Five Key Matchups: vs. Chiefs
The top matchups for Thursday night's battle between the Broncos and the Chiefs begins with Brandon Marshall and Jamaal Charles.
With a balanced offensive attack that gained a weapon in Jeremy Maclin, Jamaal Charles has a bit more breathing room so opponents can't key on him as much. He remains as potent a threat as ever with great vision, speed and agility and is also a threat in the passing game on routes out of the backfield in checkdowns that help keep defenses off balance. Brandon Marshall (as well as Danny Trevathan) showed in Week 1 that he has not slowed down since recovering from from his injury over the offseason. In the new scheme, he was still disruptive and was able to penetrate through the opposing line. How he matches up with Charles is not a simple one-on-one equation, but how he helps wrap up Charles will be key.
Right tackle Ryan Harris will see a lot of 2014's NFL sack leader Thursday night. Houston is a dynamic force not unlike Denver's own Von Miller. The Broncos managed to hold the Ravens' top edge rushers at bay in Week 1, but Houston can pose a bigger threat from the edge.
It was Aqib Talib who came up with the biggest impact play against Baltimore, but Chris Harris Jr. quietly shined in wrapping up receivers for a total of 13 allowed yards on four receptions. Going against Maclin, who can be used as a weapon in different ways in this Chiefs offense, Harris will face a new challenge, but it's one he'll be ready for.
Von Miller may not have gotten a sack on Joe Flacco, but his presence was felt nonetheless. He's had big games against the Chiefs in the past, and Chiefs right tackle Jah Reid will have another difficult matchup on his hands a week after going against J.J. Watt.
T.J. Ward returns from a one-game suspension to make his 2015 debut Thursday night, and if his performance in the preseason was any indicator, he'll be a dynamic factor in many facets of the defense. One of those assignments might be in matching up with TE Travis Kelce, one of QB Alex Smith's favorite targets. Kelce is athletic and has good hands, and he offers Smith one heck of an option over the middle with Maclin helping open up things on the outside.
