Chiefs, Broncos meet Sunday for AFC West control

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix prepare to meet on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. The 5-1 Chiefs and 5-2 Broncos have jointly controlled the AFC West for 16 seasons. The Chiefs won the first meeting of the season 31-10 in Week 1. A repeat would give Kansas City a one and a half game lead and the head-to-head tiebreaker. A Denver victory would give them a half game advantage entering the second half.

Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey called the Chiefs a great team and a litmus test for the league. He said the matchup is a great challenge for Denver. The Chiefs have won the division nine straight times from 2016 to 2024. Denver won the division from 2011 to 2015 and again last season. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers trail the top two teams in the division.

Running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 173 yards and a 60-yard touchdown in the Week 1 loss. He was held to 36 yards in a recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Right tackle Jaylon Moore and receiver Rashee Rice are expected to return from injury. Moore missed the last game due to concussion protocol. Rice missed the past two games with a strained right hamstring. Mahomes said the team will continue to run the ball and attack the intermediate areas if Denver stacks the box.

Denver has improved its tackling since missing 19 tackles in the opener. Linebacker Alex Singleton said the team must build on good plays from that game. Quarterback Bo Nix is ranked 26th in QBR with a 45.2 rating. He completed a 62-yard touchdown run against Arizona, the longest by a quarterback in franchise history. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is questionable due to a chest injury. The Broncos are 28th in plays of 20 or more yards.

The Chiefs pass rush has struggled this season. All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has recorded only a half-sack. Edge rusher George Karlaftis has one sack. Rookie edge Mason Thomas has one sack. Tight end Travis Kelce remains Mahomes' most reliable target at age 37. Rookie Cyrus Allen is expected to see more snaps, according to coach Andy Reid.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II is expected to play after missing three games with an ankle injury. The team has gone 7-0 in games Surtain has not played over the past three seasons. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is a question due to a right ankle injury. Kicker Harrison Butker is under pressure after missing two field goals last week. The Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to the practice squad Wednesday.

Rookie running back Jonah Coleman is expected to make a larger impact for Denver. He has a 4.9 yards per carry average and a 21.1% rate for 10-plus yard carries. Coach Sean Payton said Coleman needs more touches. The Chiefs defense has recorded 10 takeaways this season. Denver has allowed five touchdowns, five interceptions, and 14 sacks to Mahomes in five games since Vance Joseph became defensive coordinator in 2023.