Five steps for the Broncos to pull off an upset against the Kansas City Chiefs

The Broncos are desperate.

After a 1-4 start to the season, the Denver Broncos are headed to Kansas City for a Thursday night matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas City is a 10.5-point favorite and will be trying to extend its winning streak against the Broncos to 16 games.

Here’s how the Broncos can shock the football world…

Create one-on-ones

Trying to outsmart the Kansas City offense is a bad idea. Patrick Mahomes carves up zone coverage better than any other quarterback in the NFL. Head coach Andy Reid has an answer for any problem.

That’s why the Broncos should keep things simple.

Playing straight-up ball against the Chiefs might be an easy way to be out-talented and defeated, but it’s still the Broncos best bet. Let the cornerbacks line up in man coverage against an underwhelming group of receivers. Maybe Damarri Mathis or Ja’Quan McMillian won’t be able to pull his weight, but both should have even matchups, at least on paper. Travis Kielce should see a heavy dose of Pat Surtain II and Justin Simmons.

Up front, the Broncos should send five rushers at Mahomes. That will create five one-on-one matchups, unless the Chiefs chip or keep an a receiver in to protect. 

This strategy won’t work on every play—Denver will need to play some zone, etc.—but it should be the go-to in key moments, especially on third downs, which the Chiefs convert at the best rate in the league.

Avoid the chess match. Just play straight-up football.

Remember your responsibilities

Almost everything that can go wrong has gone wrong for the Broncos’ defense. And the mistakes have bred more mistakes, leaving the unit spiraling even further from expectations as the season wears on.

It’s time for a reset. The name of the game on Thursday should be “do your job.”

The biggest problem for the Broncos this season has been mental mistakes. Front-seven defenders aren’t controlling the right gap. Players are lining up in the wrong spots. And when one player makes a mistake, another overcompensates and creates a new problem. The trust has disappeared.

The Denver defense need to recommit to each player doing his own job.

Let Justin cook

If the Broncos are going to pull off the miracle, they’re going to need turnovers. Luckily, they have the reigning NFL interception champion.

Justin Simmons returned to the lineup last week and played his best ball of the season.

The Broncos will need Simmons to handle some reps against Travis Kelce, but they should free him up to roam the field as much as possible.

If the Broncos can leave Simmons in the middle of the field to jump routes for most of the game, I like his odds of creating a turnover.

Feed Jaleel

The Broncos have one skill position player dominating their competition: Jaleel McLaughlin.

The Broncos have given their undrafted rookie running back the ball 22 times. He’s provided 160 yards, or 7.3 yards per carry. He hasn’t touched the ball enough to qualify for the official NFL rate stats, but if he did that would be the second-best mark in the league.

It’s time to commit to feeding McLaughlin.

Javonte Williams will return from injury this week and he should get a fair share of the touches. But until McLaughlin slows down, the Broncos should give their hot hand the majority of the opportunities.

Double Chris Jones

The Chiefs have a talented defense. From top to bottom, there aren’t really any holes.

But one man stands out among the Chiefs’ defenders: Chris Jones.

The Broncos’ top priority on every play should be finding Jones and making sure that two offensive linemen are assigned to him. If not, Jones is likely to wreck whatever Sean Payton had planned.

Using extra assets to stop Jones will mean that other rushers have one-on-ones, and George Karlaftis and Mike Danna have had strong starts to the season. But if you’re going to be beaten in the trenches, don’t let Chris Jones be the man who beat you.