ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When you don't make the playoffs, the ring can't be the thing any more.

So as the Broncos (5-10) get set to close out the season Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, having missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, some of the Denver players are left with only personal goals to chase with the team poised for changes in the weeks and months to come.

"You don't want to put anything bad on film," Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib said. "No matter what, you don't put that bad film out there."

The Broncos will have two high-profile statistical chases going on against the Chiefs. C.J. Anderson is in pursuit of his first career 1,000-yard rushing season, and Demaryius Thomas hopes to reach 1,000 yards receiving for his sixth consecutive year.

"They're excited about reaching a couple plateaus, and they've earned it," Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. "The tough thing to achieve in this league, or in any sport, is to stay available throughout the season. That durability results in big numbers. Both of those guys have put up big numbers historically, and they have a chance to do it again this year."

Anderson's start on Sunday also will mark the first time he has played in every game of a season in his NFL career; he played in 15 tilts in two of his previous four seasons. And he needs 54 yards rushing against Kansas City to reach 1,000.

If he does reach the benchmark, Anderson will be the first Broncos running back to top 1,000 since Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1,038 yards in 2013. Anderson has consistently credited an improved offseason regimen from last spring and summer, which included a heavy dose of cycling, for getting him in position for a career year.

Anderson's 2016 season ended after seven games when he suffered a knee injury against the Houston Texans. Anderson said earlier this season that he used some of the time during his recovery to look at all the game video from last season to see what he could do better.

"I had surgery last year, so coming away with 1,000 for this season coming off of knee surgery I think is an accomplished and successful season," Anderson said. "Staying healthy, that helps too. We have one game to do it; I know the big boys want me to get it, and we want to get it."

Thomas would be just the second wide receiver in franchise history to achieve six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons; Broncos Ring of Famer Rod Smith is the other. But with both fellow wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer out of the lineup for Sunday, the Chiefs figure to give Thomas plenty of attention in any and all down-and-distance situations.

Thomas needs 108 yards against the Chiefs to reach the mark. He has had just one 100-yard game -- 133 yards in Week 5 against the New York Giants -- to this point in a troubled season on offense for the Broncos.

Also, Paxton Lynch will be starting just his second game at quarterback this season. The Broncos have used three starters behind center overall this season. There has been enough turnover that Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Lynch have each started consecutive games two different times this season.

"It's been a roller coaster with injuries of course and coaching ... decisions," Thomas said.

Thomas said he hoped there is a scenario in which both he and Anderson could reach their milestones, because it would probably mean the Broncos would win to close out the season.

"At the end of the day, he gets his and we win the game, that's all that really matters," Thomas said. "I would love to have my 1,000, but I'll come back stronger next year."