The Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) host the Denver Broncos (8-3) on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium in a key divisional matchup with playoff implications.
The Broncos are coming off a 39-36 comeback win over the Miami Dolphins last week but have lost two of their last four games.
All three of the Broncos losses this season have come on the road, but that doesn't mean slowing down Peyton Manning and this offense is going to be any easier for the Chiefs on Sunday night.
In his career, Manning is 10-1 against the Chiefs and 5-0 since joining the Denver Broncos.
Manning leads the NFL with 34 touchdown passes and had success against the Chiefs' No. 1 pass defense (198.9 yards per game) in their Week 2 meeting, a 24-17 victory for the Broncos in Denver.
Manning finished the game 21 of 26 for 242 yards and three touchdowns, although over the last three road games, Manning has thrown two interceptions in each.
"The key thing with [Manning] is you get him to third down and you've got to win enough to get off the field because he's going to complete passes," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. "For all the things you know about him, he's smart.
"He knows the coverages and he knows what's going to happen. [When] we get him in those third downs, we've got to win them."
According to Pro Football Focus, Manning has struggled this season in one area, which is against the blitz.
He's completing just 57 percent of his passes when teams send five or more players at him and over 72 percent when teams send four or less. He's thrown 10 touchdowns and five interceptions when facing a blitz, but 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions when teams drop more into coverage.
Manning is getting rid of the ball in 2.27 seconds on average this season, which is the fastest in the NFL, and he's only taken 12 sacks, fewest in the NFL.
The Broncos have only run the ball on 37.7 percent of their offensive plays this season, which ranks 27th in the NFL. But they had CJ Anderson run the ball 27 times last week against the Dolphins, which means stopping the run still has to be a focus on Sunday.
"They've gone through a lot of (running) backs here and he's come in and really added some stability," Sutton said of Anderson. "He's played really well when he's been in there. He's doing a really good job in all phases. He's not just a runner. He's a good protection guy and he's done a really good job.
"They're a team that can go either way (run vs. pass) as they proved when they threw the ball in St. Louis and came out and ran 12 straight runs against Miami. You've got to deal with all of it."
On the outside, the Broncos are led by receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, who both have over 100 targets and 75 receptions this season.
Tight end Julius Thomas, who sat out last week against the Dolphins with an ankle injury, leads the team with 12 touchdowns receiving.
Defensively, the Broncos are led by their two pass rushers, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, who have combined for 19 sacks.
The Broncos have also dealt with some injuries at the linebacker position with Danny Trevathan and Nate Irving, both of whom will not play on Sunday.
Irving led the Broncos with 11 tackles against the Chiefs in Week 2.
Take a look through the Chiefs vs. Broncos history.
The Chiefs defense swarming QB John Elway on September 17, 1990. The Chiefs went on to lose 23-24.
Offensive Lineman Rich Baldinger protecting the pocket. The Chiefs won 31-20 on December 9, 1990.
J.J Birden jukes a defender on November 17, 1991 during the Chiefs 20-24 loss.
The Chiefs defense making the play on November 17, 1991.
RB Todd McNair breaking a tackle on December 27, 1992. The Chiefs won the game 42-20.
"The Nigerian Nightmare," Christian Okoye running through Broncos defenders on October 4, 1992. The Chiefs lost the game 19-20.
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer looks on during the Chiefs 15-7 win on September 20, 1993.
QB Joe Montana looking for an open receiver during the Chiefs 15-7 win on September 20, 1993.
Neil Smith rushes in to apply pressure on Broncos QB John Elway during the Chiefs 20-17 OT loss to the Broncos on December 4, 1994.
WR J. J. Birden making a play during the Chiefs 20-17 OT loss to the Broncos on December 4, 1994.
The relentess Chiefs defense making a play during the Chiefs 20-17 win on December 17, 1995.
The offense before the snap during the Chiefs 21-7 win on October 22, 1995.
Blowing by Broncos defenders during the Chiefs 17-16 win on September 22, 1996.
RB Marcus Allen breaking tackled during the Chiefs 34-7 loss on October 27, 1996.
LB Derrick Thomas makes the sack on QB John Elway during the Chiefs 24-22 win on November 16, 1997.
QB Rich Gannon drops back to pass during the Chiefs 14-10 loss on January 4, 1998.
LB Derrick Thomas with the sack during the Chiefs 14-10 loss on January 4, 1998.
LB Derrick Thomas stops Broncos running back Terrell Davis during the Chiefs 26-10 win on September 19, 1999.
FB Tony Richardson hurdling tacklers during the Chiefs 16-10 win on December 5, 1999.
WR Derrick Alexander pulls in the winning touchdown pass in front of Broncos safety Eric Brown during the fourth quarter at Denver's Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000. The Chiefs beat the Broncos 23-22.
LB Donnie Edwards making the tackle during the Chiefs 20-7 win on December 17, 2000.
Broncos CB Deltha O'Neal is tackled by numerous Chiefs in the fourth quarter during the Chiefs 20-6 loss on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001.
The defense lining up for a punt during the Chiefs 26-23 win on December 16, 2001.
WR Dante Hall with the reception on December 15, 2002. The Chiefs went on to lose 24-31.
RB Priest Holmes leaps over a pile of Broncos during the Chiefs 34-37 loss on October 20, 2002.
TE Tony Gonzalez with the reception during the Chiefs 45-27 loss on December 7, 2003.
RB Priest Holmes runs for yardage during a 24-23 win against the Broncos on October 5, 2003.
58 Shawn Barber with the tackle during a 34-24 loss against the Broncos on September 12, 2004.
RB Larry Johnson during the Chiefs 45-17 victory on December 19, 2004.
Broncos WR Rod Smith is tackled by Chiefs Dexter McCleon after a first quarter reception in Denver, Monday night, Sept. 26, 2005. The Chiefs went on to lose 30-10.
WR Eddie Kennison makes a play during the Chiefs 31-27 victory on December 4, 2005.
Ron Edwards pressuring the QB during the Chiefs 19-10 win on November 23, 2006.
OL Casey Wiegmann clearing space during the Chiefs 9-6 loss on September 17, 2006.
RB Priest Holmes gains yardage during the Chiefs 27-11 loss on November 11, 2007.
A battle in the trenches on December 9, 2007. The Chiefs went on to lose 41-7.
WR Dwayne Bowe gaining yard after the catch during the Chiefs 24-17 loss on December 7, 2008.
TE Tony Gonzales makes an unbelievable play during the Chiefs 33-19 win on September 28, 2008.
RB Jamaal Charles fighting his way through the Broncos defense during the Chiefs 44-24 win on January 3, 2010.
RB Jamaal Charles diving for extra yardage during the Chiefs 44-13 win on December 6, 2009.
Broncos QB Kyle Orton is sacked by Chiefs LB Tamba Hali during the first quarter of the Chiefs 10-6 win on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010.
RB Jamaal Charles breaking tackles during the Chiefs 10-6 win on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010.
WR Dexter McCluster focusing in for the reception during the Chiefs 17-10 loss on November 13, 2011.
WR Dwayne Bowe makes a catch as Broncos CB Champ Bailey defends during the Chiefs 7-3 W on January 1, 2012.
WR Dwayne Bowe breaking a tackle and gaining extra yardage on the play during the Chiefs 17-9 loss on November 25, 2012.
CB Brandon Flowers with a 64 yard fumble recovery during the Chiefs 38-3 loss on December 30, 2012.
At defensive back, the player who has really stood out for the Broncos this season is cornerback Chris Harris, who has arguably been the best in the NFL at his position this season.
When opposing quarterbacks throw his direction, Harris is allowing a quarterback rating of just 48, which ranks as best in the NFL.
Overall, the Broncos defense is giving up 23.6 points per game, which ranks 18th in the NFL. The Chiefs are averaging just over 26 points per game at home, where they are 4-1 this season.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson explained how to game plan for an opponent the second time around in a season.
"I think if you look at it from a concept standpoint, you say OK, this was good, this wasn't good," Pederson explained. "When you put a game plan together the second time for a division opponent, you want to keep those same concepts because we're not going to change much, they're not going to change much. Just because it's late in the season, you are who you are.
"We just have to take the good, bring it forward to Sunday night, take the bad, either tweak it, change it or get rid of it. And then go play."
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith knows there's a lot on the line on Sunday night, and he said the Chiefs are ready for the challenge.
"I think just with our history especially these last two years, I felt like there have been some really close games," Smith said. "Hard fought and physical, and that's what you expect out of division games. It certainly felt like looking back, yeah we had our opportunities and had our fair share of times to make plays and change the game. "We're looking to make those plays this time around."
