The Denver Broncos take on the Chiefs this week, in Kansas City.  The Chiefs bring with them a 4-4 record and are converting 40% (12th in NFL) of their 3rd down opportunities and scoring 42% (27th in NFL) of the time, while in the red zone.

In this weekly article, Pro Football Spotlight will bring you the upcoming opponent’s rushing and passing tendencies, as well as some additional data and observations. For example: Did you know that the Chiefs are ranked 4th in the NFL in punt return average?

Every team in the NFL has strengths and weaknesses, tendencies, and go-to guys. They have plays they like to call during tight situations or directions they like to run when in the middle of the football field.

Let’s take a look at the rest of those tendencies…

Rushing Offense

Rushing Notes:

• Above, is a new slider graph we are trying at PFS. First, you will see the Chiefs’ run tendencies. If you click the ribbon (grey column) on the right you will see how opponents are doing against the Broncos’ defense. Hope you like it.
• The Kansas City Chiefs, like most of the AFC West teams, love to run the ball toward the middle of the formation.  The Chiefs are ranked 4th in the NFL in the number of attempts toward the center, with 89.
• The Denver Broncos have been attacked 69 times, 6th most in NFL, directly at the center.
• The Chiefs are ranked 1st in the NFL in the number of attempts toward the right end (defensive left) and 4th in the NFL in the number of attempts around the left end (defensive right).  If you watch many Chiefs’ games, you know that the Chiefs like to zone stretch the outside and catch the corner if they can set the edge or cut it up.  Lately, the Chiefs have been putting a few plays where they bend the fullback to the backside so they can cut it all the way back to the backside.
• The Chiefs are getting their best production out when they run the ball around the left tackle area.  They are currently ranked #1 in the NFL in yards, per attempt, when running at the left guard, 7.2 ypa.
• Denver is giving up good yards around the left end (6.3 yards per attempt) and the left tackle areas (4.6 yards per attempt).  Look for the Chiefs to focus on those areas.  Kansas City may have some issues with Ryan McBean and his ability to be physical and penetrate into the backfield.  If the Chiefs can limit McBean’s destructiveness…then Denver could be in for a struggle trying to hold back the Chiefs rushing attack.

Passing Offense

Passing Notes:

• The Chiefs’ passing attack is still a work in progress.  One game, they look dangerous with Bowe, Breaston, and the rookie, Baldwin.  Other games they can’t seem to get in a rhythm.
• The Chiefs have not thrown the ball well, this year.  But when they do…it appears they like to throw the ball to the right side of the field.  Kansas City has thrown the ball the the short left zone 99 times (14th in NFL).
• Kansas City has thrown the ball to the deep right zone 24 times this year, 6th in NFL.  But  their completion rate to that zone is only 29%.  That will be a good match-up for the Broncos, who are only giving up a 35% completion rate to that zone.
• The Broncos have been attacked 19 times (4th in NFL) in their deep middle zone this year.  Not only that, but they are giving up a 73% completion rate to the deep middle zone.  Look for the Chiefs to try and come up with a way to capitalize on that soft spot.
• Last week, the Dolphins blitzed Cassel and it was very effective.  The Chiefs did not appear to be prepared for the blitzes, and didn’t have many hot reads (or Cassel just didn’t use them).  Look for the Chiefs to really work on that this week and hopefully be more prepared for the blitz, this week.