Broncos' defense struts its stuff in beating Chiefs

The dazzling defensive demonstration definitely was worthy of the league-leading Chiefs.Only, comma, it was put on by the hometown Broncos, exclamation mark. The Broncos punctuated the Chiefs in the "Game of the Millennium" 27-17, period.On a Sunday night when the moon above was full, the Chiefs below generally came up empty against the Orange's most crushing defense of the season. The last time the Broncos held an opponent to as few as 17 points was last season."It was a good, tough hard-fought win at home," Broncos coach Jack Del Rio said. "We did enough to win. We knew they had a good defense coming in. Our offense did a good job of moving the ball and getting points."Arriving at this crucial divisional matchup in the 10th of 16 games, the Chiefs were allowing only 12.3 points per, and nobody had scored more than 17.Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, who had been managing well in nine consecutive victories, completed only 21-of-45 passes against a dominant defense that produced three sacks for 30 yards, five quarterback hits, plenty of hurry-hurries and rock-solid coverage.Isuzu Auto Parts Shaun Phillips, Danny Trevathan, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Wesley Woodyard and the interior linemen no longer belong in the league's low end. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos scored 27 in a quality-control performance by Peyton Manning (323 yards, but only one touchdown throw) and his offense. Interestingly,canada goose jacket women Knowshon Moreno outgained Jamaal Charles 79-78 in rushing yards, and Montee Ball added 25 and two short touchdown bursts. Demaryius Thomas had a 70-yard reception among his five for 121 yards.Of course, these teams play again in a fortnight in K.C., so this was just a warm-up.With the Chiefs and the Broncos both 9-1, a tiebreaker to decide the champions of the AFC West and the No. 1 seed in the AFC becomes a genuine issue. It's quite possible that the common opponents of the Broncos and the Chiefs could be brought into play.And there have been a lot of common — very common — opponents on both schedules.After the Sunday afternoon results, the Broncos and the Chiefs combined have beaten only one team barely above .500. The Eagles, who had lost to both Denver and K.C.,DIY cupcake wrappers whipped Washington to ascend to 6-5. 

The Broncos have lost to the 7-3 Colts. The Chiefs confront the Colts in Kansas City in their next-to-last game. Sunday, the Broncos play at the Patriots, 7-2. The Chiefs are at home against the Chargers.The Chiefs and the Broncos will face 14 common opponents, including Oakland and San Diego each twice.The only differences are the Broncos have New England and Baltimore, the Chiefs have Buffalo and Cleveland. The Broncos blew out the Ravens in the opener, and the Chiefs have defeated the Bills and the Browns.The Broncos and the Chiefs could end up, realistically, 14-2, 13-3 or 12-4.What happens then?The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, and if the Broncos prevail again at Arrowhead Stadium, the matter is settled.Should the teams split and have the same overall record at the conclusion of the regular season, the second tiebreaker is division record. The Chiefs and the Broncos could be 5-1, although the Chiefs' finale in San Diego and the Broncos' 16th game, in Oakland, might be very important.Sexy Lingerie FactoryWhat's the next tiebreaker? Common opponents. The fourth tiebreaker is conference record, and that could be a deal-breaker for the Broncos with a loss in Foxborough.The Chiefs have no more out-of-division conference games left.Yet, if the Broncos win over the Patriots, and Kansas City and Denver also have matching conference records, the tiebreaking measure goes to No. 5,Buy buy cheap Bench Outerwear Yoga Clothes, Custom Fit Stripe Shirt and more. and the Broncos would be secure.Is that clear as Mississippi River mud? Is the division uncertain and unpredictable?Yes.Did the victory by the Broncos Sunday night determine anything?