Wednesday, September 15 Updated: September 16, 2:02 PM ET Baxter Bits: Broncos vs. Chiefs By Russell S. Baxter Special to ESPN.com |
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The Broncos invade noisy Arrowhead Stadium as the Chiefs and Broncos square off once again. While Kansas City still has the edge in the overall standings (43-35, including playoffs), the Broncos own a three-game edge (11-8) in the 19 overall meetings during the '90s and have prevailed in five of the last six battles (including playoffs) dating back to the teams' second meeting in 1996. A year ago, the Broncos swept this bitter rivalry for the first time since 1991. On a Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium (Week 11), Broncos' QB Bubby Brister (38 yards) and RB Terrell Davis (41 yards) ran for first-quarter touchdowns and PK Jason Elam added three field goals as Mike Shanahan's club embarrassed the Chiefs, 30-7. Three weeks later at Mile High Stadium (Week 14), Kansas City jumped out to a 21-7 first-quarter advantage and later took a 31-21 lead with 9:25 to play, but since-departed Broncos' QB John Elway led his team to a pair of late touchdowns, including a 24-yard TD toss to TE Shannon Sharpe with 3:34 to play, to give the Broncos a wild 35-31 win. Despite last year's win, the Broncos are 4-6 in their last 10 visits to Arrowhead Stadium (including playoffs) dating back to 1990. Numbers: In eight games vs. Kansas City (including playoffs), Broncos' RB Terrell Davis has carried 185 times for 815 yards (4.4 avg.) and 9 touchdowns, plus caught 17 passes for 150 yards--rushing for 100 or more yards in 5 of those 8 contests. In five NFL seasons (62 regular-season games) from 1995-99, Davis has rushed for 6,474 yards (104.4 YPG) and 56 touchdowns. Including playoffs, the Broncos have scored 30 or more points in 36-of-73 games under head coach Mike Shanahan (1995-99). Including playoffs, the Chiefs have scored 525 points in 20 wins, 204 points in 14 losses dating back to '97. Since 1993 (including playoffs), Chiefs' quarterbacks have thrown 90 touchdown passes compared to just 28 interceptions in 64 victories, while throwing just 32 TD passes and 56 interceptions in 39 defeats. Including playoffs, the Chiefs have totaled 54 takeaways in 20 wins, 17 takeaways in 14 losses dating back to '97. After giving up just 63 points in their first 5 games (4-1), the Chiefs have allowed 320 points in their last 12 contests (3-9) dating back to '98. The Chiefs have committed 30 turnovers in their last 13 games dating back to '98. Things To Look For: There are those who will point fingers at the inexperience of Brian Griese and the loss of John Elway for the Broncos' disappointing home loss to the Dolphins, but it was the Broncos' shaky defense that looked unprepared for Miami's attack. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they don't possess enough weapons to keep pace with a angry Denver club that will look to make amends in a big way. Etc.: Including playoffs, the Broncos have won 12 straight games vs. divisional competition. Their last loss vs. an AFC West opponent was a 24-22 setback at Kansas City in Week 12 of '97. After going 3-5 vs. AFC West foes during his first season with Denver in 1995, Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan is 21-4 vs. divisional competition (including 1-0 in playoffs) since 1996
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