Schlereth: Broncos can’t beat the Chiefs in a shootout scenario
Sep 28, 2018, 1:21 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm
There is a formula for the Denver Broncos to come away with a win against the vaunted Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Mark Schlereth said Friday, and it has nothing to do with trying to keep up with their high-octane offense.
“I believe if you get into a shootout with the Chiefs, you’re going to lose,” said the “Schlereth and Evans” co-host.
The Chiefs have too many “exceptional weapons,” Schlereth said, to think the Broncos can fare well in a shootout scenario.
“here’s been a bunch of teams that have tried to get into a shootout with the Chiefs. I just don’t think that’s the way you beat the Chiefs,” Schlereth said.
Instead, Denver needs to limit Kansas City’s possession, ideally to about 10 for the game.
“An average football game has about 13 possessions per side. I think you need to get it down to around 10 by possessing the ball, by grinding out some drives,” Schlereth said.
Schlereth said you can eliminate the Chiefs’ ability to get big chunk plays if you possess the ball and keep their opportunities limited.
“You want Patrick Mahomes and that offense to sit on the sideline. You want Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to be on the sideline,” Schlereth said. “And you want them to feel the pressure of, hey, we’ve got to score immediately.
“I think those are the things that you really want to have happened.”
Earlier this week, “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Cecil Lammey said the Broncos can utilize their rushing game as a sort of defense against Kansas City.
“There’s a way the Denver Broncos can keep the Kansas City Chiefs offense in check, and that’s called running the ball,” said Cecil Lammey.
“Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley said as well that Denver can “frustrate” the Chiefs by “milking the play clock.”
“Make them feel the pressure,” Stokley said. “Make them panic a little bit.”
Through three games, the Broncos offense ranks third in the league in terms of rushing yards (434), behind only the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. But Denver ranks 17th in terms of time of possession per game (30:39).
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
