Info Sheet For Tonights Game (monday)

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Kansas City and Denver have averaged 60.8 points per game in the past three series meetings. This year, the Chiefs and Broncos spent a good deal of time and money shoring up their defenses.

The Chiefs came close to blanking the New York Jets in Week 1 and then stopped Oakland on the 10-yard line last week in the final minutes for a 23-17 victory. The Broncos allowed San Diego just 41 yards last week in the second quarter during their 20-17 win.

Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil would have been satisfied with a 2-2 split when he took a peek at his team's early schedule. The Chiefs now have a chance to go up two games on all of their division foes if they can win Monday at Invesco Field

Denver, 7-2 SU against Kansas City at home since 1996, hasn't lost to Kansas City at home since 2000. In fact, the home has won seven of the last eight games in the series. The Broncos have the best home record in the AFC since 1995.

Denver has averaged 217 rushing yards in the last four meetings in Colorado. The Chiefs are more equipped to handle the bootleg plays that burned them in years past with the addition of speedy linebackers Derrick Johnson and Kendrell Bell.

The Broncos, who had a running back rush for at least 1,100 yards in nine of their past 10 seasons, don't have anyone on pace for 500 yards entering their third game. Tailback Mike Anderson, who has essentially played one game because of a painful rib cage, is Denver's leading ground gainer with 54 yards.

The Kansas City offense is actually ahead of where it was in the first two games of 2004, a season in which it led the league in total offense. But the Chiefs may once again be without All-Pro tackle Willie Roaf, who's been out with a strained hamstring.

Blitzing was a key part of the package when the Broncos shut down the Chargers in the second half. That defensive strategy may not work against Kansas City quarterback Trent Green.

Green has a quick release and typically is not bothered by the blitz. He has been pressured 18 times this season and has completed 13 passes for 175 yards on those downs. Green has been blitzed an average of nine times per game, tied for 23rd among quarterbacks.

High-profile defensive backs Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight have helped Kansas City limit opponents to 24 points in two games after allowing more than 27 per game in 2004.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan re-signed 2004 starter Quentin Griffin this week. Griffin, among the final cuts in training camp, had 156 yards and three touchdowns in last year's win over the Chiefs.

Kansas City has cashed at an 11-5-1 clip as underdogs and has come away with the cash in 33 of its last 50 in September. The Broncos have posted a 5-13-1 ATS report card as Monday night home favorites.

The last seven series meetings have zipped 'over'. Denver has topped the total in 36 of 51 at home when the number was between 42 1/2 and 49.