PLAYER NOTES
–LB Von Miller has 87.5 sacks since entering the league in 2011, the most in the NFL in that span. He has a team-high four sacks this season.
–LB Bradley Chubb, the Broncos’ top draft pick, has the most quarterback hurries (nine) among rookie defenders.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay has made a notable impact in his first three career games in more ways than one. The undrafted free agent out of Colorado was ejected for throwing a punch in a first-quarter scrum over a loose ball. A key contributor and catalyst in both of Denver’s two wins to start the season, his absence was felt in the team’s first loss of the season at Baltimore as the Broncos’ offense stalled repeatedly against the Ravens. Baltimore scored 20 straight points to finish the game after trailing 14-7 early on. Lindsay is averaging 6.0 yards on 33 carries with a long of 53 yards. He has three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Broncos LT Garett Bolles and RT Jared Veldheer vs. Chiefs OLBs Justin Houston and Dee Ford. Houston and Ford have been the best players on a unit that ranks last in the league in total defense. They’re both able to cover a lot of ground in run support and exert pressure on the quarterback. Veldheer missed time this season with a concussion and Bolles drew two holding penalties last week, setting back an already struggling offense. Bolles and Veldheer will need to shore up the offensive line to help sustain drives and maintain as much possession as possible to keep the ball away from the Chiefs’ highly productive offense.
–Broncos OLB Von Miller vs. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Beyond his powerful, accurate passing arm, Mahomes has shown remarkable quickness and elusiveness on the run, both in the pocket and in scrambles. Miller, who has four sacks on the season and plenty of hurries, represents the Broncos’ best chance to pressure Mahomes and throw him off his rhythm.
