Broncos vs Chiefs: Players Who Will Determine Result of Critical AFC West Battle

The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs are familiar foes in somewhat unfamiliar situations as they meet for an AFC West battle in Week 13.

Both the Broncos and Chiefs have not done much in the way of losing this season, but both come off losses for their second clash in three weeks.

The Broncos are 9-2 but stunned after a late loss to New England in Week 12. The same story applies to the Chiefs, a team with a matching record and a late loss to San Diego a week ago.

These two met in Week 11 from Sports Authority Field at Mile High, where Denver defended its home turf with a 27-17 win.

Things have changed since then as the two meet from Arrowhead Stadium, but like last time, a few key players will dictate the end result. Here are three names to watch for on Sunday afternoon.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos

We all know what Peyton Manning brings to the table each game, but a strong run game against a defense such as Kansas City's will make his life much easier.

Knowshon Moreno has experienced a career renaissance of sorts in 2013. He has rushed for 825 yards and nine touchdowns with a 4.4 per-carry average.

In Week 11 against Kansas City, Moreno carried the ball 27 times for 79 yards—good for a 2.7 average.

Those are numbers that must improve on the road. Moreno is listed as probable for the game per Mike Klis of the Denver Post:

In a noisy environment and cold weather (a combo Manning is known to have issues with), Moreno must average well over the 2.7 yards in order to keep the Kansas City defense honest.

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

It is rather simple—Alex Smith must elevate his game to beat the Broncos.

Doug Gottlieb of CBS Sports has an interesting stat on Smith:

The problem? Denver ranks No. 1 in the NFL with an average of 330.5 passing yards per game, 451.5 total yards per game and 39 points per game.

Denver passed the magic number in its 27-17 win a few weeks back. Smith put up a 21-of-45 day with two touchdowns. While it is great Smith did not turn the ball over, his 5.1 yards per attempt speak to his inability to throw the ball down the field.

Against a Denver defense that ranks in the bottom five against the pass (283.2 yards allowed per game), Smith must take deep shots and put together a solid performance if the Chiefs are to win.

Tamba Hali, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City is in trouble defensively.

Through their first seven games, the Chiefs racked up 35 sacks. Much of the production came from outside linebackers Justin Houston (11) and Tamba Hali (9). In their last four games, the Chiefs have just two sacks.

The Chiefs failed to sack Manning in the last meeting, which allowed him to throw for 323 yards and a touchdown.

To make matters worse, Hali is hobbled but will play per ESPN's Adam Teicher.

Houston, however, will not, according to Lindsay Jones of USA Today:

Horrible news for the Chiefs, as this means the Broncos can focus the majority of their attention on Hali and potentially hold Kansas City without a sack once more.

If Hali can consistently pressure Manning, combined with the cold weather and hostile environment, the Chiefs can force a few mistakes and keep their offense in the game.

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