KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After losing three straight to open the season, the Denver Broncos are starting to hit their stride, especially on offense.
Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Denver's offense is "clicking" after watching the Broncos take down the Patriots last Sunday and will need to play well against Drew Lock and company.
“They look pretty smooth and kinda clicking on all cylinders this past game against New England," Spagnuolo said. "They got the quarterback back, the tight end back, it looks like the running back's back. ... My guess is they are pretty confident right now, so were going to see a pretty good football team.”
Lock, a Lee's Summit native and former University of Missouri star, returned last week after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs' defense has been hit with another wave of injuries, leaving Kansas City thin at defensive end.
Taco Charlton (knee) and Alex Okafor (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, while rookie Mike Danna remains on injured reserve.
The reigning Super Bowl champs should be confident too entering the matchup in Denver, a team Kansas City has beaten nine consecutive times since a September 2015 loss. But it won't be easy.
“They’ve got to feel like they’ve got all their tools and weapons back and were gonna prepare for that," Spagnuolo said.
Broncos running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Noah Fant returned to practice this week for Denver after missing the win at New England.
With a healthy offense and a chip on the shoulder, the Chiefs know all too well they head to Mile High City with a target on their backs.
“I think Patrick Mahomes said it best, I remember him saying, 'Hey guys, were gonna get everybody's best and that’s what happens when you have some success,' so we expect that every week," Spagnuolo said. "I trust in the defensive guys that there will be no letdowns, but this is a good offense were going to face."
The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs, Peyton Manning was the quarterback and Lock was a freshman at Mizzou, who wouldn't make his first collegiate start for two weeks.
