Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/17

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

According to Pro Football Focus, whose grades are subjective, three of the Broncos starters along the OL had negative grades last week.

If the Chiefs are going to win on Sunday, then they'll need to follow the recipe the Ravens, and every team that has ever beaten an elite quarterback, has followed—pressure.

If the Chiefs defensive front seven can win the battle up front, they should be able to find success on Thursday night.

Chiefs vs. Broncos: Make Sure You're Here Early! from The Mothership

4. Everyone Loves Giveaways

At 4:00 p.m. a "Prize Team" will be randomly giving away special prizes and experiences to fans in the parking lots including pregame sideline passes, postgame photo experiences and autographed memorabilia.

5. NFL Network Fan Zone

Visit the NFL Network Fan Zone near the Sprint Spiral where the network will be taking live shots of the crowd for their broadcast from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Coming to the Game on Thursday? Here's What You Need to Know from The Mothership

On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos for a 7:25 p.m. kickoff on CBS's Thursday Night Football to open the club's 2015 home slate. As the first regular season home game of the year, the Chiefs are offering fans a number of reminders and benefits for those coming to Arrowhead.

Carrying on a Primetime Tradition

Chiefs fans will once again have a prominent role in the primetime gameday atmosphere for Thursday Night Football. In what has become an Arrowhead Stadium national primetime game tradition, all fans will be asked to join in the singing of the National Anthem. This game's National Anthem, led by the Kansas City Symphony, will include a field- size American flag held by Chiefs Season Ticket Members.

Chiefs vs. Broncos: How to Watch and Listen from The Mothership

TV Coverage

CBS (KCTV5 Local)

NFL Netowrk

Play-by-Play: Jim Nantz

Color Analyst: Phil Simms

Sideline: Tracy Wolfson

Chiefs Rookie OL Mitch Morse's Unique Ability Helping Offense from The Mothership

When the Kansas City Chiefs offense was busy throwing quick passes to Jamaal Charles and company last week against the Houston Texans, it was not often hard to find big ol' No. 61 running down the field and leading that charge.

That, of course, would be the Chiefs second-round pick out of Missouri, center Mitch Morse, who enjoyed his first NFL start last week in the Chiefs 27-20 win in the opener.

"It was definitely crazy out there for the first few plays," Morse said on Tuesday, "but I think the most nerve-racking part of football is when we leave the locker room through the national anthem and until that first play.

"Once you get that first play going, you forget the crowd, forget everything that's going on and just kind of focus. You've practiced it a hundred times and now it's just time to roll."

Chiefs vs. Broncos: Colquitt Brothers Highlight Denver Game Connections from The Mothership

Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt and Broncos P Britton Colquitt are the sons of Craig Colquitt, a former Tennessee walk-on-turned-third-round draft pick by Pittsburgh. Craig won two Super Bowls with the Steelers in the years following— one ring to give to each of his sons.

Dustin and Britton both punted at the University of Tennessee, the same school where Craig walked on and became a starting punter.

Every year, the two brothers meet on each's respective field to renew the conference rivalry and the sibling rivalry, all while mom and dad watch from the stands, sporting half Chiefs, half Broncos jerseys.

Chiefs Hold Luncheon for Ronald McDonald House Families in Honor of Red Thursday from The Mothership

The tradition of "Red Friday," being celebrated this year as "Red Thursday," was started by Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt more than two decades ago to both celebrate the start of the Chiefs season and to raise funds for local charities. This year's proceeds will again benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHCKC).

"There's a lot going on this week," said John McGraw, Chiefs Ambassador and former Chiefs safety. "We're getting ready for the season home opener but then also bringing awareness to this partnership that the Chiefs have had for a long time with the Ronald McDonald House, and exposing a lot of the great work they're doing here."

Chiefs Fans Select New Touchdown Celebration Song for Arrowhead Stadium from The Mothership

"First and foremost, it is an honor to even be considered for this opportunity. To then have the Chiefs fans vote for "Hey, Kansas City!" to be the new touchdown song is unimaginable," George said. "I am overwhelmed and humbled by the endorsement of the great fans who voted for the song and I am extremely appreciative of their support!"

While switching to a new touchdown song is a shift from what many in Chiefs Kingdom have come to enjoy over the years, with the help of the local songwriter, David George, the new touchdown song will include Chiefs fans' beloved "You, You, You" fan chant.

David George, the Artist Behind the New Chiefs Touchdown Song, is a Long-Time Chiefs Fan from The Mothership

George was happy to oblige.

"It's all about the fans," he said. "When it became the possibility that this was going to happen, I started talking with the band about how to incorporate this and it just fits right over the drumbeat just like the old song did and it seemed like second nature to put it right in there."

When asked which player he believes will score the first ever touchdown incorporating the new song, George predicted it would be tight end Travis Kelce, who scored 2 of them in Week 1 against the Houston Texans.

If that were the case, odds are he would have a worthy approach to commemorating the new sound.

Notebook: Chiefs' revamped OL ready for second test Thursday night from Chiefs Digest

"I think as a whole offensive unit, we played real well," Morse said. "The offensive line came out and just executed the game plan. We took it one play at a time and we came out there and had a really good first game."

Outside of Texan defensive end J.J Watt's nine tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hits, the Chiefs' offensive line held its own.

"That's what happens when you have good players, good coaches and good play calls," Duvernay-Tardif said. "We had a lot of plays where it was easy for us to play fast and I think that helped us as a young o-lineman to a new season to play where you don't have to think too much.

"You just go out there and be aggressive, and then because you're aggressive, it slowed the defense down and you get into their head. Now you can get into more complicated stuff and I think the play calling was pretty good, too. I think everybody did their job."

For Chiefs, all 53 players should be available to play vs. Broncos from ESPN

If Eric Fisher doesn't start at right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium, it's a coaching decision and not an injury situation.

The Chiefs issued their final injury report of the week and all 14 players on the list, including Fisher, are likely to be available to play against the Broncos.

So Fisher's sprained ankle is well enough to allow him to play.

Chiefs' goal of AFC West supremacy still goes through Peyton Manning from Chiefs Digest

While Manning is a thorn in the Chiefs' side, the 39-year-old signal caller prefers to not harp on the winning streak or accomplishments.

"I don't know if it's really worth trying to explain," Manning said during Tuesday's conference call with Chiefs beat writers. "Those games are in the past. Here we are, a new season, and that's kind of what I'm thinking about the most - playing a good team at home that's coming off a big win and beat what I think is a really good Houston team at their place."

The Chiefs (1-0) are fresh off a 27-20 road win over the Houston Texans and look to snap Manning's string of success Thursday night when the Broncos (1-0) visit Arrowhead Stadium.

And Manning isn't taking the Chiefs lightly.

Imagine what win against Broncos would do for Chiefs' division title hopes from ESPN

That's according to ESPN's Football Power Index projections. The Chiefs have a 57.8 percent chance to make the playoffs (up from 42.5), a 35.4 percent chance to win the AFC West (up from 24.3) and a 4.0 percent chance to win the Super Bowl (up from 1.6).

The Chiefs' projected win total also jumped from 8.4 to 9.5.

Imagine what those numbers would do if they beat their division rivals the Denver Broncos on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Game Plan: How the Chiefs can down the Broncos from Chiefs Digest

2. Keep your heels six off: Manning thrives on pick routes against press man coverage. He also loves to run endless amounts of blitz beaters with fades, screens, digs and out routes.

The Ravens did a good job of forcing Manning to throw to their preferred spots by taking away his hot routes and dedicated coverage to where he wanted to throw. Jimmy Smith and the Ravens defense were able to bait Manning into a pick-six when they passed off routes in the middle of a corner blitz. Manning went for the out route based on the spot the corner vacated, leading to the interception.

Kansas City Chiefs can survive without TDs from their receivers from ESPN

If the Chiefs don't get any or many touchdown catches from Maclin, Albert Wilson or any of their other wide receivers, it doesn't kill their chances of beating the Denver Broncos on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, winning the AFC West or advancing in the playoffs.

It didn't hurt them in Houston. The Chiefs got two touchdown catches from tight end Travis Kelce and one from running back Jamaal Charles as they scored 27 points for the first time in a road game since a win in Miami last September.

And that's exactly why the Chiefs can survive without big touchdown numbers from Maclin and the other receivers.

Chiefs rookie C Mitch Morse explains college pregame ritual of throwing up from Chiefs Digest

"Pinkel congratulates Chiefs rookie center Mitch Morse on his first start, reminds us he puked before every game at Mizzou," Dave Matter of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweeted.

Matter's tweet prompted Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel, a Missouri alumnus, to reply directly to Matter, "(Morse) puked at Thursday practice too! Didn't know it was his thing..."

The tweets spread across the social media platform, and Morse chuckled when asked Tuesday about his college ritual.

Tackle record would validate Derrick Johnson's place among Chiefs greats from ESPN

"You knew how much athleticism he had," Spani said of Johnson, the Chiefs' first-round draft pick in 2005. "It was good to see him grow as a football player. He has just gotten better and better. Obviously he had a nose for tackling and he could run, two good things. Now he's put it all (together) and become professional.

"He had a lot of speed and athleticism already. He took care of his body and then on the professional side of it, he studied. So the guy should have a lot of tackles when it's all said and done."

Kansas City Chiefs need to make statement vs. Denver Broncos from NFL.com

It would be easy to make this all about Manning right now (a dynamic that will be discussed later in this space). Instead, this is more about what the Chiefs have been trying to achieve during the Andy Reid era -- and how often the Broncos have knocked them back into submissiveness.

"I don't think they necessarily get in our head," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. "Certainly these guys are the division champs since we've all been here together. ... We've gone in (and) two times having fourth-and-goal and the chance to win the game and didn't get it done. We talk about what we want to do in winning the division and going to the playoffs. And it starts with your division."

Smith added that this contest wasn't a must-win game -- but it's hard to view it as anything other than that.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs Matchup from The New York Times

Denver has owned the A.F.C. West in recent years and has won six in a row against Kansas City, but the Broncos look vulnerable ahead of this matchup. Do not be surprised, of course, if Manning comes out and throws for 400 yards and five touchdowns. After all, reports of his football demise have been previously exaggerated.

Pick: Chiefs

For whatever reason, Manning has almost always had Chiefs' number from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

In some ways, that's a blessing. While the Broncos are coming off a physical win against Baltimore, and Kansas City opened on the road successfully against Houston, both teams are still fresh, better able to deal with the physical toll of a quick turnaround than they might be later in the season.

Here are some other story lines for Broncos-Chiefs:

What to watch for during Broncos-Chiefs TNF game from NFL.com

2. While Manning has declined, it's fair to wonder if new coordinator Wade Phillips' defense is now pushing Seattle as the NFL's most stifling. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware terrorized Baltimore's offense line last week. Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan made Justin Forsett's life miserable. Aqib Talib and Chris Harris smothered the Ravens' wide receivers. This unit was the most impressive we saw in any Week 1 game.

3. The Chiefs' defense isn't far behind. Justin Houston has been the league's most disruptive pass rusher over the past two years, and three-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Derrick Johnson was a hit in his first start since last September. Star safety Eric Berry also had a promising return from Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Early AFC West showdown: Broncos at Chiefs from The Associated Press via The Bellingham Herald

The Chiefs (No. 9, AP Pro32) are 3-point favorites, yet another change to recent trends in this AFC West series, which dates back to the AFL when the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans.

"I think for us the one thing is win the division," Smith said. "That's the focus, right? ... We've got a chance against the division champions at our place, so it starts with this week."

Indeed it does.

CHIEFS, 24-23

Chiefs' Justin Houston gears up for another run at NFL sack record from CBS Sports

Against the Broncos on Thursday, expect Houston to get after Peyton Manning. The Broncos offensive line struggled mightily on Sunday against the Ravens, as Manning got sacked four times, which means Houston is probably feasting his eyes on the Broncos' line. Manning also found himself on the injury report this week, as he was listed with a back injury.

Something tells me Manning will be keeping an eye on Houston. Just like Houston is keeping an eye on that coveted record.

Broncos' Wade Phillips keeps his cool at roast of Jamaal Charles from The Denver Post

Wade Phillips knew better.

He participated in the Jamaal Charles Roast in Port Arthur, Texas, and, before speaking in June, he surveyed the room and considered the future.

He poked a little fun at Chiefs coach Andy Reid, but spared Charles...

...He refused to provide any extra motivation for the star running back. Charles is looking to rebound against Denver after playing a nondescript role in two losses last season, gaining 71 yards on 17 carries.

"Jamaal's a complete player. He's from my home area. I tried to be nice (at the roast) cause he's a heck of a player," Phillips said. "He's a dual threat. You can stop him running with it — like last week they stopped him pretty well — but he caught (five) passes. He can do both really well. We have to have two guys watching him all the time."

Mother of former Mizzou player, Broncos lineman torn between Chiefs and Broncos from KC TV5

The Denver Broncos made a former University of Missouri SEC Defensive Player of the Year their top draft pick and on Thursday Shane Ray is coming home.

His mother is perhaps the biggest Kansas City Chiefs fan in the city, but Sabrina Johnson will be wearing a Broncos Jersey with Chiefs pride inside.

Students can learn art lessons at Arrowhead Stadium from KCTV5

"A lot of people who don't feel like they have the (knowledge) to go to the Nelson (Nelson-Atkins Museum) can come here and experience art and not feel intimidated," said Leah Palmer, a 2015 Chiefs art program fellow.

Palmer and Matthew Reeves are University of Missouri-Kansas City graduate students serving in a fellowship with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"The beauty of artwork is that it's a personal experience. and so you can have a strong reaction. It doesn't matter if nobody else shares that with you, that's still your reaction and it's a totally valid way to think about it," Reeves said.

Fantasy Football Week 2: Rankings and Matchup Analysis from The New York Times

Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) vs. Kansas City — The Chiefs opened the season allowing the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position, including six receptions and 106 yards to Houston's WR2 veteran, Nate Washington, and 98 yards and two scores to DeAndre Hopkins. Despite all the off-season talk that Sanders would have a diminishing role in Gary Kubiak's offense, the quarterback may have other ideas: Sanders saw 12 targets in his first game, tied for the fourth most among receivers.

Klee: Get off Peyton Manning's back from The Colorado Springs Gazette

He was too good for too long, and now we're here.

"I think what's happened in the past is kind of irrelevant, in my opinion," Manning said Tuesday in front of his locker at Broncos headquarters.

Sorry, can't agree. What Manning did in the past is exactly why we're focused on what he'snot doing, instead of what the Broncos are doing. He's not throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns, so we're not talking about a defense that gives the Broncos their best chance to win a Super Bowl since he arrived in our fine state.

He set the bar too high. He bought us all diamond earrings for our first Valentine's Day. He handed over the keys to our first car, and it wasn't a clunker. He introduced canned food, and now the family dog won't eat the dry stuff.

Peyton Manning's Rough Start Is (Sort Of) Cause For Concern from The Indy Channel

Even though the Broncos won, Manning completed just sixty percent of his passes for 175 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He's failed to throw a touchdown in three of his last five regular season starts.

Before that, Manning tossed at least one score in 51 consecutive regular season match ups.

"Mentally, he's there. Physically, he's washed," Jemele Hill said on ESPN's 'Him & Hers.'

J.J. Watt's mom called twice to check on him after his helmet-free sack from ESPN

"I put more air into the helmet now," Watt said. "Hopefully 330-pound men won't try to rip it off again. It comes off easy if they try."

Though Watt is on the receiving end of many cheap shots during games, he did not consider this one of them. The Kansas City Chiefs' Jah Reid was called for illegal use of hands, a penalty the Texans declined, but Watt considered the contact incidental.

"Maybe I got a little low and his hands got high," Watt said. "I don't think there was anything wrong with that play."

Thursday Night Football: Denver at Kansas City from The Omaha World-Herald

Quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos are still adjusting to coach Gary Kubiak's run-oriented attack. Ol' No. 18 is bound to find the end zone soon.

Prediction: Denver 24-20

The Microsoft engine that picks NFL games crushed Week 1 — here are its picks for Week 2 from Business Insider

Here are Cortana's Week 2 picks, as of Wednesday morning. Vegas favorites (with point spreads) are in parentheses. We'll update these throughout the week if they change, and look out for our official picks later in the week!

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs — Chiefs win, 56.6% chance. (Chiefs -3)

Thursday Night NFL Preview: Broncos at Chiefs from Lindy's Sports

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Broncos scrap to find big plays, but the Chiefs' defense shows more bite in a slow-paced game of keep-away.

*Our pick: Chiefs 23-20

NFL Picks Week 2: Tony Romo, Cowboys Aim To Keep Momentum Vs. Eagles from NESN

Thursday, Sept. 17 Denver Broncos (1-0) at (-3) Kansas City Chiefs (1-0), 8:25 p.m. ET

Ricky: Chiefs. The Broncos are 11-1 against the spread over the last four seasons in divisional road games. But this is 2015 and Peyton Manning's arm is a Ramen noodle. I like Denver's defense, but Kansas City's D will — to steal a phrase from "Madden 96" — flatten Manning like a pancake.

Mike: Chiefs. Road teams lost three of the first four Thursday night games last season by an average of 31 points. The only home team to lose on Thursday night in that stretch was the Redskins because they're the Redskins.

Ben: Broncos. With two strong defenses, I give the nod to the team with the quarterback more likely to make plays given limited preparation in the short week. That is all.

Canadian lineman looks to build on strong NFL start from SportsNet

Just four years ago Laurent Duvernay-Tardif made a position switch from defensive to offensive line for the McGill Redmen. Last Sunday he was starting up front for the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener, paving the way for Jamaal Charles and protecting Alex Smith from getting walloped by J.J. Watt or Vince Wilfork.

That 2011 decision to play on the other side of the football has led to an improbable journey for Duvernay-Tardif. The man more affectionately known as "Larry" quickly developed into one of the best blockers in Canadian university football. He was a two-time All-Canadian and won the J.P. Metras trophy as the most outstanding down lineman in CIS football after his senior season in 2013.