The Denver Broncos are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) Sunday, and it is a must-win game for the Broncos (8-7).  Their playoff hopes are still alive, barely.  After losing their third straight game last week against the Eagles, the Broncos playoff chances almost disappeared.  To still make it, the Broncos obviously have to win this game but they also need the Jets, Ravens, and Steelers to lose.  The first part should be easy, as the Chiefs give up 380 yards per game including 161 on the ground.  Josh McDaniels is benching Brandon Marshall, but the Broncos don’t need much out of their passing game since the Chiefs cannot stop the run.  The Broncos have a very strong running game and average 116 rushing yards per game.  They may rush for close to 200 in this one, with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter splitting the carries.

On defense, the Broncos need to shut down Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.  Charles is averaging 132 rushing yards per game in the Chiefs last three contests, and if the Broncos can shut him down it makes things even harder for the Chiefs’ struggling passing game.  If Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel gets no run-support, he will have to pass more increasing the odds of an interception.  He has thrown 15 picks this season, so the Broncos secondary should be ready to make some plays.  The Broncos have more incentive to win this game and are the better team, so they should not have a problem with the Chiefs.

PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 10

The Denver Broncos are hosting the Oakland Raiders Sunday, and they should have a similar result as their first matchup where they won 23-3.  The Broncos offense looked very strong last game, especially Brandon Marshall and the passing game.  Marshall caught an NFL-record 21 passes, amounting for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.  If Orton can continue to find Marshall the Broncos should be able to cruise to an easy win.

On defense, the Broncos need to pressure the Raiders’ quarterback Charlie Frye.  Frye is making his first start of the season since Bruce Gradkowski is hurt.  The Raiders have lost all faith in JaMarcus Russell, so Frye is getting the start despite having a career 70.4 QB rating.  They will likely try and run the ball a lot so Frye doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to make mistakes.  The Raiders aren’t particularly good at running the ball either though, so the Broncos should have no problem in this game.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 24, Oakland Raiders 10

The Denver Broncos (8-4) will be trying to be the first team of the 2009 season to beat the Indianapolis Colts (12-0).  Peyton Manning has been great for the Colts all season long, so the Broncos need to be ready for a stellar passing attack.  They average over 300 yards passing per game, and they have proved that they don’t need a great running attack to open up their passing game.  They average 87 rushing yards per game, but that doesn’t mean the Broncos can only focus on their passing game.  In his last five games, Colts’ running back Joseph Addai has been averaging well over 4 yards per carry, so the Broncos need to be ready for him as well.

The Broncos are going to need to put some points up if they want to keep up with Manning and the Colts.  Kyle Orton will need to step it up, as the quarterback has thrown six interceptions in the past five games.   If the Broncos fall behind, they will need Orton and the passing game to keep them in the game.  The running game has been great all season, so Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should find a lot of success against a Colts defense that gives up 112 rushing yards per game.  Moreno and Buckhalter are coming off a great game last week where they combined for 199 rushing yards.  This is an interesting matchup, a big passing game versus a big running game, but I don’t think the Broncos’ running attack will top the Peyton Manning.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Indianapolis Colts 31, Denver Broncos 21

The Denver Broncos (7-4) are on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs (3-8) Sunday.  The Broncos should definitely win this game, and the running backs should be able to handle most of the offensive load.  With Kyle Orton still feeling the affects of a sprained ankle, the Broncos will be relying heavily on the run.  Good news is that the Chiefs are terrible at stopping the run, giving up 135 rushing yards per game.  Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should have big games for the Broncos.

The Broncos defense did an excellent job against the New York Giants last week, so I don’t see them having too much of a problem handling the Chiefs offense that only averages 270 total yards per game.  Jamaal Charles is the only running back that is healthy for the Chiefs and he has been decent for them, but the Broncos should be able to handle him and the running game.  Matt Cassel and the Chiefs passing game is not very impressive, so that wont be a problem either.

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

Things have not been going well for the Denver Broncos (6-3) lately and unfortunately they are matched up this week against one of the hottest teams in the league right now, the San Diego Chargers (6-3).  Broncos’ quarterback Kyle Orton has been listed as a game-time decision, but he sprained his ankle pretty bad last week and I’m not so sure he will be able to go.  Even if Orton does go, I think he will be limited by that ankle and the Broncos may just be better off starting Chris Simms.  Simms did play awful last week, completing 3-13 passes and throwing an interception.  He has had a full week to prepare with the first team though, so he should be able to do much better than what he showed last week.  Whether its Orton or Simms, the Broncos will need a huge day out of their running backs.  Correll Buckhalter has been ineffective lately, and is battling a knee injury which has him listed as probable.  Knowshown Moreno has been running well lately and is coming off a 97 yard performance last game.

The Broncos defense has been very good against the pass all season, but they have not faced very many quarterbacks as good as Philip Rivers.  Rivers can put up some big numbers, so don’t expect the Broncos to hold him to their 186 yard average.  They also have LaDainian Tomlinson coming off his best game of the season, so he can open things up for the passing game.  The Chargers average 26 points per game, and although I think the defense will be able to contain them I don’t think the Broncos offense will be able to put enough points on the board to keep up with the Chargers, especially with an injured Orton/Simms starting at quarterback.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 24, Denver Broncos 17