The Denver Broncos will look to become the first team to defeat Andy Reid's unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs in their crunch AFC West clash on Sunday.
The teams face each other for the first time this season in a battle to try to seize the initiative to take the division crown and with it a home tie in the playoffs.
Despite losing head coach John Fox for potentially six weeks due to heart surgery, the Denver juggernaut showed no signs of slowing last week as they dominated the San Diego Chargers for three quarters in their 28-20 victory at Qualcomm Stadium.
Peyton Manning continued his charge towards the NFL season touchdown record with four more pass TDs to his name to move to 33 on the year, just 17 shy of Tom Brady's mark with seven games left to play this season.
Meanwhile his offense look likely to break the record set by the New England Patriots in 2007, as they are on pace for a staggering 654 points in total in their campaign.
However, it did come at a slight cost to Manning and the Broncos as he took a hit late in the game from Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget on his already damaged ankles.
Interim head coach Jack Del Rio and the 37-year-old are adamant that he will face the unbeaten Chiefs and that's where the battle line of this game will be drawn.
Kansas City's defense are ranked ninth in the NFL this season but that only accounts for yards. In terms of scoring they are the best as they've allowed their opponents on average just 12 points a game.
Reid's men also boast the highest sack total in the league with 36 in nine matches with linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali combining for 20 of those hits, with 11 and nine sacks respectively.
They have allowed just nine touchdown passes all season and have 12 interceptions to their name and have held quarterbacks to the lowest percentage completion in the league at 53.4%.
Something has to give between these teams. Will it be Manning and his offense or the Chiefs' defense?
Manning's injury makes him a vulnerable target, which should be music to the ears of Houston and Hali. He can counteract this by getting rid of the ball quickly and with players such as Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas it will certainly be his objective as has been this year.
However, the Chiefs may draw inspiration from the Indianapolis Colts - the only team to defeat to the Broncos this season - and press those receivers at the line of scrimmage, stopping the quick pass and giving their rushers time to get to Manning.
That's where the game will be decided. Chiefs cornerbacks Brandon Flowers, Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper against Broncos receivers Welker, Thomas and Eric Decker. Rushers Hali and Houston against offensive tackles Orlando Franklin and Chris Clark.
Whoever wins those battles wins the game and if it's the Chiefs it could be game set match and the number one seed in the playoffs for Reid's side, leaving the Broncos potentially with the second-best record but the fifth seed in AFC and a much trickier road to the Super Bowl.
If the Broncos, then it's game on in the division with six weeks to play. Both sides' seasons rest on this match at Sports Authority Field.
Simon Sinclair
