Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks depleted, but he's still playing and the Broncos are still winning games. They experienced a slight bump in the road in their last outing, falling to the Indianapolis Colts in a close game. That was their first loss of the season, and Manning did not have a good game overall.
Chiefs vs. Broncos 2015 picks and predictions: Experts nearly unanimous in picking Denver
Most experts think the Broncos will get back in the win column against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Manning has had plenty of poor games this year, but Denver’s defense has been able to bail him out time and time again. The Broncos have one of the best, most aggressive defenses in the league and Manning hasn’t had to put up the insane offensive production he managed back in 2013.
But the Broncos do need him to step it up a little bit. Manning has thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions and just nine touchdowns this season. The only time he’s ever thrown more interceptions than touchdowns was his rookie season. If he throws two more picks, he’ll equal his season total from last year, and if he throws five more, he’ll have thrown the most picks in a season since he tossed 19 of them in 2002.
On Sunday, Manning and the Broncos will face the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. The division isn't exactly wide open, as the Chiefs have a 3-5 record. They're third in the division, behind the Broncos and the 4-4 Oakland Raiders. Kansas City has struggled on both sides of the ball, and has lost its only division game thus far (to the Broncos in Week 2).
As long as the Broncos continue to beat their divisional rivals (2-0), they will be fine. The goal right now should be keeping Manning healthy, while the Chiefs still probably feel like there’s a shot at the playoffs given the relative weakness of teams beyond the division leaders in the AFC.
As far as experts are concerned, you’ll only find a couple who think the Chiefs can win the game. At CBS Sports, Jason La Canfora is the only one of eight experts picking the Chiefs over the Broncos. At ESPN, 11 of the 13 experts think the Broncos will get back in the win column and continue their impressive run. Here at SB Nation, the six experts were joined by the OddsShark computer in picking the Broncos as well.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | OddsShark | |
| KC vs. DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN | DEN |
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