NFL Week 13 Betting – AFC West Leading-Denver Travels to K.C.

Denver Broncos (-2, 49.5 o/u) at Kansas City Chiefs

One of the central truths in football is that running the ball sets up the passing game. For proof of that axiom, look no further than the Denver Broncos (8-3, 2-3 away). When running backs Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman suffered injuries, the entire offense – including the prolific passing game led by Peyton Manning – suffered.

That is, until C.J. Anderson arrived on the scene. The Cal product has averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 157 total yards per game over the last three contests. His 167  yard rushing performance against Miami last weekend allowed quarterback Peyton Manning to be, well, Peyton Manning. The future Hall-of-Famer threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns in a 39-36 comeback win.

Said Broncos center Will Montgomery, “Obviously, we would rather be running it than passing it, but we have a guy that can pass it pretty good. So, to be effective in the long run we need to do both, and we can do both.”

With tight end Julius Thomas questionable again, Manning will need a well-balanced attack to beat the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4, 4-1 home) at Arrowhead Stadium tonight. The Andy Reid-led squad is the best in the NFL against the pass, allowing only 198.9 yards per game through the air.

The Chiefs haven’t allowed a 300-yard passer in 13 straight. Manning, though, has thrown for 300+ yards in six of his last nine games.

The Broncos will be leaning on the run game to open things up for Manning. Kansas City has given up more than 380 rushing yards, combined, in its last two contests. Their recent struggles have dropped them to 26th in the NFL against the run.

Said Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali, “We weren’t playing our gaps. It’s like a high school football game.”

Last weekend, the Chiefs dropped a game to the formerly winless Raiders, failing to cover as 7.5-point favorites. The win was costly, as it dropped K.C. one game back of Denver in the AFC West. A win on Sunday would move the Chiefs back into a tie for the division lead, while a loss would all but end their hopes at a division title.

As a result, K.C. should come out motivated. But, with the Broncos back at full steam, taking Denver and laying the points (-2) makes the most sense.

(Photo credit: Jeffrey Beal (flickr) “Peyton Manning” [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/]. Photo has been cropped.)