My how things change. Last week against the Oakland Raiders the Kansas City Chiefs season looked much differently than it does today. The Chiefs were sitting at 5-2 and driving on the Raiders with a 10-0 lead in the first half. KC appeared to be cruising to a 6-2 record and, just as importantly, a two-and-a-half game lead on the Raiders and San Diego Chargers. That kind of lead at the halfway point of the season would be as close to wrapping up the division as you can get.
But....the Chiefs lost. Now they hold just a half-game lead over the Raiders and they're facing what appears to be the closest thing to a must-win you can get through just nine weeks of the season.
A win puts the Chiefs a full game ahead of the Raiders and two on the Chargers. A loss drops the Chiefs to a tie for first place in the AFC West with the Raiders and just a game ahead of the Chargers.
So you can see why this game is so important. The Chiefs have held a comfortable lead in the AFC West since they started 3-0 but for the first time this season they're starting to feel the pressure.
The Denver Broncos aren't a threat to make any noise in the division at this point but they can play spoiler to the Chiefs, which I imagine they would love to do. The Chiefs aren't in a must-win situation because we're just past the halfway point of the season and so much can change but it's close.
But if the Chiefs want to stay comfortable in the AFC West, and try to put the hammer down early, they'll need to win this game against the Broncos.