Mile High Roundtable: Broncos vs. Chiefs | Week 7 | Predictions & Picks
Khalid Alshami (@KhalidHAlshami) 4-2: The Denver Broncos have figured some things out defensively, but their performance in Week 6 came against a very bad offensive and a QB who was benched mid-game and moving forward. The Kansas City Chiefs are bad on defense and just missed out on Jalen Ramsey potentially joining them. Courtland Sutton will have a few big plays on the heels of a huge day from Denver's backfield. Unfortunately, the Broncos offense still struggles to finish and put the game away in the second half and Patrick Mahomes will take advantage of that.
Pick: Chiefs 24, Broncos 19
Josh Carney (@JCarney_Sports) 4-2: There might not be a better time to welcome Mahomes and the Chiefs to the Mile High City than right now. Mahomes and company have had some issues the last two weeks offensively, while the Broncos defense has been playing some terrific football the last two weeks. The pass rush will get to Mahomes this time, and Chris Harris, Jr. will help slow down Tyreek Hill outside. After coming painstakingly close last year, the Broncos get it done at home against the Chiefs on a short week.
Pick: Broncos 20, Chiefs 19
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 2-4: Who would have thought a few weeks ago that this game would have so much riding on it for both teams? The Chiefs have shown their weaknesses over the last few weeks and a gameplan has emerged of how to beat them. The Broncos come in with the strength of their offense fitting well in being able to run the ball. They will definitely lean upon the run game, but to me, this game will come down to Flacco and his ability to complete some big-play opportunities. Flacco also has to be able to play a clean game, as the Chiefs depend on turnovers for the defense to be successful. The Broncos defense takes advantage of a hobbled Mahomes, forcing a couple of big turnovers and the offense does just enough to find victory.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chiefs 24.
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 4-2: If this were a different week, I would have little confidence that the Broncos will beat the Chiefs. However, this week everything seems to be falling in Denver's favor. They are the home team on a short week. The Chiefs, including Pat Mahomes, are really banged up. The Broncos defense seems to be clicking with two strong performances in a row and the Chiefs are reeling with two poor performances. The Chiefs defense resembles Swiss cheese right now, especially against the run. If the Broncos don’t run the ball more than 30 times they will lose the game, so they take the smart route and pound the rock all day. The defense will also come up big in a Broncos victory.
Bold Prediction: The Broncos will rush for close to 200 yards with Royce Freeman leading the way with over 100 yards and two scores.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chiefs 24
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 1-5: Man, does it feel good to get a win in the Roundtable. I'm not picking games to strategically move up the Roundtable board, but rather, just calling them like I see 'em. And I see this game as having a similar type of feel as Broncos-Steelers from Week 12 of last year, when no one gave Denver a chance to win. Like that game, the 2019 Broncos have dug themselves a hole and thus feel freed, like they're playing with house money. Playing loose will allow the Broncos to decompress the high-pressure, dictate from an intensity perspective, and really come out swinging vs. the Chiefs. Vic Fangio's pressure/coverage schemes are finally clicking, even without Bradley Chubb or Bryce Callahan, and that does not portend well for a banged-up Mahomes sans left tackle Eric Fisher. The Broncos will shock the world and beat the Chiefs, handing their division rival their third-straight loss.
Pick: Broncos 23, Chiefs 20
Trevor Judge (@TrevorJudge) 2-4: The Broncos will need to execute a near-perfect game plan Sunday if they want to beat the Chiefs. Coming off two straight wins, this Denver team is playing with a lot of confidence, which will prove to make a big impact in this game. I think the Broncos run the ball heavy against a weak Chiefs defense and produce just enough points to give them a shot. The Chiefs find a way to move the ball but the Broncos recently improved defense keeps their points total low (relatively).
Pick: Broncos 24, Chiefs 20
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 1-5: You want to think the streaking Broncos, winners of two straight, have enough momentum to eek past the high-powered Chiefs. You want to think Fangio's suddenly stifling defense can do just enough to slow the reigning NFL MVP, and that the Joe Flacco-led offense can at least keep pace. You want to think Mahomes' ankle injury and Denver's home-field advantage will lead to an upset. I don't think so. Until and unless Flacco proves capable of hanging with the elite, the Broncos will fall short, spoiling an admirable defensive effort. This matchup will play out similar to the Broncos' near-win over the Chiefs last year — a should-be completion or two from victory. No cigar.
Pick: Chiefs 22, Broncos 16
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 2-4: The Broncos might be riding high on a two-game winning streak, but in come the big, bad Chiefs who has beaten Denver in seven straight games. Despite their perceived juggernaut status, the Chiefs are wounded. With Mahomes playing behind a leaky line and on a short week, this might be as good of a shot as Denver has had in a while. Unfortunately, the Chiefs do seem to have Denver’s number. Going up against the Chargers horrific offensive line and the ineptitude of the Titans won't match how the Chiefs will try to spread out the Broncos back seven with 11 personnel. This will be a true test. It likely comes down to the Broncos offense. Can they control the game, run the ball, and convert third downs? The Broncos will come close, but not close enough.
Pick: Chiefs 24, Broncos 23
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 2-4: The Chiefs have one of the best offenses in the NFL, with one of the worst defenses. Whether you look at total points, expected points per Pro Football Reference, or DVOA per Football Outsiders, it all makes clear that the Chiefs have a great offense and a bad defense. The offense, though, has some question marks, with Mahomes playing through an ankle injury and several O-linemen who are hurt or injured. Denver’s defense has looked better since making some changes and could be poised to exploit some of the issues the Chiefs offense now has. Denver’s offense, however, needs to put together drives. The Titans are a better defensive team than fans think, so it’s part of the reason why the Broncos couldn’t move the football as much. But the Broncos had issues moving the ball against the Chargers, too, who had multiple players out due to injuries, thus you can only blame lack of execution there. Therefore, for the Broncos to have a chance against the Chiefs, they need to move the chains and can’t have multiple three-and-outs. I don’t see the Broncos winning this one but this one will be close enough to make people realize that the Broncos are getting better and that the Chiefs have a number of issues to address if they want to win a Super Bowl.
Bold Prediction: Patrick Mahomes tries to pick on CB Davontae Harris, who makes him pay with an interception.
Pick: Chiefs 21, Broncos 20
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 2-4: With so many advantages, the Broncos should at least put points on the boards against a bad Chiefs defense. They need to play clean and get themselves into the endzone. Coming off back-to-back wins against top-10 defenses, that would make it seem like a walk in the park. However, can they execute? Execution has been a big issue for the Broncos offense. As for the defense, they are taking on a banged-up Chiefs offense and Mahomes is hobbled behind a bad O-line. They will still move the ball and score, it just comes down to whether the Broncos defense can limit them and even get takeaways to give their offense more chances for points. This one will be close and the Broncos manage to do just enough against the bad defense and put the points needed on the board, while the defense holds the Chiefs to under 20 points.
Bold Prediction: A last-minute Kareem Jackson interception seals a Broncos victory.
Pick: Broncos 20, Chiefs 16
Podcast
Don't miss our deep-dive preview of Broncos-Chiefs, courtesy of Nick Kendell and Carl Dumler of the Building The Broncos podcast!
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