Who is the Broncos’ main rival?

Traditionally, it’s been the Raiders. But with the Chiefs’ recent rise to prominence, it shouldn’t take Denver native and star running back Philip Lindsay to remind Broncos Country that Kansas City is now enemy No. 1.

Lindsay did so this week anyways, ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the highly favored Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos enter as double-digit underdogs and having lost eight straight to Kansas City.

“We’ve got to change that,” Lindsay said. “This organization, for a long time, has been on top. And we’ve got to get back to that. If we want to do that, we’ve got to beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been on top of the division for a long time (in football time), so we need to find a way to win this game and start a streak for ourselves.”

Kansas City’s en route to four straight AFC West titles — it clinched this year’s crown with an upset of the Patriots in Foxborough last week — and are 39-19 against the Broncos at home. Denver’s last road win in the series, and last win in the series overall, was on Sept. 17, 2015, during the Super Bowl 50 championship season.

And thanks to Kansas City’s stretch of dominance over Denver at the beginning of the series, the Broncos have some ground to make up on the overall head-to-head record, which the Chiefs lead 64-54.

The Chiefs, then the Dallas Texans, won their inaugural game against the Broncos on Oct. 30, 1960, in Denver. They won the first eight games in the series, and took 25 of the opening 27 games against Denver.

More recently, Kansas City beat Denver 30-6 at Mile High on Oct. 17, the Broncos’ most lopsided loss of the season.

— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post

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What’s on tap?

Broncos: At Kansas City Chiefs, 11 a.m. Sunday, KCNC-4; 850 AM, 94.1 FM

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Must-Read

For players in Denver’s young core, this trip to Kansas City is their Super Bowl in 2019. Read more…

“You hear people in the office talking positive about the Broncos again, you hear more chatter at restaurants just in the last week.” Read more…

If Lock is the no-doubt guy going into the off-season, left tackle makes a ton of sense in the first round. But so does cornerback (even if Chris Harris stays) and receiver (to join a young group led by Courtland Sutton). Read more…

Quick Hits

+ Jeremiah Attaochu making a name for himself in Denver as another talented addition to Broncos’ linebacking corps

+ Short on defensive linemen, Broncos sign Kyle Peko, promote Deyon Sizer

+ Broncos Journal: During offensive struggles, noise “didn’t really bother” Rich Scangarello

+ Whirlwind of three starters marks T.C. McCartney’s first year as Broncos quarterbacks coach

+ Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against the Chiefs and predictions

+ Broncos Briefs: Injuries depleting defensive line depth entering Chiefs game

+ Von Miller says MCL is “way better” than last week

+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.

Ask the Expert

+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran.

By The Numbers

Ep. 112

In this episode of the First-and-Orange podcast, Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran evaluate Drew Lock through the quarterback’s first two NFL starts. Listen here…

Parting Shot

“There are no guarantees, right?” the two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver with the Broncos said after he was introduced as the UNC Bears’ new football coach. “There’s only opportunity.” Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.