The Denver Broncos know about Patrick Mahomes' injury, but they're not falling for that storyline.
The Denver Broncos will be playing against a supposedly compromised version of quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Monday night, but they’re not buying into the storyline that that’s going to make their task of getting a win at Arrowhead against the Kansas City Chiefs any easier.
“Coming off an injury like that is pretty tough, but I don’t expect anything less from him than to be himself,” said cornerback Pat Surtain II when he talked about Mahomes’ knee issues this week in a piece by Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “It’s still Patrick Mahomes, at the end of the day.”
Coach Sean Payton agrees. It took all the Broncos had to finally beat the Chiefs in their first meeting even though Kansas City was struggling, and he’s taking nothing for granted.
“I think we’re looking at it and expecting someone who’s 100 percent, someone who’s moving well based on what limited footage you get,” Payton said. “He’s going to be one of those guys that threatens you not only in the pocket but out of the pocket. So our approach has been to pay close attention to what we’ve seen historically film-wise, how we defend not only him, but their team.”
Payton is probably hedging at least a little here. The Chiefs will have undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle, and right tackle Jaylon Moore hasn’t exactly been stout in preseason games, either.
But the Broncos will have to deal with new Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, who has given them fits in the past.
“He’s an elite back in this league,” said linebacker Alex Singleton said. “He really takes the ball anywhere on the field on any given play. You can’t just, like on a stretch play, set the front side. You’ve really got to have containment on the backside — and really all over. It really forces all 11 guys on the defense to be able to tackle him.”
Payton also knows how important it will be for the Broncos to score points in this one, and there are some unknowns there as well. The Chiefs drafted to improve their defense, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will undoubtedly use the new players to present some unfamiliar looks.
“Steve has always done a great job disguising looks, giving you zone-pressure looks,” Payton said. “He’s not afraid to play zero (coverage). You’re going to have to have a real good protection plan and be disciplined in your approach, especially when you’re facing that defense on the road with the noise.”
