Kansas City Chiefs: 2 key X-Factors against the Broncos in Week 7

The Kansas City Chiefs will need these two key factors to go their way to ensure a victory against the Denver Broncos in Week 7.

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost two games in a row heading into their Thursday night showdown with the Denver Broncos. Even though they are heading on the road, they are three-point favorites and many believe this is the week they finally get back on the right track.

So what do the Chiefs need to do to stop the losing? Let's look at 2 key x-factors.

2. Finishing Drives

The Chiefs have an elite offense, but in the last couple of weeks, they haven't been finishing drives with touchdowns. Putting together scoring drives is going to be crucial against the Broncos. In each of their last two games, Harrison Butker has attempted two field-goal attempts and with the way their defense has played, touchdowns are crucial.

The Chiefs have also had key penalties that have caused the team to be taken out of field goal range or prevent a chance at a touchdown.

In this game, the Chiefs are facing a defense that has a lot of confidence at this point of the season. So far this season, Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 2,104 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. In this game, he needs to try and add at least three touchdowns to that stat line.

Field goals are okay at times, but if the Chiefs get inside the 20-yard line, they need seven points, they can't be settling for three too often.

1. Defense, Defense, Defense…

The Chiefs defense has struggled with inconsistency so far this season. They gave up 30 points to the Detroit Lions and then held the Indianapolis Colts to 19 points the following week. Even though they lost to the Colts, their defense looked really good and they need to have that level of execution against the Broncos.

The Broncos haven't been successful offensively as they are averaging 17.7 points per game (26th) on the season. In their last two games, they have won but failed to reach 20 points.

There is a chance this game could become a shootout, but the Chiefs' defense needs to ensure it doesn't happen. It would take some of the pressure off the Chiefs' offense if their defense can step up and put pressure on Joe Flacco and maybe force the Broncos to settle for a couple of field goals instead of touchdowns.

If the Chiefs lose this game, expect a full-blown panic to commence. They need to make sure they have success in these two areas and if they do, their chances of victory will be strong.