It used to be the Indianapolis Colts.
Whenever you thought of the blue and the white, you synonymously pictured quarterback Peyton Manning, his methodical pass game and how it seemingly led to every Colts victory.
Since 2012, that thought has stayed the same, but now there's a bit more orange involved.
As a 38-year-old member of the Denver Broncos, he's still doing it. Already this year, Manning leads the league with 34 passing touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Head coach John Fox is calling 62.3 percent pass plays and of the 42 offensive touchdowns the Broncos have scored, only eight have been rushing. Montee Ball, the Broncos' leading rusher the first time against the Chiefs in Week 2, was only called upon 12 times to do so in that game.
It's that play-calling style that has led the Broncos to an 8-3 record and a standalone place on top of the AFC West division.
But in the game coming up Sunday, the Broncos cannot be considered one-dimensional, especially after last week's effort.
In their 39-36 comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Broncos were led by second-year running back and former seventh-round draft pick C.J. Anderson, who ran the ball 27 times for 167 yards, season highs for Denver in both categories.
"He's played really well when he's been in there," Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said of Anderson. "He's doing a really good job in all phases. He's not just a runner, he's a good protection guy. He's a stout guy so his protection is pretty good and he's done a really good job."
Seeing what Anderson could do, the Chiefs will have to prepare for variability in play calling by the Broncos that they may not have expected before last week. Peyton Manning is a smart quarterback, and that doesn't stop with what he can do with his throwing arm.
"He doesn't allow you to focus on just one phase of their game and that's one of his great strengths I think," Sutton added about Manning. "He's very patient. He's drop the ball off, drop the ball off, run, drop the ball off."
Defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson, who played with him from 2012-2013 on the Broncos, knows that although Manning may sometimes look to show a tendency, he offers a capability of altering strategies quickly and will do so any time.
"Peyton changes things like he changes clothes every week to week. That I do know," Vickerson said assuredly. "What we have to do is just read our keys and play what we see in front of us. Can't get out there and think too much."
When it comes to Manning, everyone thinks about his game-managing ability and the ways he can hurt an opposing team through the air.
But as the Chiefs took the field indoors at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex on Wednesday, they realized that preparation was necessary for all facets.
Manning "changes things like he changes his clothes," and whether it's by his arm or Anderson's legs, the Chiefs defense will need to be alert and ready for anything.
Practice Bits
- TE Anthony Fasano (knee), WR Junior Hemingway (concussion) and DT Kevin Vickerson (calf) did not practice.
- P Dustin Colquitt (calf), LB Tamba Hali (knee) and CB Chris Owens (knee/abdomen) were limited.
Take a look through the Chiefs vs. Broncos history.
The Chiefs defense swarming QB John Elway on September 17, 1990. The Chiefs went on to lose 23-24.
Offensive Lineman Rich Baldinger protecting the pocket. The Chiefs won 31-20 on December 9, 1990.
J.J Birden jukes a defender on November 17, 1991 during the Chiefs 20-24 loss.
The Chiefs defense making the play on November 17, 1991.
RB Todd McNair breaking a tackle on December 27, 1992. The Chiefs won the game 42-20.
"The Nigerian Nightmare," Christian Okoye running through Broncos defenders on October 4, 1992. The Chiefs lost the game 19-20.
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer looks on during the Chiefs 15-7 win on September 20, 1993.
QB Joe Montana looking for an open receiver during the Chiefs 15-7 win on September 20, 1993.
Neil Smith rushes in to apply pressure on Broncos QB John Elway during the Chiefs 20-17 OT loss to the Broncos on December 4, 1994.
WR J. J. Birden making a play during the Chiefs 20-17 OT loss to the Broncos on December 4, 1994.
The relentess Chiefs defense making a play during the Chiefs 20-17 win on December 17, 1995.
The offense before the snap during the Chiefs 21-7 win on October 22, 1995.
Blowing by Broncos defenders during the Chiefs 17-16 win on September 22, 1996.
RB Marcus Allen breaking tackled during the Chiefs 34-7 loss on October 27, 1996.
LB Derrick Thomas makes the sack on QB John Elway during the Chiefs 24-22 win on November 16, 1997.
QB Rich Gannon drops back to pass during the Chiefs 14-10 loss on January 4, 1998.
LB Derrick Thomas with the sack during the Chiefs 14-10 loss on January 4, 1998.
LB Derrick Thomas stops Broncos running back Terrell Davis during the Chiefs 26-10 win on September 19, 1999.
FB Tony Richardson hurdling tacklers during the Chiefs 16-10 win on December 5, 1999.
WR Derrick Alexander pulls in the winning touchdown pass in front of Broncos safety Eric Brown during the fourth quarter at Denver's Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000. The Chiefs beat the Broncos 23-22.
LB Donnie Edwards making the tackle during the Chiefs 20-7 win on December 17, 2000.
Broncos CB Deltha O'Neal is tackled by numerous Chiefs in the fourth quarter during the Chiefs 20-6 loss on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001.
The defense lining up for a punt during the Chiefs 26-23 win on December 16, 2001.
WR Dante Hall with the reception on December 15, 2002. The Chiefs went on to lose 24-31.
RB Priest Holmes leaps over a pile of Broncos during the Chiefs 34-37 loss on October 20, 2002.
TE Tony Gonzalez with the reception during the Chiefs 45-27 loss on December 7, 2003.
RB Priest Holmes runs for yardage during a 24-23 win against the Broncos on October 5, 2003.
58 Shawn Barber with the tackle during a 34-24 loss against the Broncos on September 12, 2004.
RB Larry Johnson during the Chiefs 45-17 victory on December 19, 2004.
Broncos WR Rod Smith is tackled by Chiefs Dexter McCleon after a first quarter reception in Denver, Monday night, Sept. 26, 2005. The Chiefs went on to lose 30-10.
WR Eddie Kennison makes a play during the Chiefs 31-27 victory on December 4, 2005.
Ron Edwards pressuring the QB during the Chiefs 19-10 win on November 23, 2006.
OL Casey Wiegmann clearing space during the Chiefs 9-6 loss on September 17, 2006.
RB Priest Holmes gains yardage during the Chiefs 27-11 loss on November 11, 2007.
A battle in the trenches on December 9, 2007. The Chiefs went on to lose 41-7.
WR Dwayne Bowe gaining yard after the catch during the Chiefs 24-17 loss on December 7, 2008.
TE Tony Gonzales makes an unbelievable play during the Chiefs 33-19 win on September 28, 2008.
RB Jamaal Charles fighting his way through the Broncos defense during the Chiefs 44-24 win on January 3, 2010.
RB Jamaal Charles diving for extra yardage during the Chiefs 44-13 win on December 6, 2009.
Broncos QB Kyle Orton is sacked by Chiefs LB Tamba Hali during the first quarter of the Chiefs 10-6 win on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010.
RB Jamaal Charles breaking tackles during the Chiefs 10-6 win on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010.
WR Dexter McCluster focusing in for the reception during the Chiefs 17-10 loss on November 13, 2011.
WR Dwayne Bowe makes a catch as Broncos CB Champ Bailey defends during the Chiefs 7-3 W on January 1, 2012.
WR Dwayne Bowe breaking a tackle and gaining extra yardage on the play during the Chiefs 17-9 loss on November 25, 2012.
CB Brandon Flowers with a 64 yard fumble recovery during the Chiefs 38-3 loss on December 30, 2012.
