ENGLEWOOD – OLB Jonah Ellis and DT Malcolm Roach are focused on a key element of Kansas City’s offensive strength: their cohesive and seasoned offensive line. Both Ellis and Roach are attuned to the challenge the Chiefs’ line presents, particularly with their increased commitment to the run game this season.

“They’re a solid offensive line,” Ellis said, pointing out how Kansas City has leaned more on their ground game recently, adding, “They’ve been running the ball a lot recently, a lot more than in the past.” This shift in Kansas City’s offensive style has added another layer for the Broncos’ defense to prepare for, demanding both discipline and physicality in the trenches.

Roach emphasized the unity and experience among the Chiefs’ offensive line, particularly the interior trio. “As a unit, they play together real good,” Roach said. “You can tell they play a lot of snaps together, especially those two or three interior guys.” This bond makes the Chiefs’ line difficult to break through, meaning Denver’s defensive front will need to be fully prepared and cohesive in their approach.

For Ellis and Roach, this matchup is about playing with grit and relentless effort. “We’ve got to come ready, got to come prepared,” Roach stated, underscoring the focus and intensity Denver’s defensive line will need to bring if they hope to disrupt Kansas City’s powerful offense on Sunday.

The challenge Denver faces is even more pronounced given the Chiefs’ recent success in pass protection. In Week 9, Kansas City’s offensive line was one of the league’s best in pass-blocking, allowing zero sacks and only eight pressures on 51 pass-blocking snaps. This led to a 92.2 PFF pass-blocking efficiency score, ranking sixth in the NFL for the week. Left guard Joe Thuney was especially effective, not surrendering a single pressure and earning an impressive 89.7 PFF pass-blocking grade, leading all guards.

Chiefs’ center Creed Humphrey has been a standout all season, leading all NFL centers with a PFF overall grade of 93.6, a pass-blocking grade of 87.4, and a run-blocking grade of 92.1. His consistency anchors Kansas City’s line, providing stability and opening lanes for their rushers, as evidenced by Kareem Hunt’s 106-yard performance behind this line in Week 9.

With these elite players up front, the Chiefs’ offensive line presents a formidable challenge for Denver’s defense. For Ellis and Roach, that means focusing on winning their matchups and executing as a unit. “They’re really running it and doing well with it,” Ellis said, adding that Denver’s defensive front will need to be sharp and physical. As they prepare for Sunday, both Ellis and Roach know they’ll need to bring their best to disrupt the Chiefs’ powerhouse offensive line and contain Kansas City’s versatile attack.