The Denver Broncos enter Sunday as a 9.5-point underdog against the division leading
Kansas City Chiefs. They haven’t beaten the Chiefs since 2015 and will look to snap the
11-game losing streak on Sunday night. Here’s three players Kansas City has to hold in
check to prevent the upset from happening.
By: Jack Johnson, Sports Radio 810
- Javonte Williams
The Broncos rank 14th in the league in rushing with the duo of Williams and Melvin
Gordon in the backfield. However, Gordon was limited all week in practice with a
shoulder and hip injury. At the moment, he has a 50 percent chance of playing, per
Denver head coach Vic Fangio.
If Gordon is unable to go, Williams is the clear favorite to take the majority of snaps at
running back. The rookie out of North Carolina is averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 117
attempts with two touchdowns. His stocky build of 5-foot-10, 220 pounds makes him
difficult to bring down in open space — which is why he’s 26th in the NFL in yards after
contact. - Courtland Sutton
Sutton, the Broncos’ top receiving weapon, recently signed a four-year extension worth
over $60 million. With his size of 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Sutton poses as a towering
matchup for opposing corners. Unfortunately for Kansas City, Rashad Fenton didn’t
practice all week — making him doubtful to go on Sunday Night.
Without Fenton, the likeliest matchup for Sutton would be L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed was
most recently tasked with defending Davante Adams, Bryan Edwards and Cee Dee
Lamb.
Sutton leads the Broncos with 634 receiving yards on 45 catches. His 14.1 yards per
reception is good for 14th in the NFL. - Pat Surtain II
Denver passed on picking its future quarterback in Justin Fields during the 2021 NFL
Draft, but didn’t miss with its selection of Pat Surtain out of Alabama.
The 21-year-old is coming off his best performance as a pro — tallying two interceptions
and one pass deflection against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. One of those
interceptions was returned for a touchdown, which put the game out of reach in the
fourth quarter.
Surtain may have his most challenging matchup upcoming in Tyreek Hill, who’s just 68
yards from his fourth career 1,000-yard season.
If the Broncos are to pull off the shocker, Surtain needs to top his performance from a
week ago.