Ten questions about Chiefs-Broncos battle for AFC West lead - ESPN

Sixteen seasons and counting. That's the amount of time the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs have jointly controlled the AFC West.

The Chiefs started the run in 2010, with the Broncos winning the division from 2011 to 2015 and again last season. In between, the Chiefs won nine straight AFC West titles from 2016 to 2024, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the way for most of them. This season looks to continue the trend, as the 5-1 Chiefs and 5-2 Broncos have once again separated themselves from the Las Vegas Raiders and the winless Los Angeles Chargers.

So as the Chiefs and Broncos get set for their second regular-season meeting Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), AFC West supremacy seems to be on the line yet again. The Chiefs won the first meeting 31-10 in a Week 1 rout. So, Sunday's rematch will either place the Chiefs on the inside lane with a 1½-game lead and the head-to-head tiebreaker, or give Denver a half-game lead going into the back half of the season.

«They're a great team, are at the top of the league again,» Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey said. «And they've been the litmus test since I've been in the NFL. A great challenge for us. And I'm super excited for it.»

ESPN Chiefs reporter Nate Taylor and ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold break down the matchup below.

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Ramifications: Chiefs | Broncos
Walker vs. Broncos' run defense
Nix vs. Chiefs' pass rush
Chiefs WRs vs. Broncos DBs
X factors | How each team will win

A win Sunday will give the Chiefs a commanding lead in the race for the division before the halfway point of the season. Getting a leg up opening night was critical for the Chiefs, and this rematch is even more important if Kansas City wants to win the