Scouting report: Chiefs vs. Broncos, 7:25 p.m. Thursday at Arrowhead

When the Chiefs run

The Texans managed to keep Jamaal Charles in check on Sunday, and the Chiefs schemed around the Texans’ strategy with quick-hitting passes to the backs in the flat that served as an extension of the running game. The Chiefs’ offensive line is still developing chemistry — the opener was the first game the starting five has played together — so they may need to do more of the quick passes against a stout Denver front that held the Baltimore Ravens to 73 yards in 23 carries.

When the Chiefs pass

The Chiefs’ passing game looked outstanding last week, as quarterback Alex Smith completed 22 of 33 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns. What’s more, while Smith was sacked twice last week, the Chiefs only allowed four quarterback hits against a strong Texans pass rush. Denver, however, poses a problem. They boast one of the league’s best cornerback duos in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. and their pass rush recorded two sacks and nine quarterback hits against the Ravens. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, the Broncos’ elite edge-rush tandem, did most of the damage, but the Broncos also have two young pass rushers who can come in and pinch hit in Shaquil Barrett and former Mizzou star Shane Ray. Interior linemen Antonio Smith and Malik Jackson can get after the passer as well, which means the Chiefs’ offensive line will have its hands full.

When the Broncos run

The running game is the staple of Denver coach Gary Kubiak’s offense, but the Broncos struggled to get much going against the Ravens, as Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson split 24 carries evenly for 70 yards. Meanwhile, the Chiefs — who were gashed against the run at times last year — looked much better against the Texans. The return of inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Mike DeVito was huge, as was the return of Pro Bowl nose tackle Dontari Poe, who underwent back surgery in July.

When the Broncos pass

Peyton Manning is 13-1 against the Chiefs in his career, but he looked mortal against the Ravens, as he was sacked four times and hit five more. The Chiefs, meanwhile, racked up five sacks and four quarterback hits against the Texans, so they should be able to generate enough pressure to disrupt Manning. He still has his fair share of weapons, however, and one of them — receiver Demaryius Thomas — has tortured the Chiefs over the last few years with his size (6 feet 3, 229 pounds) and ball skills. Fellow receiver Emmanuel Sanders is diminutive (5-11, 180) but is a super-tough cover because of his savvy and quick feet. Look for Manning, whose accuracy fell off on deep-to-intermediate routes against Baltimore, to attack the Chiefs’ young corners on short routes and bunch formations.

Special teams

The Chiefs’ special teams were on point against the Texans. The Chiefs won the battle of field position, thanks to the efforts of punter Dustin Colquitt (four punts inside the 20) and punt returner DeAnthony Thomas (16.2-yard average), while kicker Cairo Santos has shown significant improve on kickoffs, drilling all six for touchbacks. Santos made two of three field goals, while Denver’s Brandon McManus went four for four. So Denver probably has the edge in the kicking game, but the Chiefs have the edge in the return and punting categories.

Coaching

Andy Reid has a career record of 151-105-1 in 17 years as a coach, while Denver’s Gary Kubiak is 61-64 in his ninth year. The Broncos have won the division the last four years, but the staff that led the charge — spearheaded by coach John Fox, who now coaches the Chicago Bears — is no longer around. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are entering their third straight year with the same coaching staff. Continuity is important in football, and they have it.

X-factor

The Chiefs are opening the Arrowhead Stadium parking lots at 2:30 p.m. This is the Chiefs’ first primetown showdown of the year, and it’s against an arch rival. By the way, this will mark Eric Berry’s first regular-season home game since he defeated Hodgkin lymphoma this offseason, and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson has a good chance of setting the team’s career tackle record on his home field. The place will be rocking.

Bottom line: Chiefs 27-16

The Broncos are chasing history, as they can set the NFL record for consecutive division road victories with 13. But a more important number is zero — Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s victories against Denver since 2013. Chances are Reid has saved up some of his best stuff for this game, and that — plus a hungry defense and a juiced-up crowd — should be enough to finally end the Chiefs’ struggles against the Broncos.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Scouting report: Chiefs vs. Broncos, 7:25 p.m. Thursday at Arrowhead."