Broncos Must Pass Protect Better vs. Chiefs

On Sunday night, all eyes will be focused on the AFC West when the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle for first place in the division.

The Broncos trail the undefeated Chiefs by one game in the division and can tie the Chiefs with a win on Sunday. However, that will not be possible unless the Broncos offensive line can better protect their quarterback Peyton Manning.

There is nothing more important than keeping the superstar quarterback healthy, happy and surrounded in the pocket by his lineman.

As the pressure and sacks have increased of late, the 37-year old has had to sit out some practices with problems with his ankles.

On Wednesday, reporters asked Manning what more he could do to cut down on the hits he has taken during the last four games. Manning said he was open to their suggestions, but insisted it was all part of the game.

One of his favorite targets, Demaryius Thomas, said the entire team wants Manning under center and knows how important it is to take good care of him.

Manning on the injury report for Denver has a sore right ankle. Manning over his past three games has lost fumbles when being sacked. The deluge started when the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars decided to pressure Manning with blitzes and stunts and not let him dissect the secondary.

Against Jacksonville, Manning suffered two ankle sprains and the next week in a loss to Indianapolis he was hit a few more times including a Robert Mathias low hit on a sack.

Manning sat out of practice the following week before defeating the Washington Redskins. Manning took some more hits from the Redskins defense.

Last weekend against San Diego, Manning suffered two more low hits, while re-aggravating his ankle sprain.

With his right ankle sprain, it means he cannot push off his most important foot while throwing the ball. Manning due to his multiple neck surgeries uses a great deal of lower body strength to pass and that is weakened from his ankle injury.

In Denver’s first half dozen games this season, Manning was only hit or pressured 12% of the time he dropped back to pass. However, over the past three games that has increased to 23%.

This season that amounts to a total of 16% of the time he has been hit or pressured when dropping back to pass. Last season it was 14% over the entire season and 11% back in 2010, his last year with Indianapolis prior to his surgeries.

Jack Del Rio the team’s interim coach said the team must improve on its pass protection. He stressed that was especially important when facing the Chiefs this weekend.

Nevertheless, Manning has been able to post some ridiculously high numbers. He has 33 passes for touchdowns, which is more than every other NFL team has scored.

He has 3,249 yards passing in his first nine games, which is more than any other quarterback in the history of the league.

With a pass-rushing defense that Kansas City possesses, the Denver offense will have to keep a running back in the pocket and at times a tight end to help with pass blocking.

This game should be a great battle. I like the Broncos to win straight up.