The first and worst teams in the AFC West are trending in opposite directions, with the reeling after two straight home lo ses and the back on their feet after two straight victories.Before we reveal why Denver is primed to steal one when these two sides meet for the first time of the 2019 season, let's get you some details on how and when to Matt Dumba Jersey tune in:How to watchDate:Thursday, Oct. 17 |Time:8:20 p.m. ETLocation:Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colorado)TV:FOX, Network |Stream: , (Try for free)Follow:PreviewFew teams opened the year as well as the Chiefs, who stormed out to a 4-0 start with reigning MVP threatening a repeat bid as the league's top performer. But Kansas City has Christian Folin Jersey some legitimate question marks after falling for a second straight time at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6, with Mahomes nursing a sore ankle behind a sketchy offensive line, pa s-happy coach Andy Reid steering clear of a steady ground game and a Chris Jones-le s defense surrendering all kinds of big plays. Even with their banged-up depth, however, it's hard to be overly concerned, let alone completely write them off, because of how dynamic Mahomes can be alongside playmakers like and .The Broncos are e sentially the inverse of the Chiefs. They opened the year as one of the NFL's worst, with Vic Fangio's defense struggling to live up to lofty expectations, and the vaunted Mikael Granlund Jersey pa s rush failing to get pre sure and the Joe Flacco-led offense working hard for poor results. Since opening 0-4, however, Fangio's club has rebounded with intensity, edging their rival on the road in Week 5, then returning home to pummel the in a 16-0 shutout. Flacco remains a mediocre option under center, but Denver's "D" suddenly looks like the real deal -- or at least pretty close to it. That alone should make them a threat to stay alive in the West for a Mikko Koivu Jersey while longer. PredictionThe initial gut feeling here was to stick with the Chiefs and bank on their rebound. This is Mahomes and Reid and Hill and Kelce and everyone else, after all -- a group that's proven time and again it can go . Two straight lo ses also won't sit well with them, and the Broncos aren't exactly as scary as, say, the in terms of opposing offensive firepower.But you know what? This is a short week, a divisional game, and the Broncos are coming in hot at the front of their defense -- the last thing a banged-up and inconsistent Chiefs line wants to hear. Mahomes is already a little gimpy, and his numbers were noticeably worse after he took another hard hit to his ankle on Sunday. Unle s Reid does a 180 and completely recommits to Zach Parise Jersey the ground game this week, the Broncos are going to have chances to get after No. 15, and against the Chiefs secondary, Flacco might have a chance to post his best performance of the year.Pick:BroncosCheck out CBSSports.com on this game and the rest of Week 7, including from Pete Prisco and Will Brinson.