game/team than you doesn't mean you're the only one watching them play.

San Diego could very well be fighting for its playoff life at that point in the season. Indy has had one bad game, and I actually agree that team is on the way down, but I need to see a little more before I believe the St. Louis game is more than an aberration. And Washington... yes, up-and-down this season, but that team has a formula that could give the Chiefs some trouble on the road (mobile quarterback who is a threat to run, good running back/running game).

And I didn't say they WOULD lose all of those, just that 2 or 3 from that group wouldn't completely surprise me.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Dinny Blues

Dontari Poe had a good game against Dallas' starting quarterback. Hali sacked Eli twice. I don't know if Denver's OL is ranked very high. I just have a feeling Hali and Poe are going to have big days, and Poe will send Peyton to the bench.

Is Jacksonville's defense any good? Peyton had a tough day against them. He completed three passes to Washington's defense, and doesn't seem to be "risk-adverse." Hali and Poe can make things difficult even if they aren't getting their hands on him. Peyton doesn't seem to play well rattled. I hope at some point his focus on getting the refs lined out causes some problems, as well.

As far as our offense goes, it would be great if this is the coming out party for all the stuff Andy has "kept under wraps", but I think it will be more like our OL finally plays up to the level of 5 Mini-Ditkas, allowing the offense to contribute just enough to help us to go 1-0 this week.

I have no idea what the final score will be. Peyton is kinda like two touchdowns just by showin up. Our D seems to turn likely TDs into field goals and INTs to Pick6s. Our O is not arena type. Succop is money.

Chiefs win 23-17?

(I know, that's why I never make predictions.)

Dinny

Are you referencing something specific regarding the bolded statement?

I think the idea that Reid is holding stuff back at this point is just fan hope/attempt to explain away offensive ineptitude.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yes Dane, because ignorance is the only reason anyone could possibly have a perception that differs from your own.Where did I say that?

Answer me this, Batman: How many NFL games have you watched, from start to finish this season, other than the Chiefs?

A cursory look around the NFL this past Sunday, during the Chiefs Bye, would show terrible outings by many playoff contenders. The Bengals and Ravens were awful, the once great Steelers worse, the Broncos couldn't score in the second half against a lame San Diego team, the 49ers had 91 yards passing, etc. and so on.

Too many people in this forum focus solely on the Chiefs deficiencies yet fail to recognize that 95% of NFL teams have far more issues.

Originally Posted by keg in kc

(Answer: nowhere)Again, where did I say that?

It's implied.

The Broncos of course can continue at this pace but the Chiefs can't.

That's all I keep hearing from the national media and "Chicken Littles" in this forum".

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I don't think they'll need 30 points a game. I do think they'll need an offense that's actually consistently contributing to the team's time of possession, that isn't leaving big plays on the field every week, and isn't trying to cover a wholesale ineffectiveness under the cloak of "winning field position".

Wait: So the Chiefs aren't winning the time of possession battle and their games?

Huh?

Originally Posted by keg in kc

What I'm saying is that the offense, at some point, is going to have to contribute to some of these wins. That doesn't mean scoring thirty points. Although it may occasionally mean scoring 23 or 24 or even 27. Gasp. So many points.

Oh, so the offense isn't contributing or hasn't contributed?

I think we're watching different teams.

While the Chiefs have most certainly left numerous points on the field, they've only needed a defensive score to win a football game just once, in Buffalo.

Originally Posted by keg in kc

If they don't, if things stay as they have been, I think it's pretty likely that they lose some games that you and I both think they should win. Hell, that's without even considering the possibility of the defense having an off week.

I'm sorry, I just don't buy that. Having watched the Colts, Redskins, Raiders and Chargers several times this year, I just don't see how the Chiefs could possibly go 2-5 after the Bye.

That's just unequivocal nonsense.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I've watched all of those teams play quite a bit. Especially Denver, San Diego and Indy (I've watched all of Indy's games since Wayne went down). Just because someone watches games and comes away with a different opinion of that game/team than you doesn't mean you're the only one watching them play.

San Diego could very well be fighting for its playoff life at that point in the season. Indy has had one bad game, and I actually agree that team is on the way down, but I need to see a little more before I believe the St. Louis game is more than an aberration. And Washington... yes, up-and-down this season, but that team has a formula that could give the Chiefs some trouble on the road (mobile quarterback who is a threat to run, good running back/running game).

And I didn't say they WOULD lose all of those, just that 2 or 3 from that group wouldn't completely surprise me.

The Colts had a difficult time with the Texans before Kubiak's collapse. They won because the Texans lost complete and total focus on the game, which is completely understandable given what they just witnessed. The Rams game was just a continuation of the Texans game, albeit without the loss of the opposing team's coach.

The Redskins defense is atrocious. The Chiefs haven't had an issue with mobile QB's this season. Andy Reid is 3-0 against the NFC East and I don't see any rational reason for that not to become 4-0.

We clearly disagree on San Diego. I see a bad team with a QB that seems to shit himself at the most inopportune times. Whisenhunt's play calling has been questionable and I don't believe they have a playoff caliber defense.

[Dinny Bossa Nova]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Are you referencing something specific regarding the bolded statement?

I think the idea that Reid is holding stuff back at this point is just fan hope/attempt to explain away offensive ineptitude.

Hence the quotation marks. It would certainly showcase Andy's sense of humor. But I don't believe any coach with a new team/players/scheme/etc. is even able to "hold back" anything. I believe things can be added as things gel, but that's not the same thing.

I'm really hoping for the Mini-Ditka OL thing, though. Hoping, not calling.

Dinny

[DaneMcCloud]

Furthermore, I can't see San Diego in the playoff hunt come December 29th for many reasons, including their schedule. At 4-5, they'll need at least nine wins (if not ten) to make the playoffs because Denver, KC, NE and Indy are virtual locks, with Cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore and the Jets battling for the final two spots.

So, SD will need at least five out of their last seven wins against @Miami, @KC, Cincy, NY Giants, @Denver, Oakland and KC.

That doesn't leave them much room for error.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The Colts had a difficult time with the Texans before Kubiak's collapse. They won because the Texans lost complete and total focus on the game, which is completely understandable given what they just witnessed. The Rams game was just a continuation of the Texans game, albeit without the loss of the opposing team's coach.

The Redskins defense is atrocious. The Chiefs haven't had an issue with mobile QB's this season. Andy Reid is 3-0 against the NFC East and I don't see any rational reason for that not to become 4-0.

We clearly disagree on San Diego. I see a bad team with a QB that seems to shit himself at the most inopportune times. Whisenhunt's play calling has been questionable and I don't believe they have a playoff caliber defense.

We're not far apart on the Colts moving downhill, actually. I think that team is on the way down this season, but need to see at least one more week's worth of effort before I BELIEVE that.

Regarding Redskins, yes that D is not good. I expect KC's O to put up 17-20 points, based on what we've seen so far from the . But the Redskins DO have some talent offensively and have the game at home. Not predicting a LOSS, just a game that is not a sure WIN.

I look at San Diego and see a team whose D is not great but is capable of holding the Chiefs' anemic offense to 20 points or less. I also see an offense that can move the ball and is good enough to jump out to a lead and force KC to play catchup.

[mr. tegu]

The Chiefs don't have much to lose this weekend but they have a lot to gain. The great thing is that if the Chiefs beat Denver these two games and beat San Diego and Denver loses to NE, then the Chiefs will have won the division on December 1st. That would make any potential losses towards the end much less meaningful.

Obviously that is a lot of speculation but it is not beyond the realm of possiblity, especially if we win this weekend and really knock Manning around leaving him even worse off than he is now.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

We're not far apart on the Colts moving downhill, actually. I think that team is on the way down this season, but need to see at least one more week's worth of effort before I BELIEVE that.

Well you only have to wait about five more hours. I actually think Tennessee wins tonight.

[Tombstone RJ]

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I look at San Diego and see a team whose D is not great but is capable of holding the Chiefs' anemic offense to 20 points or less. I also see an offense that can move the ball and is good enough to jump out to a lead and force KC to play catchup.

The issue I have with the last game of the season is San Diego's will to win.

If they're out of the playoff picture, I think we'll see an anemic Chargers team. If the Chiefs have a first round bye or a WC game schedule at Arrowhead, I think we'll see a virtual preseason performance by the Chiefs. If the Chiefs need a victory to secure home field and the Chargers are out of it, I think we'll see a determined Chiefs team that will overwhelm San Diego.

The bottom line is that I really don't see the Chargers game as being competitive. If the Chiefs need it, they'll win. If they don't, it won't matter if they win or lose.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Well you only have to wait about five more hours. I actually think Tennessee wins tonight.

If Tennessee wins that division, then the Colts will have fallen off the cliff even further than I could have imagined.

Ryan Fitzgerald as a playoff QB?

[gblowfish]

One thing I will bet on. I bet Alex Smith gets hit late, gets hit high, gets hit around knees, on repeated occasions. And if we so much as breathe on the Big Giant Forehead we'll get a roughing penalty. Guarantee it.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The issue I have with the last game of the season is San Diego's will to win.

If they're out of the playoff picture, I think we'll see an anemic Chargers team. If the Chiefs have a first round bye or a WC game schedule at Arrowhead, I think we'll see a virtual preseason performance by the Chiefs. If the Chiefs need a victory to secure home field and the Chargers are out of it, I think we'll see a determined Chiefs team that will overwhelm San Diego.

The bottom line is that I really don't see the Chargers game as being competitive. If the Chiefs need it, they'll win. If they don't, it won't matter if they win or lose.

Depends on how things go. I can see them winning in Miami this week. The Bengals game will be a real swing for them... they have that game at home and Cincinnati sans-Geno Atkins is not as formidable defensively.

They'll beat the Giants in San Diego. They'll beat the Raiders in San Diego. They need 2 more wins before KC comes in for that game to even potentially matter.

Definitely possible it isn't on the table.

The only game left on the Chiefs schedule that I will say flat out is a loss is the one Sunday. The other games I identified after this Sunday are just games that I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose (not saying would, or should, or even likely WILL).

[Prison Bitch]

31-16 evil people.