Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019.  Colin E. Braley | Associated Press
NFL

Thursday Night Football: Greg Frank picks Chiefs vs Broncos and sees a trap — does Vic Fangio know how to stop Patrick Mahomes?

Greg Frank

Chiefs (-3) @ Broncos (48.5)

Pick: Broncos +3

Can you say trap? That’s what this game is. Any time you get the clear better team, laying this short of a number, it’s usually too good to be true. These games often pop up with road favorites and this one is a divisional game as well. Yes, Kansas City is better than Denver. But will they be better on Thursday night? I’m not so sure there. The Chiefs have lost back-to-back games and the blueprint is out on how to beat them. Pound it down their throats, as they are third-to-last in the NFL against the run allowing close to 160 rushing yards per game and keep Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. Mahomes has been playing at less than 100 percent the last couple weeks as well thanks to an ankle injury. Isn’t stopping this Kansas City offense exactly why Denver hired longtime defensive coordinator Vic Fangio? If you don’t have Patrick Mahomes, you’re much better off dialing up a game plan to stop him, then trying to find another one like him because that’s not going to end well. On the other side of the ball, Denver’s a run-first offense which caters well to the aforementioned blueprint on how to beat Kansas City. Expect lots of Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman in the mile-high city and for the Broncos to possess the ball for at least 35 minutes on their way to an upset victory at home.

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