The Kansas City Chiefs look to extend their perfect season in Week 10 as they host the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. With an 8-0 record, the Kansas City Chiefs are not only undefeated but riding a 14-game win streak dating back to last season. Kansas City will be playing in its third divisional game of the season and look to secure its 15th straight victory in a series they’ve largely dominated over the past decade.
The Denver Broncos, sitting at 5-4, arrive after a tough 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. That defeat underlines some of Denver’s struggles, who haven’t made a playoff appearance since their Super Bowl-winning 2015 season. The game is set for kickoff at 1 p.m. EDT and will be live on CBS. A victory for the Kansas City Chiefs would not only preserve their undefeated status but further their lead in the AFC West and overall AFC standings. A win for Denver would put them firmly back on track for making one of the few AFC wildcard spots that will be in play as the season progresses.
Game/Team Matchup Info
The Kansas City Chiefs enter this contest as the NFL’s last remaining undefeated and have a potent combination of offensive and defensive strength. Kansas City’s offense is averaging 25.4 points per game, ranking them 10th in scoring across the league. Their defense, however, has been the anchor of their success this season, holding opponents to just 18.4 points per game, the fourth-lowest in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Denver’s defense has shown solid form, allowing 17.9 points per game—third-best in the league. Yet, the Broncos’ offense has struggled to find consistency, ranking 23rd in scoring at 20.3 points per game. Denver’s 308.6 yards per game place them in the bottom third for total offensive yardage, contrasting sharply with Kansas City’s 352.5 yards per game.
According to ESPN, the over/under for the game stands at 41.5 points. Kansas City also currently sits as a 9-point favorite. For Denver to have any chance of pulling off the upset this weekend, their defense will have to be in top form. The Broncos are coming off their worst loss of the season in Week 9 and now facing off against not only a divisional rival but also the two-time defending championships. This should be more than enough motivation for the players on that side of the ball to be at their best and keep this game within reach throughout the contest.
Kansas City Chiefs Offense Continues To Evolve
Patrick Mahomes is fresh off a season-best performance, completing 34 of 44 passes for three touchdowns with no interceptions. Mahomes, who holds a 12-1 record against the Broncos, has thrown 19 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in those matchups. His connection with new Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins has added another layer to Kansas City’s offense, which is something they have never had in the Mahomes and Andy Reid era.
Hopkins has quickly become one of Mahomes’ favorite options, notching two touchdowns in his first two games with Kansas City. This already puts him with the second-highest touchdown total on the team. His ability to make contested catches, win one-on-one battles in tight coverage, and go up high-point passes is an asset Mahomes has never had in his career. As this chemistry continues to build, Sunday’s game against Denver provides another opportunity for Mahomes and Hopkins to further develop their rapport.
On the ground, Kareem Hunt will be Kansas City’s top option as he looks to maintain his momentum after recording a season-high 106 rushing yards last week. Denver’s defense, known for limiting yards, poses a challenge for the Chiefs’ rushing attack, given Hunt’s physical running style and experience on the field. It will be the difference in moving the chains and wearing down the Broncos’ defensive line, which will only open up more avenues for other players on the offense to get going.
Broncos Defensive Strategy
Denver’s defense has been their strongest unit this season, ranking sixth in total defense and third in scoring. Led by star Cornerback Pat Surtain II, the Broncos’ secondary has shut down some of the league’s top receivers. Surtain, who leads the defense with three interceptions and their only defensive touchdown, will likely match up with Hopkins, aiming to contain Kansas City’s newest weapon.
Additionally, Linebacker Brandon Jones leads the team with 65 tackles, proving vital in run-stopping situations and short-yardage plays, and will once again look to neutralize the Kansas City Chiefs rushing attack. Then there’s Defensive End Jonathon Cooper who is the most reliable pass rusher Denver has, with his team-high 5.5 sacks this season.
This defense is led by Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, who is well-versed in facing the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite not having the level of success he would want, he has still made every outing against the Kansas City Chiefs as challenging as any other team they face year in and out. Denver’s recent outing against Baltimore revealed some vulnerabilities, especially in coverage breakdowns. Joseph and the rest of his coaching staff will be looking to limit any of those errors heading into this week’s matchup as he now goes up against the defending champions.
Players To Watch For the Kansas City Chiefs
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chief to watch out for in this game will be Wide Receiver rookie Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy. With Hopkins likely going to have Surtain following him the whole game, Worthy will have more chances for big-play opportunities. Especially because it has been apparent in recent weeks that Mahomes and Reid have been working on getting him the ball as much as possible. Worthy currently leads the Kansas City Chiefs receivers with touchdowns (three) and given his game-shattering speed this game presents as the perfect time to take full advantage of his talents.
Defensively, the player to watch for the Kansas City Chiefs will be Nick Bolton who remains at the center of Kansas City’s defense. Bolton leads the team in tackles (56) and tackles for loss (7) on the year. Bolton is also coming off a lackluster performance and has the chance the bounce back in a big way this Sunday. His role this weekend will primarily be on limiting Denver’s run game and keeping rookie quarterback Bo Nix from making plays on the ground.
Players to Watch for the Denver Broncos
For Denver, its offensive player to watch will be Bo Nix who has had an up-and-down season through nine weeks. Nix currently has eight touchdowns and six interceptions, while completing 62.6% of his passes. He is also the Broncos’ second-leading rusher with 295 yards and four touchdowns. Despite only being a rookie, Nix has already figured out how to effectively utilize his dual-threat capability and set his offense up in favorable positions. In this game in particular his mobility will be an X-factor, especially if he can get around the Kansas City Chiefs defensive front and create on the run.
Then on the defensive side of the ball, the player to watch will be Surtain II who will likely have the responsibility of slowing down Hopkins. Whenever Surtain has gone up against Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs he has given them trouble whether that has been picking off Mahomes or simply blanketing one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ top receiving threats. It is never an easy day at the office when Surtain is on the field, and he now has the opportunity to help his team bounce back from a rough loss last week and hand his divisional rival their first loss this season.
Final Thoughts
The Kanas City Chiefs this season have remained as disciplined as ever, sticking with a balanced attack that does just enough in all three phases to allow them to go 1-0 each week. Mahomes’ chemistry with Hopkins has also added a new dimension to Kansas City’s passing game, plus with Hunt’s contributions in the ground game. Providing their offense with not only versatility but also relief especially late in games. Defensively, Kansas City’s front seven has been dominant all season and will look to continue this trend as they aim to contain Nix and limit Denver’s run game, a matchup that favors the Kansas City Chiefs on paper.
For the Broncos, Sunday’s game is a chance to rebound from a disheartening loss in Baltimore last weekend. Denver’s defense must return to form if they hope to pull off the upset, and their offense will need to play mistake-free football. As the Kansas City Chiefs eye a 15th straight win, Denver will look to play spoiler in hopes of gaining ground in the AFC playoff race. Both teams have much at stake, making this a matchup that could be closer than many expect.
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