Broncos at Chiefs: 5 Depressing Bold Predictions

It's a short week against the most formidable opponent the 1-4 Denver Broncos have faced up to this point of the season. The 4-1 Kansas City Chiefs have a great offense that can overcome the mistakes they make, and their defense is one of the better defensive in the NFL.

Denver has to overcome it all while traveling on a short week. The odds are stacked against the Broncos.

There's a chance the Broncos can shock the world, but all of the issues this team has displayed thus far would have to miraculously disappear at Arrowhead, which is doubtful. With all of Denver's problems, the possibility of the team figuring it all out in a short week, with one day of practice...

Well, the unlikelihood of it is reflected in my bold predictions for Week 6, and Broncos fans might find them a bit depressing. With that said, let's dive in.

Wilson Has 12-Plus WR Targets at Half

This is somewhat of a tongue-in-cheek prediction. However, the Broncos ended Week 6's loss to the New York Jets with only 12 targets to wide receivers. After the game, the guy who controls those decisions, Russell Wilson, talked about trying to get the receivers more involved.

Against the Chiefs, Wilson indeed does his best to figure it out early and often, leading to more than 12 wide receiver targets in the first half. With how quickly the Chiefs offense can score, especially with how bad the Broncos' defense is, Wilson absolutely needs to get the receivers going.

It will create a long day for the Broncos offense if he doesn't pull it off.

McLaughlin Rushes for 100-Plus Yards

While many think the Broncos can't run the ball, that's far from the truth. They can, but they go away from it. It was pointed out to Sean Payton, and he resolved to be less "impatient" and to stick with the run game more consistently throughout the game.

The Broncos rank fourth in the NFL in rush yards per attempt, but they're 29th in attempts per game and 27th in the percentage of plays on offense that have been runs. The Broncos go away from it, even when they have the lead, as they have in each of their three home losses.

Jaleel McLaughlin getting more than 100 rushing yards is actually a very bold prediction. And there are a few reasons why, beyond Payton's issues sticking with the run. The Chiefs' ability to score quickly is another.

The Chiefs defense has faced the sixth-fewest rush attempts per game and ranks 11th against the run. However, Kansas City ranks 23rd in rush yards allowed per attempt (4.3 avg). Teams have been able to run the ball against the Chiefs, but they feel pressured to go away with it to keep up with Patrick Mahomes.

The Broncos have to stay committed to the run, but they must walk that line between sticking with it too long and abandoning it too early. McLaughlin is an explosive running back, but he'll have a few runs that go nowhere.

Payton still has to give McLaughlin the ball because his explosive ability can help the Broncos stay in the game. McLaughlin is on the verge of breaking a long touchdown run.

As a bonus to McLaughlin eclipsing 100 rushing yards is a 40-plus-yard touchdown run.

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Broncos Go Sackless, Jones Picks up 3 of 6 Chiefs Sacks

Chris Jones is a dominant force, and the Broncos' interior offensive line has been playing poorly. He's the biggest threat to the Broncos offense, and you can read more about it here.

Against the Broncos, Jones takes advantage of the favorable matchup and picks up three sacks, leading the Chiefs to a six-sack night. George Karlaftis adds two sacks, and either Willie Gay or Leo Chanal adds another as a blitzer.

As for the Broncos picking up sacks, Nik Bonitto has come along the last two weeks, but the Chiefs do a good job of protecting Mahomes. Kansas City's offensive line has allowed only two sacks, and Mahomes has only been sacked four times this season, meaning the other two sacks were someone else's fault.

Those four sacks come despite Mahomes being pressured 63 times this season. Why such a low pressure-to-sack percentage? The answer is that's Mahomes. He does an excellent job feeling pressure, extending plays, and getting the ball out.

Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper will be able to get pressure, but the rest of the Broncos defense has struggled to maintain gap discipline. That will allow Mahomes to get out of the pocket, keep from getting sacked in the game, and make big off-schedule plays against Denver.

Chiefs Total 600-Plus Yards & 5 TDs

This one's pretty simple. The Broncos defense is terrible, while the Chiefs offense is one of the best in the NFL. While the Broncos defense does better than it did against the Miami Dolphins, it still allows the Chiefs to romp in front of their home crowd.

Another historically bad day leads to changes coming to the Broncos defense.

Broncos Lose by 30-Plus Points

This goes with the previous prediction. The Broncos defense simply can't stop the Chiefs. While the Broncos offense tries to keep it close, they end up having issues moving the ball and protecting it against the tough Chiefs defense.

The results of this one cement the idea for the Broncos to trade multiple players on both sides of the ball, including Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Frank Clark, and others, but Patrick Surtain II won't be one of them.

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