Looking ahead to Sunday Night

[Mile High Mania]

What can the last game at KC tell us ... if anything? First glance, KC let off the throttle - enjoyed a 1H lead thanks to the KO return and Manning/Decker were insanely in synch, especially after halftime.

Should be a cold one, as the high looks like 37 with a low of 29 - so at kickoff it's likely freezing. We'll see, the high on Saturday is 57 and on Monday it's 46, but it doesn't look like it will be wet, so that's good.

The game @ KC a year ago had much warmer temp on 12/1 with 55 degrees at kickoff, so it will be about 20 degrees colder for SNF. Simply being cold and loud is ok, not ideal - but ok.

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...1312010kan.htm

Last year, the Chiefs were up 21-14 at the half and down 35-21 with 7 minutes left before they scored, making it a 35-28 victory.

KC scored a TD on a 108 yd KO return (Davis), had more rushing yards as a team, won the TO battle and ended with a slight advantage on TOP. And while intercepting Manning twice - they couldn't stop him, and with the KC offense not being set up to win a passing battle, it hurt KC. Although, Smith had nearly 300 yards and 2 TDs.

Eric Decker went nuts (4 TDs total) as he caught 3 in the 2nd half, with Manning throwing for 5 TDs and over 400 yds. Montee Ball actually had a good day. Decker and Ball our gone, replaced by Sanders and CJ Anderson this year.

Travis Kelce is a big add for KC in this one and we'll see what they can do with Avant. Denver's defense can't stop anyone on 3rd down and TEs kill them.

I don't see a combined point total over 60 points again - more like 20-17 (KC), but we'll see what happens.

Manning is only 2 TDs and 243 yards off his record pace in 2013 through 11 games, but the ground game is different now ... and while the defense should be better, they haven't played like it lately consistently enough.

Denver needs Julius back in the lineup.. interestingly enough, he didn't play last year in KC either. Julius returning to the lineup is key for me if Denver can win. If Julius isn't playing, Denver loses... I just think he means that much in a game like this on the road.

Say what you will about reverse mojo, but I'm not expecting a Denver win here... not after the way they've played over the last month.

Obviously, I'm fine being wrong here. Let's have some fun this week.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Ok, I guess I don't know how to quantify critical points in a game. Which teams do you think are the best at it?

Unfortunately, I'm not at a point in my life where I can watch a ton of NFL games... not that I'm complaining, I wouldn't have it any other way. So, I can't compare them to the other 31 NFL teams.

All I know is what I see. And, more often than not when the Broncos need a key stop on 3rd down --- they give up the conversion. I think the times it happens over the last month stick out more simply because of how inconsistent they've played.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by TEX

BULL SHIT you TOOL. Predicting a KC win so you can save your TWO FACED Mile High Mule Tool ass if it happens. If not, you can twist the knife and talk shit about a Denver win at KC again. You've set it up so you "win" either way. Typical poser - move dude. You've cornered the market...

Yeah, because I jump in and twist the knife around here so often.

In recent years, after a Bronco win over KC - there's typically very little that I say. This board is usually in meltdown mode of epic proportions and there's nothing really left to be said.

Again - call it whatever you like, but Denver (IMO) hasn't given me anything to be too secure about this week, losing 3 on the road as they have and looking soft against OAK in the 1H, @ the Rams and then all day yesterday vs Miami.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Unfortunately, I'm not at a point in my life where I can watch a ton of NFL games... not that I'm complaining, I wouldn't have it any other way. So, I can't compare them to the other 31 NFL teams.

All I know is what I see. And, more often than not when the Broncos need a key stop on 3rd down --- they give up the conversion. I think the times it happens over the last month stick out more simply because of how inconsistent they've played.

I understand, it seems like they always allow the other team to walk all over them when it matters. I just know that I was angry at Manning yesterday for overthrowing a deep receiver what seemed like about 15 times. After thinking about it, I know he's one of the best ever at what he does, so other teams must have it worse.

How about this: when the score is within 8 points in the 4th quarter or overtime (maybe a good definition of "when it matters"), Denver has allowed:

1 TD
1 FG

and has forced:

4 punts
2 INTs
2 TO by downs

By percentage, every one of those number is better than league average.

[Mile High Mania]

I was also getting too annoyed with the slightly overthrown passes...

It's easier to get over that stuff, knowing what he can turn around and do on the next play. I don't yet have that confidence in the defense and they haven't played consistently enough at a high level to earn it.

When they are up - then it's lights out. I remember the KC game and the three drives that were way too long, we just cannot have that in KC.

Manning had the ball once in the 3rd Quarter if I recall, and really only twice in the 2H in week 2.

[Jimmya]

I love seeing Manning on the Sideline....makes me feel generally confident!

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Jimmya

I love seeing Manning on the Sideline....makes me feel generally confident!

I hear ya, 23 minutes - 24 points. Almost worked.

[cj2wr]

Chiefs should wear the red on red uniforms and blow them the F out

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Baconeater

I've seen this movie before, it will be close most of the game and the Chiefs will probably even have a lead at some point. Then in the 4th quarter Chiefs D will start falling apart, then throw in some bullshit penalties and big plays and the Donks start pulling away and win by double digits.

If you put a gun to my head, this is where I'm at. You saw the flags start flying when Manning needed the drive against MIA (That hands to the face against Sanders was the worst). We don't have the guns to put them down and Manning team vs KC that is in the game is trouble. Always has been, always will be.

As far as TOP, that's ****ing horseshit. Drives me ****ing crazy when dumbasses talk like this. It is about the efficiency. You are going to get +/- 2 possessions just like the other team. If you can get the ball and score and your defense can line up and get stops, it doesn't ****ing matter if there are 6 possessions in a game or 20. You have to be more efficient with the ball than the opponent.

If you score a kickoff or punt return every time you get the ball, you're going to beat Manning if you can grab a stop or two. Holding onto the ball matters not a ****ing thing if you don't score points.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

You saw the flags start flying when Manning needed the drive against MIA (That hands to the face against Sanders was the worst).

Really .... 6 for 50 (Mia) compared to 9 for 98 (Den)

I'll agree that I thought it was a BS call on the hands to the face, but the flags really started flying?

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Really .... 6 for 50 (Mia) compared to 9 for 98 (Den)

I'll agree that I thought it was a BS call on the hands to the face, but the flags really started flying?

That's not helping. IIRC, there were 3 flags on that drive, so half of all flags against MIA came on one drive (it might be 2, don't remember). But yeah. They started flying.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Chiefs had an obvious fumble that they would have ran in for a TD called an incomplete pass the last time they played. A key reason why they lost...yeah if the game is called like that we are ****ed.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

That's not helping. IIRC, there were 3 flags on that drive, so half of all flags against MIA came on one drive (it might be 2, don't remember). But yeah. They started flying.

Oh... so, there has to be a conspiracy. Got it.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Only a complete homer would think they don't get favorable calls. See the last meeting against KC. Pathetic.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Oh... so, there has to be a conspiracy. Got it.

Oh **** the **** off. I didn't say a goddamned thing about a conspiracy. Get that shit the **** out of here.

It's not news that officials have a penchant for sticking their nose in big situations. And it's not just Manning.

Bottom line, if we get officials like the last drive against MIA, we're boned.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I find myself lost in the labyrinthine contours of your elaborate argument.

I'm tapping out. This is too much.

Dude is the biggest idiot on the board. Some psycho that negs me for nothing - weird dude.