The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos (8-2) and Chiefs (5-4) at Empower Field at Mile High.

Offense

Since the Broncos walloped Dallas 44-24 on Oct. 26, they have had two games of erratic offensive play. But they were able to win at Houston 18-15 and 10-7 at home to Las Vegas to extend their winning streak to seven games. But if quarterback Bo Nix doesn’t step up against the Chiefs, it could be much different. The Broncos will be hampered by star running back J.K. Dobbins being out with a foot injury, but they have confidence in rookie RJ Harvey. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a staggering 13-1 against the Broncos as a starter since he entered the NFL in 2018, the only loss being 24-9 at Denver in 2023. Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce has lost a step being in his 13th season but remains very crafty and able to get open. The Chiefs are also missing their top back with Isiah Pacheco (knee) out but will look to get a spark from veteran Kareem Hunt.

Advantage: Chiefs 

Defense 

The Broncos have 46 sacks in 10 games, putting them on pace to break Chicago’s 1984 NFL record of 72 in a season. Outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper have 9.5 and 7.5 sacks, respectively. They and others will look to put pressure on Mahomes. The Broncos sure could use star cornerback Pat Surtain II against Mahomes, but he will miss his third straight game due to a strained pectoral muscle. Second-year man Kris Abrams-Draine has at least been a capable replacement. The Chiefs have an underrated defense, ranking No. 4 in the NFL in points allowed. Future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Chris Jones has just 2.0 sacks but is always dangerous. Nick Bolton leads the linebacker corps, and Trent McDuffie is a top-notch cornerback. The Chiefs have had three games of holding foes to less than 10 points, including one shutout.

Advantage: Broncos

Coaching 

Two of the NFL’s top coaches meet in the Broncos’ Sean Payton and the Chiefs’ Andy Reid. The two have been close for a long time. In around 2008, Payton, then coaching New Orleans, reached out to Reid, then coaching Philadelphia, to gain insight on how the coach was so good coming off bye weeks. Reid is 22-4 in his career when his team is in such a situation, 13-1 with the Eagles from 1999-2012, and 9-3 since going to Kansas City in 2013. The Chiefs are coming off a bye after a 28-21 loss at Buffalo on Nov. 2. The Broncos haven’t played since defeating the Raiders on Nov. 6. While Reid has won three Super Bowls in the past six seasons, the Chiefs’ 5-4 start is tied for the second-worst he has had in 13 Kansas City seasons. Payton’s offensive play-calling this season has been uneven, but the Broncos’ great defense has been the key reason for their hot start.

Advantage: Chiefs 

Intangibles 

The Broncos have won 10 straight home games, the longest ongoing NFL streak. With this being one of their biggest regular-season games of the past decade, a raucous crowd is expected. The Chiefs have won nine straight AFC West titles, but the Broncos have a chance to all but end their chances of getting a 10^th. The Chiefs have played a tougher schedule than Denver, one reason they are behind in the division race. Kansas City is 2-2 away from home this season, one of the losses in the opener to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. The Chiefs are much healthier than the Broncos, having Pacheco as their only player with an injury designation. In addition to Dobbins and Surtain being out, the Broncos also will be without inside linebacker Alex Singleton (testicular cancer surgery), outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) and tight end Nate Adkins (knee).

Advantage: Broncos