Impressive Chiefs should gallop past Broncos

Sky Sports Action, 1.15am Monday night

Kansas City have enhanced their Super Bowl credentials with every performance in the first three weeks of the NFL and should be in great spirits as they travel to Denver.

Even though the campaign is in its infancy, the Chiefs already have a firm grip on the AFC West and they will fancy their chances of tightening it in Colorado.

Under the direction of big-armed quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they have chalked up a whopping 39.3 points per game against the Chargers, Steelers and 49ers, but what is particularly impressive is that they have turned the ball over just once.

That's the sort of statistic upon which championship seasons can be built.

The Chiefs have won on their last three visits to Mile High and have covered the handicap in 11 of their last 12 divisional matches. They are facing a Broncos side who have miserable form in that respect.

Royce Freeman of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdownCredit: Scott Taetsch

Denver have covered the handicap in just two of their last 15 games and while the national audience can often provoke home underdogs into producing inspired performances, a four-point start looks insufficient for Denver against such a dominant offence.

The Broncos have claimed victories in two of their three games but they haven't beaten much.

Victories over Seattle and Oakland were followed by a loss to Baltimore and this is a game where they could be found out, especially as they are struggling to force turnovers and are ranked 21st in passing yards conceded.

Their defence, led by sack king Von Miller, will have to be at the top of their game if the Broncos are to stand a chance, but they had particular issues dealing with tight ends in their opening two games.

Seattle's Will Dissly and Oakland's Jared Cook enjoyed productive games against Denver and the Cheifs have one of the best players in that position in man mountain Travis Kelce.

Kelce has been Mahomes's favourite target so far - receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins are not far behind - and the tight end is a generous odds-against price to add to his tally of two touchdowns.

Recommendation
T Kelce to score a touchdown
2pts 5-4 Sky Bet

The lowdown
Venue Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 22C
Vegas handicap Kansas City -4
Vegas points line 54.5

Team news
Kansas City
Safety Eric Berry is doubtful with a heel injury.

Denver
Tight end Jake Butt is out with a knee injury. Cornerback Tramaine Brock is doubtful with a thigh problem while linebacker Brandon Marshall is rated questionable with a knee issue.

Key stat
Kansas City have covered the handicap in 11 of their last 12 games against AFC West opponents.

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