Broncos-Chiefs Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Tale of two QBs will have happier ending for DenverOne of the most explosive teams in the league, Denver brings its high-powered offense to Kansas City, where the home team still is looking for its first victory. The Chiefs are struggling on both sides of the ball, and clearly have their backs against the wall. On paper, this game is a mismatch, but division-game 'dogs frequently get overlooked. Kansas City could make it interesting if coach Herm Edwards elects to take some chances with exotic pressure packages on defense and opens up the playbook a bit on the other side of the ball.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
DEN	8-8	370	448	4-4	4-4	3-3	5-7
KAN	2-14	291	440	1-7	1-7	2-4	2-10
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Denver Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Orton 62.1 3802 21 12 Simms 29.4 23 0 1

Kansas City Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cassel 55.0 2924 16 16 Croyle 57.5 230 2 0

Denver Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Moreno 247 947 3.8 7 Buckha... 120 642 5.4 1

Kansas City Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Charle... 190 1120 5.9 7 Johnso... 132 377 2.9 0

Denver Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Marsha... 101 1120 11.1 10 Gaffne... 54 732 13.6 2

Kansas City Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Chambe... 36 608 16.9 4 Bowe 47 589 12.5 4

Full Player Stats: Denver | Kansas City

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	DEN	396.0
	KAN	309.0
Yards Passing	DEN	279.4
	KAN	195.6
Yards Rushing	DEN	116.4
	KAN	113.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	DEN	374.6
	KAN	393.2
Pass Yds Allowed	DEN	228.5
	KAN	234.3
Rush Yds Allowed	DEN	146.1
	KAN	158.9

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Denver leads 10-6
Dec 9, 2007	DEN 41, @KAN 7
Nov 11, 2007	DEN 27, KAN 11
Nov 23, 2006	DEN 10, KAN 19
Sep 17, 2006	DEN 9, @KAN 6
Dec 4, 2005	DEN 27, KAN 31
Sep 26, 2005	DEN 30, @KAN 10
Dec 19, 2004	DEN 17, KAN 45
Nov 6, 2004	DEN 17, @KAN 11
Sep 12, 2004	DEN 34, @KAN 24
Dec 7, 2003	DEN 45, @KAN 27
Oct 5, 2003	DEN 23, KAN 24
Dec 15, 2002	DEN 31, @KAN 24
Oct 20, 2002	DEN 37, KAN 34
Dec 16, 2001	DEN 23, KAN 26
Oct 7, 2001	DEN 20, @KAN 6

Off to their best start in five years, the Denver Broncos have used a high-powered offense to bail out one of the league's most vulnerable defenses. Their defense likely won't have the same troubles this week.

The Broncos look to remain undefeated on Sunday when they visit the stumbling Kansas City Chiefs, who try to avoid extending their franchise-record losing streak to 13 games.

Denver (3-0) is one of six undefeated teams in the NFL, but it hasn't been easy.

After making a 2-point conversion in the final seconds to beat San Diego 39-38 on Sept. 14, the Broncos escaped with a 34-32 win over New Orleans last Sunday when Martin Gramatica's 43-yard field goal try with 1:55 remaining was wide right. It was the second straight week Denver led 21-3 only to barely hang on.

"We've got to be the luckiest team right now because of what's going on," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "We put ourselves in those situations, but right at the end things have been happening for us. You've got to take it as a good sign."

Denver, which is 3-0 for the first time since opening the 2003 season with four consecutive victories, has been led by an offense that averages a league-best 38.0 points and is second in total offense (435.0 yards per game).

Jay Cutler has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, throwing for 914 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Cutler and Brandon Marshall are also creating one of the top quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the league. Marshall, who was suspended for the season opener for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, already has 24 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

While Denver's offense is surging, the defense has been susceptible.

The Broncos have allowed the third-most yards in the league (432.0) and the fifth-most points (28.0). In their last two games, they've given up 70 points and 958 yards.

"It's nice to give up 32 points and still win the football game," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said after last Sunday's victory. "That's the bottom line, you've got to find a way to win.

"I think our guys are realistic: We have a ways to go. We've had a good start, we've made some strides, but we're far from where we want to be."

The last two quarterbacks the Broncos faced -- San Diego's Philip Rivers and New Orleans' Drew Brees -- picked Denver's secondary apart for 798 yards, but things should be different on Sunday.

After starting three quarterbacks in their first three games, Damon Huard will make his second start of the season for the Chiefs (0-3).

Huard takes over for Tyler Thigpen, who threw three interceptions in his first career start in last Sunday's 38-14 loss to Atlanta.

Huard, who is 10-for-16 for 135 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, again gets to direct one of the worst offenses in the league. The Chiefs rank fifth-worst in total yards (282.7) and have scored the third-fewest points (10.7).

Their defense isn't any better, as they are 24th in scoring (26.0) and 25th in total defense (362.3).

"We don't have a strength right now on either side of the ball," Kansas City coach Herm Edwards said. "You can't combat it with something. Generally, you can lean on your strength, but right now we don't have a strength. We're not really strong in any area right now.

"It's not fun right now for anybody. It's not fun for the players, the coaches, the fans. But it's the road we're traveling and now it's our job to try to get better every week."

The Chiefs, who have not won since defeating Oakland 12-10 last Oct. 21, are trying to avoid starting 0-4 for the first time since 1980.

Kansas City's 12-game losing streak includes two defeats to Denver last season, as the Broncos outscored the Chiefs 68-18 in those games. Denver's 27-11 win at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 11 snapped a four-game losing streak at Kansas City.

Cutler threw for 436 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in 2007 against the Chiefs, while Marshall had 16 receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Selvin Young, who has run for 179 yards this season, rushed for 265 and one TD on 37 attempts in the two games against Kansas City as a rookie last season.

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Chiefs' Waters receives Man of the Year award

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed Sunday that Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs was this season's winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Broncos' Marshall, owner Bowlen on same page

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and receiver Brandon Marshall fell onto the same page last week, both saying they'd like the two-time Pro Bowler to return next season.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

League won't punish Marshall

Brandon Marshall Issues remain for Brandon Marshall, but he no longer has to worry about a possible NFL suspension.

Broncos' Marshall has quick trip

As the Broncos restart their passing camp today at their Dove Valley headquarters, receiver Brandon Marshall will be in Orlando, Fla., where he will continue to rehabilitate after hip surgery.

Broncos' Marshall denies ever abusing ex-girlfriend

Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall defended himself Sunday on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," which detailed seven reported incidents of domestic violence.

Scheffler on board with Broncos' plan

A year after hobbling around Dove Valley with a foot injury, tight end Tony Scheffler is part of the Broncos' passing minicamp this season.

No Bronco escaped new coach's scrutiny

The old regime brought them in for a reason. They fit in specific offensive or defensive schemes, or had attributes the organization craved.

'He runs a tight ship'

When Todd Haley was introduced as the Chiefs' new head coach in early February, he joked that he was trying to loosen up, if only for the day.

Safety alert: Mike Brown making free-agent visit to Kansas City

One safety with Chicago ties is expected to announce his retirement today. Another will look for a new place to continue his career.

Still no Waters or Vrabel at Chiefs practice, but LJ returns

The Chiefs began another week of optional team practices without two important pieces, and how Kansas City ends this week could foretell whether key players on offense and defense have a future with the team.

Chiefs adjust to new roles in new defense

Turk McBride still feels himself inching toward the defensive line, home for so long, and the comfort his old position would bring.

Clock ticking on Chiefs contract

The game of chicken between the Kansas City Chiefs and state government has yet to scare away potential builders of a summer training camp facility in St.