Chiefs-Broncos scouting report

When the Chiefs run

Jamaal Charles carried just twice for 4 yards before leaving the week two game at Denver because of an ankle sprain, but Knile Davis ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Alex Smith scrambled for five times for 42 yards as the Chiefs controlled the ball for 36 minutes. The Chiefs, who rank No. 4 in rushing offense, will be going against the No. 2 defense against the run, though Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, their leading tackler, is coming off a concussion.

When the Chiefs pass

It will be interesting to see how much recently signed Jason Avant can contribute to an offense that still is without a touchdown catch by a wide receiver. The Chiefs, who rank No. 31 in passing, are hopeful that speedy Donnie Avery will be available after missing seven games because of hernia surgery. Pass protection will be paramount by the Chiefs’ inconsistent offensive line as the Broncos’ Von Miller (10 sacks) and DeMarcus Ware (nine) will be in Alex Smith’s face. The Broncos are hurting in their secondary as starting cornerback Aqib Talib is questionable (hamstring) and nickel back Kayvon Webster (shoulder) is out.

When the Broncos run

Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman are injured, but second-year man C.J. Anderson, rushed for 167 yards against Miami last week, the most ever by an undrafted Denver back and most by a Bronco in 17 games. Last week, the Chiefs surrendered 112 yards to unknown Oakland back Latavius Murray, and they’ve fallen to 26th in the league in rush defense after allowing season-high 204 yards to Seattle and 179 to the Raiders.

When the Broncos pass

Peyton Manning. Is there anything else to say? Manning is 12-1 in his career against the Chiefs, and he completed 21 of 26 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the week two victory in Denver. The Broncos rank second to Manning’s former team, Indianapolis, in passing offense, and Manning leads the NFL with 34 touchdown passes to nine interceptions. Manning has thrown for 300 yards in six games, but the Chiefs, ranked No. 1 in pass defense, have yet to allow a 300-yard passer this season. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas have been matchup problems for the Chiefs, who are without safety Eric Berry for the rest of the season.

Special teams

When the Chiefs and Broncos meet, it’s always a battle of the Colquitt brothers — the Chiefs’ Dustin and Broncos’ Britton. Dustin is averaging 40.3 yards net punting with an NFL-best 24 of 49 inside the 20: Britton is averaging 39.6 net 18 of 50 inside the 20. Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos has made 13 straight field goal attempts; the Broncos just signed former Chiefs kicker Connor Barth after releasing rookie Brandon McManus.

Coaching

Chiefs coach Andy Reid has had the benefit of three extra days to prepare for this game, but much of that extra time was occupied by dealing with the shocking illness of Eric Berry. Denver’s John Fox is 5-0 against the Chiefs as the Broncos’ coach, including 3-0 since Reid came to Kansas City.

X-factor

The Chiefs and Arrowhead Stadium will be filled with emotion as the players dedicate their effort to Berry, who is out for the season while undergoing evaluation for possible lymphoma. The Broncos are 2-3 on the road, beating only the Jets and Raiders.

Bottom line: Chiefs 26-24

It’s hard to pick the Chiefs to beat Manning until they actually prove they can do so. But their season is riding on this game. A win puts them in a tie for first in the AFC West. A loss could cripple their playoff hopes.

Randy Covitz, rcovitz@kcstar.com

This story was originally published November 29, 2014 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Chiefs-Broncos scouting report."