Chiefs look to play spoilers to Broncos

NEW YORK: Late December has arrived and the Kansas City Chiefs are playing out the string while the Denver Broncos are focused on grabbing the No.1 seed in the AFC.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

(AFP)

Itis a major change of the script as the Broncos look to protect their AFC West lead when they visit the Chiefs tonight for a Christmas night kickoff.

Denver (12-3) hold a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Chargers in the division race and are tied with the New England Patriots for the top record in the conference. The Broncos hold the tiebreaker edge over New England.

Denver are coming off a 34-20 loss to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday that halted an 11-game winning streak. Ifthe Broncos lose again tonight, then the Week 18 battle with the host Chargers will be for the AFC West crown.

“Bvery one of these players understands the significance of where we're at with two games left in the season,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said yesterday.

Denver have their sights on sweeping the Chiefs (6-9) for the first time since 2014, and the players are aware a stumble could be disastrous.