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Inconsistent Broncos can clinch division vs. Chiefs

Dec 3, 2008 - 2:05 AM Kansas City (2-10) at Denver (7-5) 4:05 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Broncos' roller-coaster season may come to a crescendo this week - with a little help.

The Broncos look to move closer to their first AFC West title in three years when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Broncos have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. Denver has a three-game lead over the San Diego Chargers despite a defense that is fourth-worst in the league (380.6 yards per game).

Because of that porous defense, the Broncos have had some puzzling losses. Denver was shocked by Oakland, 31-10, two weeks ago and lost 33-19 to then-winless Kansas City in Week Four.

However, the defense showed up on Sunday, forcing three fumbles and returning one for a touchdown in a 34-17 win over the AFC-East leading New York Jets.

The offense has been the one constant, though, and Sunday was no different. Jay Cutler threw for 357 yards and two touchdowns and rookie Peyton Hillis ran for 129 yards against the league's third-ranked run defense.

"The thing that really got me going was the ESPN analysts and they were all saying we shouldn't get off the plane," said Hillis, a fullback who has been pressed into duty due to several injuries. "That really got me fired up."

The erratic Broncos will know ahead of time whether or not they can clinch their first AFC West title since 2005. If San Diego loses or ties against Oakland on Thursday, Denver will clinch with a win.

Either way, the Broncos know they cannot overlook the Chiefs, who ran for 213 yards in their win over Denver on September 28.

"The season is far from over with. We have seen teams bounce back very quickly," said Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan of the Chargers' (4-8) struggles. "The thing that we are going to do is hopefully concentrate on the job at hand.

"We have Kansas City in our backyard and we have to worry about our business. We know what San Diego is capable of doing. We have seen them play some excellent games. To assume it is over is a big mistake for our football team and the rest of the NFL."

Kansas City, which is coming off just its second win in the last 21 games - a 20-13 triumph over Oakland - would love nothing more than to play spoiler against its hated rival.

Problem is, the Chiefs haven't had much success in Denver. Kansas City has never beaten Denver at Invesco Field, which opened in 2001, having dropped seven straight here since a 23-22 loss on September 24, 2000.

"We haven't done very well when we've gone into that stadium," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said.

"I guess it's been seven meetings now (in a row). That's something we will talk about. Most of these kids haven't been to that stadium, so that's somewhat of a good thing since they don't know what to anticipate when they go there."