KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- By sundown Sunday, barring a rare NFL tie, either Kansas City or two-time defending Super Bowl champion Denver will be 0-2 and in trouble.

For the Chiefs, coming off a 7-9 season and groping to establish their identity under a new staff, an 0-2 start could be emotionally crippling. Could first-year head coach Gunther Cunningham still sell his rah-rah brand of high intensity?

But starting the post-John Elway era with two straight losses might be even worse for the Broncos. Besides testing the confidence of a team adjusting to the retirement of one of the game's great quarterbacks, it would also tear a huge hole in a tough, ornery schedule.

After visiting loud and inhospitable Arrowhead Stadium the week following their 38-21 season opening loss to Miami, the Broncos go to Tampa Bay, then come home to face the New York Jets. Later, games at Jacksonville and New England and a home game against Minnesota will further challenge the Elway-less Broncos to show the world they can win with second-year quarterback Brian Griese.

"When you're 0-2, that's a very bad thing," said Denver safety Tyrone Braxton. "It's definitely a crucial game for both teams. But we don't look down the line. We're not looking ahead to anybody. The only people on our mind right now are the Chiefs."

Mike Shanahan is determined not to let his Broncos worry about anything beyond this week.

"You've got to get ready for the team you're playing," said the Denver coach. "There are teams that started 0-4 and made the playoffs. But you'd better have the mindset for the long haul."

In the 53-year-old Cunningham's debut as a head coach last week, the favored Chiefs fell behind the Chicago Bears 20-3 before losing 20-17 in Soldier Field.

"I look at it as we lost the game where we could have been the division leader and one game up already," said wide receiver Derrick Alexander, whose six catches for 154 yards and a touchdown provided the only offensive spark.

"We can't lose anymore. We lost a game that we shouldn't have and we can't lose anymore."

Cunningham, who spent the past four seasons as Marty Schottenheimer's defensive coordinator, loves to blitz and play aggressive defense. He made it clear he was unhappy with the passive approach the Chiefs displayed in the first half against the Bears. And he's certain to order an all-out blitz package thrown at Griese, who will be making just his second NFL start and first on the road.

"It's going to be crazy," said Braxton. "It's going to be crazy and loud. They'll try to put pressure on the quarterback, try to get a lot of turnovers. Brian needs his poise this week. If he can be poised in Arrowhead, I think he can be poised anywhere. It is one of the toughest places, if not the toughest place to play on the road."

It was not Griese who caused the Broncos to lose to Miami. The son of former Miami star Bob Griese hit 24 of 40 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. And he was not intercepted, which was more than embattled Elvis Grbac can say.

Grbac's numbers were not that bad at Chicago _ 20-for-42 for 283 yards, with one interception and one TD. But after the Chiefs closed to 20-17 with more than 12 minutes to go, he missed his last eight passes.

If he falters early, the crowd could turn ugly. It did several times last year as a quarterback controversy developed between Grbac and fan favorite Rich Gannon, who eventually signed a free agent contract with Oakland.

"I expect the worst," Grbac said. "I've already talked with some of the guys about that. The boos will probably come out."

The fans might already have their throats warmed up booing Dale Carter. The Chiefs' starting cornerback for the previous seven years, Carter signed with Denver and will be making his first appearance in Arrowhead as a Bronco.

"He doesn't have anything to prove, but he's probably going to come in trying to make us look real bad. And he has the capability of doing that," said safety Reggie Tongue. "It's going to be weird seeing him on the other side of the field."

DENVER Season schedule and results

KANSAS CITY Season schedule and results

September 13 Miami L 21-38 September 19 @Kansas City 4:15pm ET September 26 @Tampa Bay 1:00pm ET October 3 NY Jets 4:15pm ET October 10 @Oakland 4:15pm ET October 17 Green Bay 4:15pm ET October 24 @New England 1:00pm ET October 31 Minnesota 4:15pm ET November 7 @San Diego 4:15pm ET November 14 @Seattle 8:20pm ET November 22 Oakland 9:00pm ET December 5 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 13 @Jacksonville 9:00pm ET December 19 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 25 @Detroit 4:15pm ET January 2 San Diego 4:15pm ET

September 12 @Chicago L 17-20 September 19 Denver 4:15pm ET September 26 Detroit 1:00pm ET October 3 @San Diego 4:15pm ET October 10 New England 1:00pm ET October 21 @Baltimore 8:20pm ET October 31 San Diego 1:00pm ET November 7 @Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 14 @Tampa Bay 1:00pm ET November 21 Seattle 1:00pm ET November 28 @Oakland 4:15pm ET December 5 @Denver 4:15pm ET December 12 Minnesota 8:20pm ET December 18 Pittsburgh 12:40pm ET December 26 @Seattle 4:05pm ET January 2 Oakland 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.