Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/16

Nine Takeaways From Chiefs Media Availability on Tuesday from The Mothership

Reid complimented linebacker Derrick Johnson for the way he looked against the Houston Texans.

"I thought he played very well," he said. "He was aggressive, downhill and made a lot of plays."

Reid is eager for the 2015 Arrowhead Stadium crowd debut on Thursday night.

"It's Red Thursday, so how much better does it get than that? There will be a 'couple people' there," Reid joked. "When those 'couple people' are there, they're very loud. It's a great environment for football and we're glad it's our home."

Chiefs Opponent Preview: Get to Know the Denver Broncos from The Mothership

When you're talking about the Broncos, everything starts with quarterback Peyton Manning.

He's a future first-ballot Hall of Famer and he's historically been a thorn in the Chiefs side, dating all the way back to his days with the Indianapolis Colts.

He's 11-1 overall against the Chiefs in the regular season and 5-1 at Arrowhead Stadium.

"Peyton has certain strengths that few quarterbacks have - his ability to stand back there and make decisions, orchestrate the offense in what he believes is the best way," Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. "That's certainly something everybody knows he does a tremendous job of."

In the two games against the Chiefs last season (both wins), Manning finished a combined 38 of 60 for 421 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Chiefs vs. Broncos: Five Things to Watch from The Mothership

1. Can the Chiefs contain DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller?

Last week, it was J.J. Watt and company with the Houston Texans, and this week, it's DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller coming off the edge, as the Chiefs offensive line will once again face one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL on Thursday night.

Last week, in their win over the Baltimore Ravens, Miller and Ware combined for eight quarterback hits.

"I think they're really 'veteran,'" Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith explained of the Broncos defense. "They're really well-coached and they all know what they're doing. No one is blowing assignments over there or anything like that. It starts up front. They have two special edge guys.

"The guys inside are good as well, so they really get after the passer. You look at the Baltimore game and they were really able to create a lot of problems in the pocket."

Across the Lines: Six Things the Broncos Are Saying About the Upcoming Game with the Chiefs This Wee[k] from The Mothership

Even though Manning and the Broncos offense did not score a touchdown, he feels positively due to the fact that the team still came out with the Week 1 win.

"We're 1-0, as are the Chiefs 1-0," he said. "The thing I'm really trying to remind people is that it's a Bronco unit. It's not three separate teams—it's not Bronco offense, Bronco defense, Bronco special teams—so the Broncos as a whole are 1-0. We had a good win against a really good Baltimore team. I feel like the NFL really wanted to challenge us right off the bat, playing a really good Baltimore team with a really good Chiefs game four days later. That's where we are and that's the challenge that's ahead of us."

Around the AFC West: Broncos and Chargers Win, Raiders Lose in Week 1 from The Mothership

Neither the Denver Broncos nor the Baltimore Ravens scored an offensive touchdown Sunday as Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco, two quarterbacks who have won the Super Bowl, combined for less than 300 yards in the air.

That meant the game winner needed to earn it on defense.

"It might be the greatest defensive football game I've ever been a part of as a coach. On both sides of the ball, it was just tremendous," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said. "It was a battle all day. Offensively, early in the game, we had a chance to make a couple big plays we didn't make."

Chiefs' Eric Fisher practices Tuesday from Chiefs Digest

But Fisher's repetitions will be monitored as he returns from a high-ankle sprain suffered on Aug. 17 in training camp.

"It's making progress," Reid said of Fisher's ankle. "I'm not sure it's all the way back, though, where we need to be."

ESPN Radio: Adam Teicher on Eric Fisher

Week 2: Tuesday injury report from Chiefs Digest

Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (back) returned to a full practice Tuesday ahead of Thursday night's game against the Denver Broncos.

Also returning to a full practice after being limited on Monday are safety Husain Abdullah (quad) and rookie linebacker D.J. Alexander (hamstring).

Starting outside linebacker Tamba Hali (neck) was limited Tuesday for a second straight day.

Chiefs are again at their best with multiple tight ends in their lineup from ESPN

The Chiefs scored all three of their touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Houston Texans with more than one tight end in the game. Quarterback Alex Smith was 5-of-10 for 87 yards, two touchdowns and had a passer rating of 120 utilizing two tight ends and 2-of-4 for 26 yards, one score and a rating of 110 when all three played at the same time.

The Chiefs' two longest plays of the day, a 42-yard touchdown throw to Kelce and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin's 20-yard catch, came with two tight ends on the field.

Derrick Johnson looking for a Chiefs' record against Broncos from Chiefs Digest

Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is on the threshold of becoming the leading tackler in Chiefs history, or at least since they started tracking statistics for tackling in 1977. Johnson sits with 993 career tackles, seven shy of 1,000 and the spot ahead of former Chiefs and Kansas State linebacker Gary Spani (1978-86).

Johnson was prepared last year to reach the 1,000-mark and the team record, but the ruptured Achilles tendon that he suffered in the 2014 opener ended his season and put pursuit of the record on hold.

"I thought about it last year a lot," Johnson said. "My main focus now is helping the team win and that record will get broken while I'm doing that."

LB Derrick Johnson on precipice of Chiefs tackles record from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Now, as the Chiefs prepare to face the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, the seemingly ageless Johnson is seven tackles away from 1,000, which would pass Gary Spani for the franchise record.

Not only that, but he's continued to make plays in the middle of the Kansas City defense just one year after a season-ending Achilles injury led some to question whether he would be back.

"It's important when I go home and sleep at night," Johnson said of the record. "I have seven left, but there's a couple times during the year you get five tackles. Sometimes I have 13 or 14 in a game. I hope it's one of those. It'll be refreshing after the fact that it's broke."

Such records are a rarity in the NFL these days.

Not many players perform at such a high level over an extended period of time, and free agency means that those precious few often spend their careers with multiple organizations.

Chiefs aren't buying reports of Peyton Manning's decline from ESPN

"We're not going into this game saying 'Oh, man, this is our chance. Peyton is not the same...'" linebacker Derrick Johnson said. "Peyton is the man. Trust me, when we go out there, there's nothing but respect for Peyton Manning and what he has going on. If we're not on our stuff, he can blow our socks off."

The Chiefs have actually defended Manning very well at times over the years but still couldn't get the job done. He has a better career passer rating against 14 other teams than he does against the Chiefs (99.6). That rating is slightly higher than for his career against all teams (97.5) but not by much.

But they've beaten him just once, in the regular season in 2004. Even then, Kansas City needed to score 45 points to get it done.

Chiefs' Marcus Peters embraces challenge of facing Peyton Manning from Chiefs Digest

"He works hard," Reid said. "His challenge will just be not on that front, but he's young in the business, so people will study him and then he's got to keep answering the bell every week."

Perfect timing from Reid when considering Peters, the Chiefs' first-round draft choice (18th overall), faces a challenge Thursday night against Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

Just don't expect Peters to back down.

"It's football at the end of the day," Peters said. "Great quarterback, Hall of Famer, but you got to go play football."

It's time for Chiefs QB Alex Smith to step up against the Denver Broncos from ESPN

But the fact remains the Chiefs are very light on fourth-quarter comebacks with Smith as their quarterback. Most of their 20 wins with Smith under center have come when the Chiefs led in the fourth period and didn't need him to guide a comeback.

Unless the Chiefs carry many leads in the fourth quarter and hold on for victory during Smith's remaining time as their quarterback, this will be a hole in his game. The great ones are defined by what they do in the fourth quarter with the game on the line and in the most important games of the past two seasons, Smith hasn't gotten it done.

Keys to the game: Broncos @ Chiefs from Chiefs Digest

In Thursday night's game against Denver, the Chiefs face a pass rush that could potentially be more dangerous than the Texans.

With defensive end DeMarcus Ware and outside linebacker Von Miller, the Broncos can bring pressure from both edges and that's going to put the spotlight again on tackles Donald Stephenson, Jah Reid and/or Eric Fisher.

Ware comes into the game with 128 career sacks in 158 games, with 34 forced fumbles. Miller has played 57 games with the Broncos, with 49 sacks and 12 forced fumbles. With 177 sacks coming off the left and right, that's going to be quite a chore for the blockers on both sides.

A Chiefs victory will come only if they can allow Smith time to throw, especially downfield.

Are people getting ahead of the curve with regard to Chiefs? from ESPN

Certainly the victory should have earned the Chiefs some respect. They went on the road and controlled a game against an opponent that is better than it showed on Sunday.

But seven spots for a win against the Texans, who reside this week at No. 26 in the ESPN rankings? Sounds like a huge move for a win against a team the voters don't hold in high regard.

Lucky seven? Chiefs want to end Broncos' recent series dominance from FOX Sports

Still, the postgame focus was on Manning, whose 175 passing yards marked the third time in six games he was held to fewer than 200. The five-time NFL MVP hasn't engineered a touchdown in 21 drives counting the preseason.

"Everybody's looking for these summaries of our offense and our team after Week 1. I just don't think you're able to do that," Manning said. "We're a work in progress."

Manning passed for 179 yards at Kansas City on Nov. 30, but threw two touchdowns and the Broncos rushed for 214 yards in a 29-16 victory that extended their series winning streak to six. Denver, winner of four straight at Arrowhead, is 17-1 against division opponents since Manning's arrival in 2012.

Broncos And Chiefs Head Into Thursday Night Coming Off Big Wins from CBS Denver

Who Will Win the Game?

The Kansas City Chiefs proved on Sunday that they are good enough to win a lot of games this season. However, the Denver Broncos are never a team to overlook. With Peyton Manning running the offense, the Broncos will win enough games to reach the playoffs once again. The Chiefs want to knock the Broncos from the top of the AFC West, a division the Broncos have won every year since 2011. Winning this year could go a long way in achieving that goal, but until their offense proves it is strong enough to keep up with Denver, the Broncos have the edge here.

Andy Reid says take Thurs. off from work: Get your permission slip here from KMBC

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid is giving you permission to take the day off from work on Thursday so you can tailgate and be at Arrowhead for Thursday night's big game.

6 things game tape shows about J.J. Watt from The Charlotte Observer

As great as he is, Watt can be beaten. And sometimes, he does it to himself.

Watt occasionally over-pursues a quarterback, and offensive coordinators can take advantage.

The Chiefs did, twice.

On one play, K.C. fooled Watt into thinking he'd beaten the tackle by allowing him to get the edge, but gained yardage on a draw play to Knile Davis to get the first down.

On another occasion, Smith stepped up into the pocket as Watt went flying by him. That left a gaping hole on the right side of the Texans' line, and Smith was able to slide his feet and step into a throw cleanly.

NFL sack record in sight for Justin Houston, draft classmates from USA Today

There's the way Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill slipped through his grasp last September. Or how he and Kansas City Chiefs teammate Tamba Hali collided just before Houston could get a hand on Oakland quarterback Derek Carr in November. And when he sacked Russell Wilson and forced a fumble in a game against the Seattle Seahawks, only to have it wiped away because of a defensive penalty away from the play.

Those were the moments that kept a great season from becoming historic; the moments he must somehow avoid this season as he prepares to make another run at Michael Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5, set in 2001.

"You can't give up anything," Houston told USA TODAY Sports. "Every chance you get, you better make the best out of that opportunity it, take advantage."

Peyton Manning eager for offensive redo in Kansas City from The Denver Post

Against the Chiefs, the challenge will be as daunting. Last season, Kansas City held opponents to 330.5 yards per game (seventh fewest in the league) and recorded 46 sacks (fifth most), 22 of them from edge rusher Justin Houston.

In six career games at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, Manning has a 59.9 completion percentage and has averaged 302.2 yards and 2.8 touchdowns per game. History, as it has been many times, is on Manning's side. The Broncos' schedule, however, is not.

C.J. Anderson can't wait to shut up critics of the Broncos' offense from The Denver Post

They'll face another talented front led by two of the NFL's best edge rushers for the second consecutive week. Kansas City limited Houston to 98 rushing yards Sunday. And there will be a raucous crowd at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs home opener Thursday.

Anderson says he isn't worried. He loves playing at Arrowhead Stadium.

And why wouldn't he? The last time he was there he rushed for a career-high 168 yards in his third career start, breaking tackles and making guys miss.

That night a lot of Chiefs fans learned the name C.J. Anderson. This time, he won't be a surprise.

Andy Reid: Broncos' offense will 'be fine; we just don't want it this week' from The Denver Post

Kansas City, like Baltimore, has a stout front-seven. Outside linebacker Justin Houston had 22 sacks last season, falling one sack short of breaking the NFL single-season sack record. And the Chiefs had five sacks Sunday against Houston.

Still, the Chiefs are sure they'll face a more cohesive Broncos offense. And Reid shrugged off a Manning-Gary Kubiak system problem.

"(Broncos coach) Gary's (Kubiak) an expert at this. You play to your players strengths," Reid said.

Broncos' pass rushers want to keep Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith in sight from ESPN

"That's a big concern of him being able to scramble with the football and make plays, too," Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. "Those guys that can scramble can give you problems because you've got four guys rushing, basically, and there's still more gaps than there are players rushing. Those kinds of quarterbacks can sneak out of there on you, so you have to be real alert."

Because the Broncos do plenty of man coverages in the secondary -- "I don't think anybody will play more man than us,'' is how cornerback Chris Harris Jr. put it -- that often means the players in the secondary have their backs turned to the quarterback as they match up on receivers down the field.

That means if the quarterback escapes, there is often some room to run before help arrives.

Chiefs rank among least valuable NFL teams, still bring in millions from The Kansas City Business Journal

On Monday, Forbes published its annual report on the business of football and its rankings of how the league's teams stack up in financial terms. The Chiefs, valued at $1.53 billion, ranked 21st of 32 teams.

According to Forbes, the value of the franchise has risen by 39 percent since last year, ranking 16th for increase in value. Its annual revenue of $307 million ranks No. 23, and operating income ranks No. 22. The Chiefs are among the least debt-laden teams, with only 5 percent of valuation coming from debt. The team is fifth overall in the debt metric.

Randall the Handle analyzes Week 1 around the NFL from The Toronto Sun

Kansas City came out swinging in its win over the Texans and as result, the Chiefs opened as a slight 2½-point choice over the Broncos in Thursday night's divisional tussle. However, Denver's pedestrian win over Baltimore has seen the marketplace voice some concerns with Peyton Manning's offence and KC has gone to the all-important -3 now with pressure being put on the number. A hook may be forthcoming.

Fantasy Football: Defenses to stream in Week 2 from The Washington Post

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos

This isn't betting n the Chiefs so much as it is capitalizing on Manning's struggles.

The 39-year-old quarterback completed 24 of 40 passes for just 175 yards and tossed an interception that was returned for a touchdown. He was hit hard and often, leading to four sacks, more than Denver has allowed in a game since December 2013.

Chief's linebacker Justin Houston had one sack, five hurries, two tackles and three run stops behind the line of scrimmage on Sunday, making the day even harder for Manning and the Broncos.

Wednesday NFL preview: Ravens move on without Terrell Suggs from ESPN

Denver Broncos: Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (ankle/toe) was a limited participant in Tuesday night's practice but is expected to play Thursday against the Chiefs. And while he is the unquestioned No. 1 back at the moment, do not be surprised if the Broncos go with a "hot hand" approach on occasion and give Ronnie Hillman a cluster of carries. The Broncos liked what they saw from Hillman on the 17-play, 81-yard field goal drive to close out the win over the Ravens. -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs: One thing the Chiefs need Thursday night against the Broncos is a fast start. They've scored first just twice during their six-game losing streak against Denver. Getting the lead would allow the Chiefs to play the game on their terms. An early 14-0 lead was a big factor in last week's win over Houston. -- Adam Teicher

Omaha park's new baseball field will be named after Kerrie Orozco from The Kearney Hub

Stothert and Kansas City Chiefs officials talked about the field at a press conference Monday to promote the NFL team's promotional plans this week in Omaha.

As part of those efforts, flags that read "This is Chiefs Kingdom" will be sold at more than 30 locations, including Omaha and Council Bluffs Hy-Vee Supermarkets, Hy-Vee gas stations and City of Omaha community centers. A minimum donation of $5 is encouraged for fans wishing to obtain the flags.

Net proceeds from the sale of those flags will benefit the Omaha Parks Foundation, which has earmarked the money for Kerrie Orozco Field.

PEPSI ROOKIE OF THE WEEK from NFL.com

The Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota, Kansas City Chiefs' Marcus Peters, Buffalo Bills' Ronald Darby, San Diego Chargers' Kyle Emanuel and Detroit Lions' Ameer Abdullah were standout rookies during Week 1. Read up on this week's nominees and then cast your vote for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week.

Broncos enter the 'echo chamber' to prepare for Chiefs from Mile High Report

See that brand-spanking-new practice facility the Broncos built a year ago? It isn't just being used to shelter the Broncos from unpleasant weather. It's doubling as an "echo chamber," Fogg relayed, based on Gary Kubiak's comments Tuesday.

"We're going to make it as loud as we can," Kubiak said of practice Tuesday, "and it gets very loud in there. So it'll be good work for us."

Goodman talked about how the Broncos have a rookie left tackle and center in that crowd - Arrowhead will be fired up for their home opener, so getting Matt Paradis and Ty Sambrailo plenty of reps in a loud environment will be critical to the Broncos' chances of winning on Thursday.

Bills to Super Bowl! Winston a bust! And other overreactions from The Concord Monitor

Overreaction: Travis Kelce is the next Tony Gonzalez. Kelce had six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in Kansas City's 27-20 win at Houston.

Appropriate reaction: Kelce is a top tight end a notch below Rob Gronkowski in fantasy leagues, but don't compare him to a 14-time Pro Bowl player like Gonzalez.

Overreaction: Peyton Manning is finished. Manning had just 175 yards passing, no TDs and an interception that was returned for a score in Denver's 19-13 win against Baltimore.

Appropriate reaction: The 39-year-old Manning is nearing the end, but he threw for 4,727 yards and 39 TDs last season, and he's still got something left.

Brandon Marshall has a screw loose from 9News.com

"The job of the screw is done. It was supposed to keep the joint together until the ligaments healed so it did that," said Marshall who had Lisfranc surgery in March. "(The screw) broke so I guess there's no use for it, but it's still a foreign object in my body, and my body is responding to it i'm sure and that's why I'm a little sore."

It's something Marshall will have to deal with, surgery to remove the broken screw would cost him 8 weeks.

Cairo Santos : "See you in a position to be champions" from The Playoffs [translated from the original Portuguese]

The Playoffs - After the rookie season and he stabilized the Chiefs. What are your expectations now as segundoanista ?

Cairo Santos - The expectation is the best possible, I am eager to do more. I want to be among the top ten position this season and will do everything for this to happen there at the end. I've always been very dedicated, and follow well in training , battling enough to reach my goals and lead the Chiefs to the playoffs.