Here are 4 players to watch when the KC Chiefs host the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium

Sunday’s matchup between the Chiefs (7-4) and Denver Broncos (6-5) presents another chance for the Chiefs to add to their dominance over the rest of the AFC West.

Dating to the 2015 regular season, the Chiefs have won 11 straight against the Broncos. They’ve won five consecutive division titles.

On paper, the Chiefs should win Sunday’s night matchup at Arrowhead Stadium. But they actually have to play the game, right?

Here are some other players, besides Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other obvious stars, to keep an eye on Sunday.

Chiefs cornerback Mike Hughes

Hughes is worth monitoring not for what he might do on defense, but in his new role as the Chiefs’ primary punt returner. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub announced Thursday that he’s made a permanent switch from wide receiver Mecole Hardman to Hughes in hopes of sparking the return game. Will it work? Hughes time to show he’s the answer has arrived.

Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill

The Broncos have a trio of capable wide receivers in Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo mentioned Thursday that it’s impossible to double-team all of them, and he’s right. What the Chiefs can do, however, is ensure the safeties don’t allow the Broncos to get deep. And this is where Thornhill is needed: on the back end of coverage.

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater isn’t flashy, but he’s steady and can hurt a defense with his football smarts. The Chiefs faced Bridgewater in 2020 when he was with the Carolina Panthers, and he threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns, adding 19 yards rushing and a touchdown on two carries. He also has weapons in the passing game, as mentioned above.

Broncos rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II

The Chiefs will keep an eye on safety Justin Simmons, but Surtain is quickly emerging as a force to be dealt with, too. The Broncos’ pass defense ranks 10th in the league (224.2 yards allowed per game). Surtain has three interceptions and 11 passes defensed, tied for the team lead with Simmons. Mahomes would be wise to account for the rookie cornerback on every passing play.