TV Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Stadium: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Weather: High 46, Low 26
Line: Denver (-7.5)
In the game of the week, the one-loss Denver Broncos will take on the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs at Mile High. While the Broncos might be dealing with an ailing Peyton Manning, he is still the top quarterback in the league and it will take a broken leg or ankle to keep this guy off the field. He leads the top offense in the league with a league-high 3,249 yards and 33 touchdowns while hitting four top targets nearly equally. Demaryius Thomas has been the top wide out, catching 55 passes for 793 yards and nine touchdowns while Eric Decker is second, catching 49 passes for 721 yards and three scores. Don’t sleep on Wes Welker who has 576 yards and nine touchdowns while tight end Julius Thomas has 547 yards and nine touchdowns as well. Knowshon Moreno has benefited from the solid passing game, rushing for 521 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Chiefs are the lone unbeaten team in the NFL this season and it looks like they are the underdog in this game by a wide margin as not many people are giving them a chance to beat the high-powered Broncos. Alex Smith has been a big reason as to why this team has experienced a 9-0 record to start the season, passing for 1,919 yards and nine touchdowns — not overly impressive numbers but he is the leader this team needed a year ago. Jamaal Charles has been dynamite in the receiving game for a running back, leading the team in catches with 47 for 389 yards and two touchdowns. Charles has also rushed for 725 yards and six touchdowns this season. Donnie Avery leads all receivers with 396 yards and a score. Dwayne Bowe might be under a heavy spotlight right now as the wide out has been underachieving this season and he was just in a run-in with the law for marijuana possession.
Defensively, the Chiefs have been one of the most consistent units in the league, ranking first in points allowed per game. Kansas City also ranks 10th in total yards and sixth in passing yards while only ranking 24th in rushing yards allowed per contest — good news for Moreno. Denver ranks 25th in points allowed, 23rd in total yards allowed and 30th in passing yards allowed. However, the Broncos excel in run-stopping, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 20, Broncos 27
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Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .