GAMETIME: 7:30 p.m. CST on Sunday, November 30LOCATION: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.HOW TO WATCH: NBC (KSHB local)HOW TO LISTEN: 101.1 The Fox | NFL Network Game Rewind (Monday, 1:00 p.m. CST)GAMCENTER/LIVEBLOG:KCChiefs.com
It's been a roller coaster of a week for the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4).
First, the team announced last Friday that wide receiver A.J. Jenkins was being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. In his place, the Chiefs brought in Jason Avant, a player head coach Andy Reid knows well from their time together in Philadelphia (2006-2012).
As Avant began frantically learning his new playbook, the team released some jarring, unfortunate news Monday that safety Eric Berry was being placed on the non-football injury list due to a mass in his chest. The move ended Berry's season and he now shifts his focus to what could be a greater battle, as Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder revealed the leading consideration for Berry's problem is lymphoma.
As players adjust to a locker room now without both Jenkins and Berry for the foreseeable future, what lies in front of them is the most important game of their season.
The Denver Broncos (8-3) visit Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night to take on a Chiefs team that desperately needs a win to stay alive in the AFC West divisional race.
"It's just that time of year," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said this week. "As the season goes on all these weeks get bigger and bigger. And that's what you want. You want to be in a place where these games are meaningful at this time of year.
"This is a big one, a big division game and a lot on the line."
The Denver Broncos currently sit in first place in the AFC West division and are one game behind the conference-leading New England Patriots. A win for Denver would further solidify their chance for a bye in the first round of the playoffs as well as keep them in striking distance of the ever sought after number one seed.
A win for the Chiefs would tie the Broncos in overall record, but they still would be in second place in the AFC West due to Denver's perfect 3-0 division record (the Chiefs are 1-2). Almost more importantly than catching teams in front of them, however, the Chiefs need to win in order to widen the gap between them and teams chasing from behind.
While if the season ended today, Kansas City would get the first wild card, seven teams in the AFC are vying for those two spots, meaning a loss could drop the Chiefs out of playoff position.
"This goal is to go out there and get a win this week," running back Jamaal Charles said. "We know we're going to have a tough challenge with a Hall of Famer and a great defense coming in. I think we're up for that challenge this week. We're happy that we can go out there and control our own destiny right now."
The "Hall of Famer" Charles referred to is of course Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (No. 18). After winning his fifth Most Valuable Player award last year, Manning is putting together another outstanding season. His 34 touchdowns lead all quarterbacks in the league and after throwing two interceptions in three consecutive road games (against New England, Oakland and St. Louis), Manning looked back on track in Denver last week, throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Broncos' comeback win over the Dolphins.
As far as targets, Manning spreads the ball around, but his two favorites have been wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders (No. 10) and Demaryius Thomas (No. 88), who each have more than 75 receptions and 1,000 yards on the season.
"They're a really talented team," Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said of Denver. "It's one of those deals that you're going to have to play good defense and you've got to make some plays in this game. That's what it really comes down to.
"You've got to make some plays whether it's third down getting off the field, take away if you get an opportunity, whichever it is, you've got to be able to do it."
While Thomas and Sanders have gotten the bulk of the receptions for the Broncos, tight end Julius Thomas (No. 80) leads the team in touchdowns receiving with 12. Thomas, who's dealt with an ankle issue all week, is officially listed as questionable to play after limitedly participating in just two out of three practice days for Denver this week.
Defending against the Broncos offense could become tougher with the breakout of running back C.J. Anderson, who ran 27 times for 167 yards last Sunday.
The Broncos, who have run the ball only 37.7 percent of the time this season, showed that they still possess the ability to hurt you on the ground and for that, Andy Reid said the Chiefs will be prepared.
"You have to make sure you're obviously ready for both so that's what you do," he said Friday. "They're going to give you a little of each I think so you better be on your game."
The players to watch for the Broncos on defense are linebacker Von Miller (No. 58) and defensive lineman DeMarcus Ware (No. 94), who have 10 and nine sacks respectively. They lead a defense that ranks No. 2 in the league at stopping the run at just 75.5 yards rushing allowed per game.
The Chiefs will have some fresh faces at the wide receiver position going up against that Denver defense. Avant will be making his Chiefs debut and Donnie Avery, who is officially listed as probable, will likely return after being held out of action due to sports hernia surgery in late September.
In the first game against the Broncos, the Chiefs dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 36 out of a possible 60 minutes. The result wound up being a loss despite outgaining Denver both on the ground and through the air and being much more efficient on third down.
To beat the Broncos, the Chiefs will seek to win those statistical categories once again. Accumulating time of possession and converting on third down will keep the reigning MVP off the field and allow Alex Smith and the Chiefs offense to work.
The Broncos will no doubt want to leave Arrowhead Stadium with the win, but for the Chiefs, making sure that doesn't happen is imperative.
As we tiptoe into the final stretch of the NFL season, having to only look at your scoreboard is much better than the alternative.
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.
