***SNF IN THE SWAMP - KC @ DEN***
***KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ DENVER BRONCOS***
A great one kicks off shortly for SNF tonight as the AFC Wild Wild West takes center stage and the Chiefs take on the Broncos in Denver for a chance to break the tie for second place in the division behind the Oakland Raiders who just defeated the Panthers as I type this. That being said, both KC and Denver cannot afford to drop a game if they hope to chase down Oakland, especially not to one another. This makes for an exciting matchup tonight. The Chiefs are coming off of a surprising home loss against a feisty young and hungry Bucs squad (Swamp called this) last week and the last time we saw the Broncos they squeaked out a lucky win in New Orleans with a blocked FG/TD and headed into their bye week. We are pressed for time here so I will get to the point- This should be a tremendous defensive battle between two hard hitting stout defenses who are both getting some key pieces back and per some injury reports a few minutes ago, will have all their top dawgs suiting up for this one. That being said I am going to side with KC here as I believe this one will be a FG difference either way. I am not and haven't ever been a big fan of Broncos QB Trevor Siemian. The kid is solid, but I don't think he really has what it takes to take over a game and command an offense, at least not yet. This KC defense is playing great, especially in the redzone and do not give up any easy plays. I don't think Siemian will be able to take advantage and throw into those tight windows. Chiefs CB Marcus Peters will be suiting up and it will be full force up front behind Hali, Houston, Poe and Co. QB Alex Smith will be without WR Jeremy Maclin but has found a new weapon in WR Tyreek Hill who is the fasted man in the NFL, and they have figured out ways to utilize his deadly speed in the offense to help mix things up. The Broncos defense is great against the pass, but kind of soft in the middle. In other words, up against a tough ground and pound, dink and dunk type of offense like KC, they can be vulnerable. With kickoff rapidly approaching, I like Alex Smith and the KC offense to get up for this rivalry game under the lights and make QB Siemian uncomfortable. I am not so sure the Broncos will end the season with the second year QB and I'm thinking may be forced to turn to their Rookie sooner than later to try and spark the offense. Close low scoring game here. CHIEFS+3.5
