Kenneth Walker Concerns & Denver's Home-Field Edge

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Kenneth Walker’s Usage, Denver’s Home Edge and Kansas City’s Missed Opportunities

Kenneth Walker’s last two games against elite defenses did not go well, creating concern about his matchup with Kansas City. Until the final two minutes, Walker had only 13 carries. The offense continued to pass despite incompletions, three-and-outs and repeated opportunities for Denver to regain possession.

Walker should have been the focus from the beginning, especially while playing with a second-half lead. Emmett Johnson is well-liked and viewed as a good complementary back, but he is not Walker.

Denver’s performance at home was another major takeaway. The team remains undefeated at home and against the spread, repeatedly finding ways to come back and win at Mile High. At this point, the approach is simple: take Denver at home or stay away rather than fading them.

Backing Denver in the first half is more difficult because of how these games have unfolded. However, the team continues to recover and win. Kansas City had four possessions inside the 5-yard line and scored only once, despite having several opportunities to control the game.

Kansas City appeared to have the higher probability of winning throughout the game. After RJ Harvey was hurt, Jonah Coleman entered and produced a 50-yard reception that helped Denver find another way to win.

Kansas City also had an opportunity to win with a 54-yard field goal, but Patrick Mahomes took a sack and lost 10 yards. He could have thrown the ball away and created a much easier attempt. Instead, a struggling Harrison Butler was asked to make the longer kick.

Butler has had a great career, but he is not performing at the same level he once did. A 54-yard field goal is now considered an attempt that NFL kickers are expected to make, particularly in Denver, where kickers regularly have the distance from 60 yards.

It is unclear what Justin Tucker would provide, but there is a sense that he could get an opportunity. Butler may receive another week, but he cannot afford another miss. This season could mark the end of the line for him in Kansas City.