Contenders or pretenders? MNF matchup will prove if Broncos can be for real

Good morning, Broncos Country!

It goes without saying there is a lot riding on the Broncos-Chiefs game on Monday Night Football.

It’s primetime and that’s always the time to shine.

Obviously it’s a divisional game, and just from a psychological standpoint, those are big games to win.

And the win-loss record among AFC West teams is primo when it comes to important victories (or devastating losses). If the 2-1 Broncos upset the 3-0 Chiefs, they hold a top spot next to their division rivals, which will be key for any shot at the playoffs this season. Likewise, dropping to 2-2 while KC surges to a 4-0 lead in the conference could prove too much to make up in the end.

But those are just numbers, and as just the fourth game of the season, a lot can still change in the rankings.

No, the more critical aspect of this game is not so much the outcome as it is the preparation. And I’m not talking about practice; I’m talking about game planning.

Can Vance Joseph and his coaching staff come up with a complete - yet fluid - game plan that is a winning formula against a smokin’ hot Chiefs offense but a tepid Chiefs defense?

If they can, Broncos win this no doubt - Mile High Magic and all that.

But if they cannot, then this game will send a clear message to future opponents - the Broncos, despite their weapons, can be out-schemed.

“Yes, it’s going to be a total team effort. Obviously, our offense has to score points, but also move the ball and burn the clock for us. Defensively, we have to go out there and do our jobs,” Joesph said, adding that the defense has to get quarterback Patrick Mahomes into third downs, something previous opponents have been basically unable to do. “It’s our job to win the first and second down on defense and get off on third down. Offensively, we have to keep drives alive, convert third downs, burn the clock and score points.”

He’s right, of course, but how the Broncos are going to do that when the offense has been unable to play a complete game so far with finished drives, no turnovers and no big penalties, and the defense has been unable to stop just about everyone’s passing game, it’s easy to question just how well this team can perform on Monday night.

We know the Broncos have many of the tools they need to win. The offense truly has depth at “playmaker,” and the defense has a line and group of edge rushers that can get after anybody if unleashed to do so.

The key piece missing is a game plan that schemes away from the Broncos’ weaknesses and is aggressive with their strengths - putting players in the best position to play their best games.

In their first three games, the Chiefs have outscored their opponents in the first quarter 49-6. Despite a rather weak defense, Kansas City is keeping teams from starting fast. Then it’s scoring fast and generally giving opponents an edge in time of possession. But so far that hasn’t mattered because even as teams begin scoring, Mahomes & Co. keep coming back with scores too.

With that in mind, the Broncos can’t start slow by being too conservative and risking three-and-outs or just hoping to long, sustained drives will keep up with a high-octane offense like KC’s.

“It’s going to be a challenge to start fast, to play great defense and for our offense to score points,” Joseph acknowledged, adding that keeping an eye on Tyreek Hill for special teams is also required. “In all three phases, it’s going to be a challenge. But again, we’re looking forward to it.”

I’ll tell you what I’m looking forward to - a game plan that says it understands the kind of players Broncos have and recognizes the kind of players the Chiefs have.

I want to see an aggressive pass rush the entire game. Mahomes is going to score. The best chance Broncos have is to constantly pressure the QB and force him to make some mistakes, so the secondary can take away at least some of the Chiefs’ chances in the red zone. And for gods sake, cover Travis Kelce like a wet blanket. Josey Jewell perhaps???

The Broncos offense needs to be equally aggressive and play up-tempo, getting the ball to Phillip Lindsay, Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas and Courtland Sutton.

What’s riding on this game is not whether the Broncos can win. It’s whether VJ & Co. can scheme how to win.

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