The Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) playoff chances went out the window a few month ago, but they can spoil the Denver Broncos (8-7) season if they win.  The Broncos playoff hopes are still alive, but if the Chiefs win then the Broncos are out.  It will be a big challenge though, especially since the Broncos are playing for the playoff lives.  The Chiefs’ defense will really need to bring it, and they will need a much better performance than what they have done most of this season.  If they give up their average of 380 yards, then the Broncos will likely blow them out.  They Broncos average 118 rushing yards per contest, and the Chiefs give up 161 yards on the ground, so they need to be prepared for the Broncos running the ball early and often.  The Broncos best offensive player Brandon Marshall has been benched though, so the Broncos’ passing game is not as big of a threat giving them even more reason to run the ball.

The Chiefs really need to take care of the ball on offense, as turnovers have hurt them all season long.  The Chiefs have lost five in a row, and a big reason why is quarterback Matt Cassel and his 9 interceptions in those games.  Jamaal Charles has been carrying more than his load for the Chiefs’ running game in the past three games, with 299 yards in the past three games.  The Broncos give up 116 rushing yards per game, so Charles should continue to have success.  If only the Chiefs can get a big day passing then they may win, but with the Broncos fighting to get into the playoffs I don’t think the Chiefs have much chance.

PREDICTION:  Kansas City Chiefs 10, Denver Broncos 28

This is a bad match-up for the Chiefs this weekend in Cincinnati.  The Chiefs must attempt to run the ball to control the clock and this game will be a huge test for Jamaal Charles who has played great this season against a Bengals’ D that is only allowing 85.2 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.  If the Chiefs can’t get a running game going then the Chiefs are in big trouble as CBs Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall have 11 combined interceptions this season and the top receivers are likely Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers who will be covered by them.  Matt Cassel also has been forcing the football when he shouldn’t and he will likely be doing that again as the Bengals will be blitzing him a lot.

The Chiefs must go all out to stop Cedric Benson in this football game as the Chiefs can’t afford to have another back go off on them like Jerome Harrison of the Browns did last week.  Also, Larry Johnson will get some playing time in this game and you know damn well he’s going to be motivated to run all over his old team.  Carson Palmer will likely have a lot of time to throw the ball as the Chiefs only have 19 sacks this season and that is bad news as Chad Ocho Cinco will likely be dancing in the end zone a couple of times.

PREDICTION:  BENGALS 27, CHIEFS 13

The Chiefs are playing another team their own size tomorrow at Arrowhead Stadium.  The Chiefs will likely stick to giving the ball to Jamaal Charles a lot tomorrow as the Browns are giving up 148.1 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry.  But the Browns have tightened up against the run the last couple of weeks.  If the Chiefs give Matt Cassel time to throw the ball he should have a decent game.  But, the Browns sacked Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers 8 times last week and when Cassel gets a pass rush in his face he gets careless with the football.  The Browns will likely be doubling Chris Chambers a lot so the Chiefs need Dwayne Bowe to step up in his first game back from a league suspension.

The Chiefs better be ready for a challenge tomorrow because the Browns all of a sudden have found a running game.  Josh Cribbs remains the biggest weapon on the Browns so the Chiefs’ D and special teams will have to go all out to stop him.  The Chiefs must also get the pass rush going against Brady Quinn because he is effective when he has time to throw the ball.  He really doesn’t have a go-to receiver so the Chiefs will likely be using a lot of man to man coverage against the Browns.

PREDICTION:  BROWNS 23, CHIEFS 17

The Chiefs have to be licking their wounds after getting popped the last two weeks by a combined score of 87-27 by the Chargers and Broncos.  At least this week they will be playing someone their own size in the Buffalo Bills.  The Chiefs will come out running the ball this week against a Bills’ D that is allowing 172.1 yards rushing and 4.9 yards per carry.  That means that Jamaal Charles could have a awesome game so if you have him on your fantasy roster get him in the starting line-up this weekend.  The Chiefs must be able to give Matt Cassel time to throw the ball or he will be in big trouble against a Bills’ D that already has picked off 21 passes this season.

The Bills will also likely come out running the ball against the Chiefs who are giving up 143.8 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry this year.  The Bills will also take some shots down the field with Terrell Owens and Lee Evans so the Chiefs corners had better be ready.  The Chiefs are allowing 250.8 yards passing per game and they only have 9 interceptions so Ryan Fitzpatrick could also be in line for a big game for the Bills.

PREDICTION:  BILLS 30, CHIEFS 27

The Kansas City Chiefs (3-8) are hosting the Denver Broncos (7-4) Sunday, and their defense better be ready to stop the run.  Broncos’ quarterback Kyle Orton is playing through an ankle injury and the Broncos have a strong running game, so I expect them to run the ball a lot.  The Chiefs have not been good at stopping the run, so it doesn’t bode well for the Chiefs.  Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter will be splitting the carries for the Broncos, and both are capable of 100-yard days.

The Chiefs offense is going up against a pretty strong Broncos defense.  The Broncos held the Giants to 6 points, so I don’t see the Chiefs having too much success.  The Chiefs offense averages less than 200 yards passing and less than 100 yards rushing, and the Broncos defense gives up less than 300 total yards on average, so the Chiefs are not going to get much out of Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles.  This could be a blowout.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Kansas City Chiefs 7, Denver Broncos 28