The Broncos remain the class of the AFC West until someone knocks them off their perch, but the gap could be closing with Peyton Manning showing signs of age. And it’s the Chiefs who are next in line to dethrone the division champs. But the Broncos have won four straight at Arrowhead Stadium and are 17-1 against division opponents since Manning’s arrival in 2012.
ODDS
Kansas City opened as a 1.5-point favorite and the spread was quickly wagered to -3 after the outcome of last week’s games. Don’t count out the Broncos after one game, though. They’ve owned the AFC West, losing just once in 18 games with Manning at quarterback, and are 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six against the Chiefs. The total opened at 46 and took a dive to 41.5 after Denver’s less than stellar outing against the Ravens.
KEY INJURIES
Darian Stewart – Didn’t practice this week while nursing a sore groin and is questionable to play Thursday. He sealed Denver’s win last week with an interception at the goal line in the final minute.
Omar Bolden – Suffered a foot injury leaving the Broncos thin at safety. He is listed as doubtful. Fellow safety T.J. Ward, however, returns after his Week 1 suspension.
Eric Fisher – The Chiefs right tackle didn’t play last week with a sore ankle and was criticized after reports surfaced that he tapped out having to face J.J. Watt. Coach Andy Reid said it was his choice, and it will be again, with Fisher ready to play.
KEY MISMATCH
Manning looked out of place in coach Gary Kubiak’s new offensive scheme behind a line with three new starters, especially after running back C.J. Anderson left the game. Delayed blitzes from linebackers and defensive backs, caught the Broncos off guard repeatedly in the preseason and again last week, when Manning was sacked twice in a span of five plays and four times total by the Ravens. Manning was sacked just 17 times all of last season. The Broncos will likely use multiple tight end sets and employ the run game to keep pass rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali off Manning, but that takes away the downfield threats of Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. Even if the Chiefs don’t get to Manning, they win the battle by eliminating the two game-breaking receivers.
KEY STAT
5 – Kansas City recorded five quarterback sacks last week in Houston. Manning looked hurried and frantic facing constant pressure from the Ravens last week. If the Chiefs can apply equal amounts – which they are more than capable of – they will disrupt the Broncos’ offensive flow. Justin Houston, the NFL leader with 22 sacks last season, has at least one in seven straight games.
BETTING ANGLE
Peyton Manning has all kinds of records for touchdown passes during his illustrious career. He holds the NFL’s career, season and is tied for the game record. But now he’s having a heck of a time hitting paydirt. Last week Manning failed to throw a touchdown pass, continuing a trend that began late last season. It was the third time in his last five regular season games that he failed to throw a touchdown pass. Prior to that, he’d thrown at least one in 51 consecutive regular season games. Manning studies defenses and is one of the most cerebral players in the league, but at the age of 39 it seems clear he’s not the same player he once was. His days of breaking touchdown records are over, but with Denver’s defense, he could manage the Broncos back to the playoffs.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
After so many years of exceptional play, are we really seeing the end of Manning’s career? He is 39 and the signs of erosion are there, but let’s chalk last week up to working in a new system and seeing significant reps for the first time. He didn’t play that much during the preseason in order to conserve what’s left in his aging body. The talent is there for the Broncos’ offense to resurface but they will rely more on their defense, which is pretty good. The Chiefs showed they’re stout defensively as well, and Alex Smith has plenty of options on the offensive end. Both teams are well balanced, but the Chiefs get the edge as the home team in a close one.
Kansas City 24, Denver 20
BookMaker sent out the NFL odds for this Thursday game at Kansas City -1.5 with a total of 46. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! Bet on the NFL today as the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs square off Thursday, September 17, 2015, at 8:25 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS and the NFL Network.
