For the record: Chiefs 5-3, first place in AFC West; Broncos 2-6, last place in AFC West
Last game: The Chiefs lost 23-20 to the Oakland Raiders in overtime after giving up 23 points in the second half and overtime.
Who’s hot: The Broncos likely had nightmares all offseason about the Chiefs’ running game, which is just as potent now as it was when Kansas City rushed for 317 yards against the Broncos in the final game of last season. The Chiefs have the league’s top-ranked running game, at 179.6 yards per game. Thomas Jones is the leader in carries (137), but Jamaal Charles has the most yards (719).
Who’s not: The Chiefs have a very unbalanced offense, with quarterback Matt Cassel ranked No. 22 in the NFL in passing yards (1,412). He has thrown only four interceptions this season, but his pick Sunday against the Raiders proved costly in the Chiefs’ road loss.
Key stat: Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is tied for third in the NFL with eight sacks, a number that should worry Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton and the Broncos’ vulnerable offensive line. Hali sacked Orton four times in 2009.
FYI: The Chiefs are getting plenty of production from their rookies, especially second-rounders Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas, who are special-teams stars, and third-round pick tight end Tony Moeaki, who leads the team with 30 receptions.
Coachspeak: “You learn through experience in these big division games . . . that if you let teams hang around, it will come back to bite you.” — Kansas City coach Todd Haley, after his team lost a game Sunday that it led 10-0 at halftime
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
