Fansided

5 burning questions the Broncos must answer in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15, 2018: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack in the third quarter as the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The sack made Miller the all-time sack leader for the Broncos. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15, 2018: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack in the third quarter as the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The sack made Miller the all-time sack leader for the Broncos. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 28: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

4. Is this team ready to solve the Kansas City Chiefs?

It’s been a rough stretch for the Men from Mile High when it comes to this AFC West rivalry as of late. Andy Reid’s Chiefs has prevailed in the last seven meetings between these clubs – this after the Broncos has reeled off seven consecutive victories in this series from 2012-15. You have to go back to the beginning of this original AFL rivalry to find the last time the Chiefs were this dominant. From 1960-69, the franchise (originally the Dallas Texans) won 19 of the clubs’ first 20 encounters – winning the first eight meetings and then ripping off an 11-game winning streak.

As for modern times, it’s Reid’s club with seven straight wins in this rivalry. The Chiefs have scored at least 27 points in each of those contests. To spin it a bit forward, the Broncos have faced current Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes three times as he made his NFL debut in Week 17 of 2017 at Denver. But if the search is on for mind-boggling numbers from he or Alex Smith over this stretch against the Broncos’ defense, there is another factor that bears a look.

During the team’s current seven-game losing streak in this rivalry, Denver has utilized quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler (in relief of Manning in 2015), as well as Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Case Keenum. Those five hurler were sacked a combined 27 times while committing 15 turnovers. So can the Broncos solve the Chiefs’ new 4-3 pass rush? Let the chess match begin.

Next: No. 3

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