If the Denver Broncos are looking for a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 6, they’ll have to overcome the odds. In addition to the challenging matchup, both teams may also have to contend with inclement weather, as strong wind gusts are expected in Kansas City.
Prior to kickoff, the forecast from The Weather Channel predicts partly cloudy conditions. Although chances of precipitation will only exceed 10% after 11 p.m., steady winds of 15-20 miles per hour are expected. The forecast also states that there is a marginal risk of severe weather throughout the evening.
The National Weather Service in Kansas City and Pleasant Hill, Missouri, highlighted on Wednesday that several strong to severe storms were developing overnight into Thursday, with the possibility of hail and winds reaching 40-60 mph. As a result, AccuWeather forecasts a potential severe thunderstorm for Thursday night, with wind gusts up to 39 mph.
These strong winds could have an impact on the Broncos vs. Chiefs game. Passing plays may be scaled back to avoid throwing into gusts, which could affect both teams as they heavily rely on their aerial attacks. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes currently ranks sixth in passing attempts this year, while Broncos QB Russell Wilson is tied for second with 11 passing touchdowns.
In the event that the weather conditions force both teams to focus on the ground game, the Broncos will have the advantage of having Javonte Williams back in the lineup. Williams, the team’s starting running back, is set to return from a quad injury that kept him out in Week 5. On the other hand, the Chiefs have been relying on second-year back Isiah Pacheco, who has scored in three straight games.