For the third week in a row, Denver's top run defense faces one of the league's premier running backs (Tomlinson, Williams, and this week Holmes-the league's top producer).
The lines-makers have set Denver up as a 3 point favorite on the road against one of the league's better teams. Granted, Kansas City is 3-3 but they were one play and one point away from 4-2 in losing to an excellent Chargers team last week. Are the Broncos really 6 points better (accounting for home field advantage)?
Denver is coming off a tough emotional loss and has been distracted all week by a fine levied against strong safety Kenoy Kennedy for a vicious hit on Miami WR Chris Chambers in last Sunday's game. Coach Shannahan has spent more time trying to convince the public that the hit was OK than on preparing his team.
For Denver, this game is sandwiched in the middle of an excruciatingly tough stretch against Baltimore, San Diego, Miami, New England and Oakland. They cannot play at the top of their game every week. Will this be the week they struggle?
The bad news is that KC's defense is a sieve, allowing 32.2 points per game. The good news is their offense is on fire, putting up 34.2 points per game, second best in the league.
The Chiefs have shown they can put up lots of points, even against good defenses. Denver's offense is inconsistent enough to make me wonder about laying points on the road against a high-powered offense.
Kansas City, especially with the home crowd that has given Denver lots of problems (KC is 8-2 at home in last 10 against Denver), should win this one outright.