Upon Further Review: Broncos-Chiefs Defensive Preview

LDE: Tyson Jackson

NT: Dontari Poe

RDE: Ropati Pitoitua

OLB: Justin Houston, Tamba Hali

ILB: Derrick Johnson, Brandon Siler

CB: Brandon Flowers, Javier Arenas

FS: Travis Daniels

SS: Eric Berry

Chiefs Defensive Rankings:

Overall Defense: 17th

Pass Defense: 9th

Rush Defense: 26th

Scoring Defense: 25th

Broncos Defensive Rankings:

Overall Defense: 3rd

Pass Defense: 6th

Rush Defense: 3rd

Scoring Defense: 5th

Defensive Line

Chiefs:

Two thirds of the Chiefs D-Line consists of high first round selections. Normally that would be a product of success, but for the Chiefs it has not panned out that way. Jackson and Poe have shown flashes, but neither has shown to be dominant yet and Pitoitua hasn't done much in his career thus far. So far on the year Jackson has 43 tackles and 3 sacks, Poe has 35 tackles and Pitoitua has 45 tackles and 2 sacks. Since these guys are 3-4 Defensive Linemen so they don't put up big numbers. This group does have size and talent, so don't overlook them.

Broncos:

Still leading the way for the Broncos defensive line is Elvis Dumervil. On the year "Doom" has 53 tackles, 11 sacks and 6 forced fumbles. Rookie Derek Wolfe has 38 tackles and 5 sacks. Wolfe continues to have a very solid rookie campaign. Expect to see Robert Ayers some too. On the year Ayers has 14 tackles and 2 sacks. These guys will have to set the edge and make sure Charles can't get around the corner and get up to full speed. In the middle of the Denver Broncos D-Line is Justin Bannan. Bannan on the year has totaled 41 tackles, and starting opposite of him is Kevin Vickerson. On the year "Big Vick" has 35 tackles and 2 sacks. Mitch Unrein has also seen plenty of time in the middle. On the year he has 19 tackles and 1 TD reception. These guys will have to have a solid game if they want to slow down Jamaal Charles.

Linebackers:

Chiefs:

Derrick Johnson is leading the way for the Chiefs linebackers. Johnson has had a great year. Johnson has totaled 119 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 Forced Fumbles and Brandon Siler has 17 tackles. On the edges Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are one of the better 3-4 rush linebacker tandems in the league. On the year Houston has 57 tackles, 10 sacks and 1 Int and Tamba Hali has 49 tackles and 9 sacks. Tackles Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin will have their hands full with these two men. Lots of talent in this group, and i'm sure the Broncos offense have game planned around them.

Broncos:

One of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs in the NFL is Wesley Woodyard. Woodyard has been dominant and has been an upgrade at the linebacker position. On the year Woodyard has 113 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 Ints and 1 forced fumble. How he isn't even a Pro Bowl alternate is beyond me. Stud pass rusher Von Miller continues to make a case for Defensive Player of the year. On the year Miller has 65 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 1 Int for a TD. Miller has put up a pretty solid resume for the NFL Defensive Player of the year. In the middle, the veteran Keith Brooking has continued to be solid. Brooking has 52 tackles. Rookie Danny Trevathan has been solid in is role too. Trevathan has 33 tackles and 1 sack. These guys need to penetrate the backfield and stop Jamaal Charles and force Brady Quinn into passing the ball.

Secondary:

Chiefs:

Brandon Flowers is one of the better corners in the NFL and figures to be manned up on Demaryius Thomas all game which figures to be a fun matchup. On the year Flowers has 45 tackles, 1 sacks and 3 Ints. Javier Arenas has been decent along side of him. Arenas has totaled 53 tackles. Eric Berry who made the Pro Bowl has totaled 80 tackles and 1 Int, Travis Daniels who's starting in place of the injured Kendrick Lewis has totaled 16 tackles. This secondary did a good job of limiting Manning and the Broncos offense the last time they played, so it will be fun to watch Manning against this defense.

Broncos:

12 time Pro Bowler Champ Bailey continues to lead the way for the Denver Broncos defense. On the year Champ Bailey has 63 tackles and 2 Ints and continues to shut down the opposing teams best WR. Chris Harris who has had a Pro Bowl caliber season has totaled 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 Ints(2 of which were pick 6's). Safeties Rahim Moore and Mike Adams continue to be solid as well. On the year Moore has 64 tackles and 1 Int, while Adams has 77 tackles and a sack. Expect to see one of these guys in the box to help stop Charles Sunday afternoon. I expect Harris or Champ to get ahold of one of Brady Quinns passes Sunday as well.