Five Key Matchups: Broncos vs. Chiefs
Take a look at five factors that could decide Sunday's game between the Broncos and Chiefs.
![Pro Bowler Justin Houston will be a threat to the Broncos' offensive line. The Broncos allowed a league-low 20 sacks in 2013, but Houston had 11 sacks that season and took Jake Locker down twice during Week 1. Chris Clark will look to build upon his resume by keeping Houston away from Peyton Manning."They've got two very good outside pass rushers in [LB Justin] Houston and [LB] Tamba Hali," John Fox said. "They've presented us some problems defensively in the past, and I don't see that changing much."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/vmv0khup9tfnqltz67c1.jpg)
Pro Bowler Justin Houston will be a threat to the Broncos' offensive line. The Broncos allowed a league-low 20 sacks in 2013, but Houston had 11 sacks that season and took Jake Locker down twice during Week 1. Chris Clark will look to build upon his resume by keeping Houston away from Peyton Manning."They've got two very good outside pass rushers in [LB Justin] Houston and [LB] Tamba Hali," John Fox said. "They've presented us some problems defensively in the past, and I don't see that changing much."
![Jamaal Charles finished Week 1 with 7 carries for 19 yards. While this was far below his usual production, the Broncos know to expect more touches for Charles on Sunday. With Danny Trevathan injured, the responsibility to contain Charles falls on Brandon Marshall, who had his first NFL start in Week 1, and Nate Irving. Marshall was impressive with nine total tackles against the Colts but Charles will certainly be a handful."We anticipate seeing plenty of him this week and obviously we think he's a really, really fine football player so we're getting prepared accordingly," Jack Del Rio said.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/ksd6uj8vxiodspwmzsi8.jpg)
Jamaal Charles finished Week 1 with 7 carries for 19 yards. While this was far below his usual production, the Broncos know to expect more touches for Charles on Sunday. With Danny Trevathan injured, the responsibility to contain Charles falls on Brandon Marshall, who had his first NFL start in Week 1, and Nate Irving. Marshall was impressive with nine total tackles against the Colts but Charles will certainly be a handful."We anticipate seeing plenty of him this week and obviously we think he's a really, really fine football player so we're getting prepared accordingly," Jack Del Rio said.
![The Chiefs racked up just 245 yards during their Week 1 loss to the Titans. This time around, they will have veteran wide receiver Dwayne Bowe back. He will likely be matched up against new Bronco Aqib Talib, who finished Week 1 with four tackles and three passes defended.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/wmw3ghgzeol6tonerdxk.jpg)
The Chiefs racked up just 245 yards during their Week 1 loss to the Titans. This time around, they will have veteran wide receiver Dwayne Bowe back. He will likely be matched up against new Bronco Aqib Talib, who finished Week 1 with four tackles and three passes defended.
![Recovering from an ACL tear is a long, difficult process. Von Miller wasn't quite up to his usual standard with just one tackle last week. But, Fox said the second game of the season offers players the opportunity to make a jump in how they play because they now have significant snaps under their belt. Miller will look to revert back to the elite pass rusher he was in 2012 and get to Alex Smith. Smith is a mobile quarterback who, in his two games against the Broncos last season, totaled 98 rushing yards and 523 yards in the air."He's a guy that can definitely run, so we have to, just like Andrew Luck, we have to be able to stay in coverage when he does get out of the pocket and actually he was a tough competitor last year," said Chris Harris Jr. "He took some hits from us and made some tough throws, so I know Alex Smith will definitely be a challenge for us."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/kfect8cnfb72szbefxyn.jpg)
Recovering from an ACL tear is a long, difficult process. Von Miller wasn't quite up to his usual standard with just one tackle last week. But, Fox said the second game of the season offers players the opportunity to make a jump in how they play because they now have significant snaps under their belt. Miller will look to revert back to the elite pass rusher he was in 2012 and get to Alex Smith. Smith is a mobile quarterback who, in his two games against the Broncos last season, totaled 98 rushing yards and 523 yards in the air."He's a guy that can definitely run, so we have to, just like Andrew Luck, we have to be able to stay in coverage when he does get out of the pocket and actually he was a tough competitor last year," said Chris Harris Jr. "He took some hits from us and made some tough throws, so I know Alex Smith will definitely be a challenge for us."
![Britton and Dustin Colquitt are the first brothers to punt in the NFL at the same time. Both punters are the career leaders in gross and net punting average for their respective teams.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/wfqsiftyn79xlneokpfk.jpg)
Britton and Dustin Colquitt are the first brothers to punt in the NFL at the same time. Both punters are the career leaders in gross and net punting average for their respective teams.