Chiefs-Broncos prediction: Can Kansas City make it 12 straight vs. AFC West rivals?

You know, there was a time when the Chiefs-Broncos series teetered back and forth, days when the longtime AFC West rivals would split their two annual meetings.

But it’s been a minute.

The Broncos won seven straight meetings from 2012-2015, before things turned on a November day in Denver. The Chiefs delivered Peyton Manning the worst afternoon of his NFL career — he finished 5 of 20 with four interceptions and a 0.0 quarterback rating, overshadowing a day he was meant to celebrate becoming the league’s all-time leader in passing yards.

The Broncos would actually win the Super Bowl that season, so it’s a mere footnote now, but their dominance over the Chiefs had ended.

The Chiefs dominance, however, had just begun, a baton passed along from Alex Smith to Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs will carry an 11-game winning streak in the series into the Sunday Night Football matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.

This one, though, is a bit different than it’s recent predecessors. It’s for first place in the AFC West — maybe more on the line than some had anticipated for a December matchup. The Chiefs (7-4) hold a one-game lead over every other division rival.

Look for the Chiefs to maintain that lead another week — though it might be a slightly closer game than the oddsmakers envision. The Broncos remain formidable on defense, even after trading veteran pass rusher Von Miller to the Rams. They’ve allowed only 17.8 points per game this season, third best in the NFL. They rank in the top-12 in both pass defense and rush defense. A Chiefs offense still trying to gather its momentum, in other words, has its work cut out.

Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. (Central)

TV/radio: NBC (Ch. 41)/WDAF (106.5 FM)

Line: Chiefs by 9 1/2

Sam McDowell’s prediction: Chiefs 24-17