A week after taking a 43-13 pounding from the San Diego Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs will once again try to dethrone an AFC playoff contender when the Denver Broncos visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos ended a four-game slide when they beat the New York Giants 26-6 on primetime television Thanksgiving night.  It seems if the Broncos lost that game, they would undoubtedly be on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, possibly for good.

Now they are set to make what has turned out to be one of the most difficult December road trips any team can face with a visit to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.

The last time the Broncos made their way to Arrowhead, Jay Cutler almost single-handedly gave the game to the Chiefs, ending the Broncos’ 3-0 start in 2008 with a 33-19 reality check.

This time, the circumstances are quite different. 

Again, the Chiefs are looking to play the role of spoiler. But for the Broncos the stakes are higher.  The playoffs are potentially on the line.

This is the quintessential trap game, one which the Broncos will most certainly be ready for.

Denver is better in every major statistical category.  On paper, they should dominate this game.

But games are not won on paper. 

Here is how the Broncos can win on Sunday.

 

1.  Get Knowshon Moreno his First 100-Yard Game

The Chiefs are allowing nearly 135 rushing yards per contest and the Broncos’ running game is clearly on the rise, thanks to rookie tailback Knowshon Moreno.

Moreno has nearly broken 100 yards multiple times this season, but for some reason he always seems to hit a bit of a wall.  If the Broncos are going to win this game, they need to ensure that Moreno and the rejuvenated running game control the line of scrimmage and the game clock.

A huge key for the game on Sunday for the Broncos is the return of right tackle Ryan Harris, who went down with a toe injury earlier this season.  Harris was playing at a Pro Bowl level before his injury and the Broncos have lost four of the five games he has missed.

Harris’ athleticism and mere presence will help the Broncos in the running game.  He really does add another dimension to the Denver offense. 

Expect the Broncos to show a heavy dose of the running game on Sunday. If they do it effectively, expect it to lead them to the winner’s circle.

 

2.  Force Early Turnovers

The Chiefs’ offensive line is among the worst in the NFL and the Broncos need to exploit it.  Sack-master Elvis Dumervil, who leads the league with 14 quarterback takedowns, needs to cause havoc for Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. 

It is almost certain the Broncos will force turnovers, but they can put this game away by forcing Cassel into poor throws early on or causing fumbles via sacks.

It’s clear that the Broncos’ offense thrives with a short field and the defense needs to make that scenario possible as often as they can. 

Kansas City has gotten a jump in the passing game from waiver-wire acquisition Chris Chambers, a player the Broncos are familiar with from his days in San Diego.

Another area the Broncos can exploit is the Chiefs’ quarterback position, where Josh McDaniels essentially has the task of taking down his own project in Cassel.

McDaniels groomed Cassel in New England and he knows every strength and weakness the kid possesses.  The Broncos should be able to exploit Cassel and the weak passing offense of the Chiefs.

 

3.  Oh Kyle Orton, Where Art Thou?

Okay, so the heading is lame, but here it goes.

The Broncos are facing one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses this week and quarterback Kyle Orton needs to have a big game.  With a fully healthy offensive line and receiving core, he has no more excuses to be anything but the Orton we all saw in the first six weeks.

The Chiefs have good cornerbacks, but the Broncos have better wide receivers and tight ends.  Brandon Marshall will be a strong focus of attention by the Chiefs and the Broncos should look to intermediate routes over the middle of the field to exploit Kansas City.

Orton should have a big game against the Chiefs, provided he is smart with his passes, as usual.

 

This is a game the Broncos cannot overlook. And as disciplined as this team has proven to be this season, it does not seem like an option.

The Broncos need to improve to 8-4 in the heated AFC playoff race, with the potential to catch the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West title as the season progresses.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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