SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

BY ADAM GREENE

Believe it or not the top spot in the AFC West, and therefore a home playoff game, are on the line on Sunday Night Football when the Denver Broncos travel to the Show Me State to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The implications of this one are massive from the first moment Cris Collinsworth slides into frame. Denver is currently on the outside looking in with the AFC playoff bracket. A victory changes that completely and, depending on what else happens Sunday and Monday Night, the Chiefs could be out of the mix with a loss. With the scrum of teams with similar records in the AFC, pretty much every game is a playoff game at this point.

This will be the 123^rd all time meeting between the Chiefs and Broncos, two of the original AFL franchises. Kansas City leads the all time series 67-55 and has won 11 straight dating back to Nov. 2015. Don’t feel too sorry for the Broncos, before that they reeled off seven consecutive wins over KC. It’s been that kind of series.

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-10, O/U: 47)

Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Dec. 5, 8:20 p.m.

DENVER BRONCOS (6-5)

After an October swoon, the Broncos have won three of their last four. So, apparently, trading away Von Miller was the secret or acquiring Kenny Young. Either way, Denver currently has the Los Angeles Rams’ mojo and they used it last week to knock off the LA Chargers 28-13. Teddy Bridgewater didn’t light up the stat sheet, but threw for 129 yards and a TD and rushing for another. Drew Lock came in and went 4 for 7 for 26 yards and an interception, because that’s his thing. Melvin Gordon rushed 17 times for 83 yards. The defense sacked Justin Herbert three times and intercepted him twice.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-4)

After being written off by everyone, the Chiefs have won four straight to regain control of the AFC West and currently hold, at worst, the No. 4 seed in the AFC. Two weeks ago they embarrassed the Dallas Cowboys, beating them 19-9. Patrick Mahomes threw for 250 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 12 carries for 63 yards and a score. Tyreek Hill caught nine passes for 77 yards. KC’s defense sacked Dak Prescott five times, picked him off twice and held Dallas to a total of 82 yards on the ground.

THE PICK

That’s a scary spread, but Kansas City had already pulled itself together before the bye. Now, with a week off, they should be even more dangerous. While Denver has played well over the last month, there’s a serious talent difference here, so I feel that spread is probably safe at home in spite of KC’s 4-7 record ATS this season. Chiefs 31, Broncos 20

Last week

Straight up: 6-9

Against the spread: 4-11

Season

Straight up: 106-73-1

Against the spread: 88-92

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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