ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs AFC West Week 15 Predictions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun (Post 14651595)

Mahomes is going to struggle, because Denver applies a ton of pressure, and they cover pretty well. That's the equation to slowing down Mahomes this year.

The Chiefs D will have a bigger challenge than you assume. Drew Lock is not the key reason Drew Lock is looking good, Phillip Lindsay is. Lindsay is a hell of a runner, maybe a Top 3 RB in the league right now, and he's tough to stop. If he's going, then Lock can capitalize.

So our focus needs to be on clamping down Lindsay -- a tall order, but one we are capable of doing. So long as we can do that we can neuter Lock, but again, that's a tall order.

So ultimately I'd pick the Chiefs to win, but I think it's going to be a slugfest and I do think the Donks will trot out a couple trick plays because this is their Super Bowl.

Chiefs 23
Broncos 20

There's absolutely no doubt that Lindsay and Freeman are key to what has been happening and if they are going to do anything positive on Sunday, they need 120+ yards and a consistent threat in the ground game. Basic football and it opens up what they can do with Lock - he's not a statue like Flacco.

Additionally, Fant and Beck have to be a focus early - it opens things up and gives Lock breathing room and a better chance to execute.

They can't rely on Lock to deliver a win on his own... not in game 3 on the road @ Arrowhead.

Denver was up 14 on MIN several weeks ago and fell flat late - lost the momentum they were getting from the ground game and the defense buckled late. Rushed 33 times for 124 yards and controlled the clock.

@ BUF - they were a miserable failure

LAC - they got up early and played it safe, barely held on. Ground game did little.

@ HOU - they got up early and the defense was on fire, the passing game was hot. The ground game was average.

So, in 3 of the last 4 - ton of inconsistencies. But, contrary to early in the season, they were up big in 3 of the 4 games and held on to win.

Denver needs 35 carries and they need 120+ yards on the ground. In 3 of the last 5 games, Fant has been a solid presence and that has to repeat. Sutton will have a tough time most likely, unless they find a way for Patrick, Fant, Heuerman and Hamilton to get a few more targets.

I think they have a lot of positives going forward, but for this game - if the ground attack isn't happening, they're going to fail miserably.

Your predicition is in line with mine.