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

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's one thing that I keep coming back to.

Denver is the one that NEEDS this game. If they lose, the Chiefs would have to collapse down the stretch which, if they're good enough to beat Denver at Denver, probably isn't going to happen.

The Chiefs have nothing to lose, at all.

This is one area where I agree with Petro: this game could be the one that decides the division. We have them twice, Chargers twice, Redskins, Raiders and Colts. I see a real potential for 3 losses there (splits with Denver and SD, one more loss out of the rest). They have us twice, Patriots, Titans, Chargers, Texans, Raiders. I see a real potential there for two losses (a split with us and the Patriots).

That puts us both at 13-3, and I believe at this point they would own the tie-breaker.

We take Sunday's game and we potentially put ourselves in the drivers seat for home field. Whereas a loss could potentially be the difference between a wild card and a division win. This is one of the biggest games in recent memory.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

So no one should be disappointed if they lose out? Expectations change as the season plays out. While Sunday is hardly a must win, there are things on the line.

Do you honestly think, at this point, that they're going to lose out?

I'm not talking about the rest of the season, I'm talking about Sunday night.

The Chiefs have absolutely nothing to lose.

[Dayze]

I'm so beaten down as a fan, I fully expect for whatever crazy set of circumstances must take place in order for the Chiefs to get ****ed over in the playoff race/hunt.......it will happen.

"...and, for the first time ever - Denver wins the tie-breaker with KC because they scored 1 more point than the Chiefs in their collective matchups. Denver will therefore get homefield advantage"

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

This is one area where I agree with Petro: this game could be the one that decides the division. We have them twice, Chargers twice, Redskins, Raiders and Colts. I see a real potential for 3 losses there (splits with Denver and SD, one more loss out of the rest). They have us twice, Patriots, Titans, Chargers, Texans, Raiders. I see a real potential there for two losses (a split with us and the Patriots).

That puts us both at 13-3, and I believe at this point they would own the tie-breaker.

We take Sunday's game and we potentially put ourselves in the drivers seat for home field. Whereas a loss could potentially be the difference between a wild card and a division win. This is one of the biggest games in recent memory.

This is the game they are suppose to lose. This is the game that nobody thinks they can win. For all intents and purposes, they've already lost it.

If they win, they've all but got the division, barring a complete collapse. If they lose, they've got a fight on their hands.

In the positive sense, this game could make their season. But losing it won't break their season by any stretch.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Do you honestly think, at this point, that they're going to lose out?

I'm not talking about the rest of the season, I'm talking about Sunday night.

The Chiefs have absolutely nothing to lose.

I just can't get behind that. A 9-0 team playing an 8-1 division rival absolutely has something to lose, every time, regardless of what I expected before a game was even played.

[htismaqe]

By the way, if Denver finishes 13-3 and we're the wildcard, that's WHAT WE WANT.

We don't want to be the #1 seed at 13-3, EVER.

[Marcellus]

I expect we lose a pretty close game, the biggest wildcard in my mind is what affect the loss of Fox will be.

Coaching may seem overrated when you have a QB like Manning but I think the Saints proved it has a huge impact on the team if you have say a Jack Del Rio filling in.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Nope, the pressure is all on Denver in this game. Chiefs are not going undefeated, they have to lose at some point and Denver is widely regarded as the best team despite having a loss. If the Chiefs are to lose a game or three one of them is this week.

Exactly this. The one who is losing the race ALWAYS has the most pressure, especially if the current one losing is / was the overwhelming favorite. Fall 2 games back with 6 to go is far more of a pressure situation because you can't control your own destiny. That's Denver's situation. On the other hand, KC can still control it's own destiny win or lose. It's math...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I expect we lose a pretty close game, the biggest wildcard in my mind is what affect the loss of Fox will be.

Coaching may seem overrated when you have a QB like Manning but I think the Saints proved it has a huge impact on the team if you have say a Jack Del Rio filling in.

I know Fox doesn't get much respect around here but the dude coached a mediocre Carolina team to an NFC Championship. He's a FAR better coach than Jack Del Rio.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Do you honestly think, at this point, that they're going to lose out?

I'm not talking about the rest of the season, I'm talking about Sunday night.

The Chiefs have absolutely nothing to lose.

Yep. It's all gravy if they win. Lose and they STILL control their own destiny. Shoot, either way they do. Denver can't say that IF they lose. It's a BIG game no doubt; however, there is without a doubt more riding on it for Denver.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

This is the game they are suppose to lose. This is the game that nobody thinks they can win. For all intents and purposes, they've already lost it.

If they win, they've all but got the division, barring a complete collapse. If they lose, they've got a fight on their hands.

Actually you've just described exactly what they have to lose. Respect. And a 2-game lead going into the final 6 weeks.

If we lose Sunday, we're not in the catbird seat any longer. The division will be Denver's to lose at that point.

I would agree (and have said) that Denver may be more motivated on Sunday. But we have a lot to lose.

[wazu]

My 10 year old son is the only Chiefs fan I've spoken to so far who honestly believes the Chiefs will win. Most people are just saying, "eh, it's possible."

[TEX]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Actually you've just described exactly what they have to lose. Respect. And a 2-game lead going into the final 6 weeks.

If we lose Sunday, we're not in the catbird seat any longer. The division will be Denver's to lose at that point.

I would agree (and have said) that Denver may be more motivated on Sunday. But we have a lot to lose.

Sure we do, but no matter how you slice it, not as much as Denver. Lose and KC still can control its on destiny, no matter how tough of a road it is. Denver can't say that.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by TEX

Sure we do, but no matter how you slice it, not as much as Denver. Lose and KC still can control its on destiny, no matter how tough of a road it is. Denver can't say that.

The statement I disagree with was not that Denver potentially has more to lose, it was that Kansas City has nothing to lose. We have a very small margin for error right now, and it's gone with a Chiefs loss.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Actually you've just described exactly what they have to lose. Respect. And a 2-game lead going into the final 6 weeks.

If we lose Sunday, we're not in the catbird seat any longer. The division will be Denver's to lose at that point.

I would agree (and have said) that Denver may be more motivated on Sunday. But we have a lot to lose.

It's really hard for me to get into the "respect" angle. Even if they win, a certain portion of the national media is going to find another reason to call them a fluke. I simply don't care about respect.

Win or lose, we can still control our own path to the playoffs.

If Denver loses, they lose all control. They have far more to lose.