BRONCOS (8-6) VS. CHIEFS (10-4)
SUNDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, ARROWHEAD STADIUM, KANSAS CITY, MO. uTV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
About the Broncos: Denver is in danger of missing the playoffs after two consecutive losses in which the offense totaled 13 points, converted five of 23 third-down plays and had five turnovers while the defense had no takeaways. In Sunday’s 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots, the Broncos were 2-for-12 on third downs and didn’t score a touchdown on two trips to the red zone, including once when QB pass was intercepted. Even in a 20-10 Week 13 win vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, the offense scored only 13 points, the other touchdown coming on an interception return. The Broncos were 1-for-13 on third downs that day, so they are 6-for-36 in the last three games. A big culprit is the lack of a running game. In the loss to the Patriots, RBs Justin Forsett (10-37) and er (6-17) totaled 54 yards on 16 attempts.
About the Chiefs: Kansas City lost control of the AFC West when it wasn’t able to hold an early 14-0 lead in a 19-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, who scored 12 points on their final three possessions, when they gained 159 yards on 29 plays. Offensively, the Chiefs had 109 yards in the second half and scored one touchdown on four red-zone trips. Two of those ended with no points — a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line failed, and QB
threw an interception on a play that began at the 7-yard line. As the game tightened late, the offense stumbled, totaling 40 yards on 19 plays with two first downs on the Chiefs’ final three possessions. Smith had a passer rating of 56.1 after completing six of 12 passes for 55 yards in the second half.
Kansas City’s trio had no sacks or quarterback hits against Tennessee, so these players should be hungry Thursday night. Okung and Stephenson will have the challenge of keeping them away from Siemian.
Player to watch: Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin. After missing time because of a groin
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
injury, Maclin has played in the last two games and had six catches for 82 yards Sunday, including a 44-yard reception. He had one catch the week before. A healthy Maclin is important for the Kansas City offense.
Amount by which the Chiefs were outscored in the fourth quarter Sunday after entering the game with a 96-63 advantage in the fourth quarter of the previous 13 games. Denver has outscored its opponents 143-58 in the final quarter.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Winning third down: While the Broncos have struggled mightily the last three games on third down, the Chiefs had their own problems in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee. They converted four of 14 opportunities, which also revealed that they failed to get enough first downs before reaching third down. The team that wins that battle Thursday will be in a better position to win.
2. Winning the turnover battle: This is usually where the Chiefs shine, but the last two games have gone against the trend. They beat Oakland with minus 3 on turnovers and lost to Tennessee when they were plus 2. Overall, Kansas City is plus 13, one of the best marks in the league. Denver has dropped to plus 2 after being minus 5 the last two games.
This is the third consecutive home game for the Chiefs, and Thursday night promises to be another cold one, though probably not as bad as Sunday. The team that runs the ball the best should have an edge.
Howard Balzer