An enormous Week 8 game with divisional implications is on deck between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The last time these two teams met, it was at the beginning of the season in Week 1. Kansas City burst the early Broncos' Super Bowl-contender bubble in a 31-10 drubbing at Arrowhead.
This time, Denver has the chance to take their shot at the AFC West crown at home. Ahead of the matchup, we went behind enemy lines and asked Chiefs Wire writer John Dillon five questions about KC's squad. Check out our questions and John's answers below.
1. What has been the biggest headline for the Chiefs since last meeting Denver in Week 1?
The Chiefs' 5-0 start put Kansas City back in the limelight, but a Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks has many fans in Western Missouri wondering if this team really has what it takes to win
another Super Bowl. Veteran kicker Harrison Butker underperformed during the Chiefs' loss to Seattle, missing two three-point field goals in a game that saw Kansas City struggle in all four quarters. After Butker's disastrous outing, the Chiefs decided to sign eight-time All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker, which has dominated the news cycle in Kansas City this week.
2. What is the biggest strength of this team halfway through the season? The biggest weakness?
I'd say the Chiefs' biggest strength is their coaching, though the team's loss to the Seahawks definitely exposed some deficiencies, to that end. At this point in the regular season, Kansas City's most glaring weakness is its receiving corps, which has been without Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton since Week 4. Expect the Chiefs to attempt to add another wideout before the trade deadline.
3. What are going to be the two biggest keys of the game for Kansas City?
On offense, Kansas City needs to get Patrick Mahomes in rhythm early. If he can establish a steady connection with any of his pass-catchers in the first quarter, Andy Reid will be able to lean on Kenneth Walker III later in the game. Defensively, the Chiefs have to figure out how to pressure Bo Nix. Sack-masters Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have been completely ineffective through six games this season, and another pitiful performance from Kansas City's pass-rush against Denver would be a true disappointment.
4. Who has been the best newcomer of the season thus far?
Running back Kenneth Walker III has been a revelation for the Chiefs' offense this season, which makes him the obvious choice here. That being said, rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson won Rookie of the Month honors in September, and given Kansas City's ongoing drama with former first-round pick Josh Simmons, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the former Indiana Hoosier.
5. Who wins Week 8 and why?
I have a feeling that the Chiefs will figure out a way to win this game after an embarrassing loss to the Seahawks in primetime. Don't get me wrong, the Broncos will have an excellent chance to knock off Kansas City in front of a home crowd at Empower Field, but the Chiefs haven't looked like a team that is going to loosen its grip on the top spot in the AFC West standings. In the end, I think Mahomes, Walker, and Travis Kelce will be able to score enough points to keep Denver at bay. Final score: Chiefs 24, Broncos 19.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos vs. Chiefs: 5 things Denver fans should know about KC’s squad
