Schlereth: Commit to run and Broncos win in KC, ‘shut up’ critics

In a raucous environment at Arrowhead Stadium, in an ever important AFC West battle against a Chiefs team once atop the NFL and having 11 days to prepare, the Denver Broncos can escape Kansas City with a win, according to Mark Schlereth.

On Monday, the “Schlereth & Evans” co-host said the Broncos can exploit the Chiefs defense as long as they have a “real commitment” to running the ball.

“You have got to adhere to running the football, regardless of what the front is,” Schlereth said, later adding if he hears how Denver faces eight-man fronts and gets “favorable looks on the outside” one more time, he’ll get physically sick.

“This is a game where you should be able to get that done. You should be able to stay committed to it. You should be able to run the ball for good chunk yardage and open up your play-action game.”

Through seven games this season, the Chiefs rank 23rd in the NFL in terms of rush defense, having given up 872 yards and six touchdowns on the ground in 2017.

Kansas City ranks even lower when it comes to pass defense, sitting at No. 27 with 1,902 yards given up through the air — a phase of the game in which Schlereth said the Broncos can take advantage.

“Run the ball, pound the run between the tackles, do not take no for an answer, celebrate a two-yard run, and then run double-moves on these defensive backs because they are ready to bite the fishhook,” Schlereth said. “These guys will jump on that first move, and you’ve got big plays over the top if you can do that. But it’s predicated on running the ball”

Last week, Schlereth called the Monday Night Football matchup a “pivotal” one for Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, saying, “There are always these moments in a coaching career where you become more defined as a head football coach, where you either gain the credibility of your team and you gain the leadership and that aspect from your players or you start to lose it.”

However, Schlereth said on Monday that Joseph and the Broncos have a chance to silence the critics if they stick to a solid game plan — one that includes a commitment to the ground game.

“You do those things, and this is a victory. This is the big-time, Broncos head to K.C. and shut up all the critics,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.