DENVER (AP) -- They're the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, reduced by injury, retirement and quarterback turmoil to a different designation at this point in the season.

"We're spoilers," Denver Broncos defensive end Harald Hasselbach said. "That's what we're doing now. We all know that. That's our role."

And that's what the Broncos (4-7) will be trying to do when AFC West rival Kansas City (6-5) visits Mile High Stadium on Sunday.

"The Chiefs are coming in here thinking they've got a chance for the playoffs," offensive tackle Tony Jones said. "If we could beat them, we could knock them out. We can be a spoiler right now."

In their last game, a 27-21 overtime victory over Oakland on Nov. 22, the Broncos damaged the Raiders' playoff hopes. Kansas City dealt the reeling Raiders another blow last week, rallying to a 37-34 win.

Sunday's game is the fourth straight within the division for the Broncos, who were idle last week. They beat San Diego and lost to Seattle before defeating Oakland.

Denver-Kansas City, Denver-Oakland and Kansas City-Oakland all are fierce rivalries in the division, ones that former Chief and current Bronco Neil Smith says are equal in intensity.

"I think the whole AFC West has become a rivalry," Smith said. "Look at what those teams have done the last few years. We beat up on each other. This year, only Seattle stands out."

Asked if the Broncos had a bigger rivalry with the Chiefs or Raiders, Jones said, "It's about the same. They don't like us, we don't like them. There's going to be a lot of trash-talking, a lot of late hits, a lot of penalties. It's going to be a tough, physical football game.

"In the first game (a 26-10 Chiefs win on Sept. 19), they beat us bad. They embarrassed us. They controlled the game. We've got to play better football, be more aggressive and more physical, and have fewer turnovers. We don't want them to sweep us."

The win over Oakland snapped a three-game losing streak for Kansas City.

"A lot of people think we have to scramble to make the playoffs," said Chiefs coach Gunther Cunningham, whose team trails Seattle by two games in the standings. "All we have to do is win. We'll probably have to win four of the five to get it done, but I think there's a chance to do that."

Cunningham said the rivalry with Denver is "one you get up for because it matches two coaching staffs with a lot of pride. There's a tradition of real physical football games when Denver and Kansas City play. Chiefs-Broncos is an NFL slugfest. As far as the Raiders and Chiefs, it's different. It's a dark game. I characterize it as a lot of darkness. You can read between the lines."

Kansas City's offense and defense rank a mediocre 15th and 14th, respectively, in the NFL, but the Chiefs lead the league in fumble recoveries (16) and in turnover differential (plus-17).

Quarterback Elvis Grbac has a career-high 12 TD passes this season and has thrown for 546 yards in the last two games, his best back-to-back total with the Chiefs.

Brian Griese returns as the Broncos' starting quarterback. When Griese went down with a sore throwing shoulder, veteran Chris Miller started the last three games. But Miller was sidelined by a mild concussion in the Oakland game, and Griese helped Denver overcome an 18-15 deficit.

His shoulder, Griese said, "feels a lot better. I can throw the ball pretty much pain-free."

Designated as John Elway's successor, Griese wants to make a statement in the final five games.

"I want people to look at me and say he's a guy we can count on to get the job done in the fourth quarter," he said.

Griese didn't do that in the first meeting with Kansas City, completing 11 of 16 passes for 107 yards with an interception and being replaced by Bubby Brister. He succeeded in the Broncos' last game, however.

"It takes time, but I'm trying to beat the learning curve, learn the things that it takes and the leadership you need to get it done in the fourth quarter, when everybody is looking at you to win the ballgame."

KANSAS CITY Season schedule and results

DENVER Season schedule and results

September 12 @Chicago L 17-20 September 19 Denver W 26-10 September 26 Detroit W 31-21 October 3 @San Diego L 14-21 October 10 New England W 16-14 October 21 @Baltimore W 35-8 October 31 San Diego W 34-0 November 7 @Indianapolis L 17-25 November 14 @Tampa Bay L 10-17 November 21 Seattle L 19-31 November 28 @Oakland W 37-34 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

September 13 Miami L 21-38 September 19 @Kansas City L 10-26 September 26 @Tampa Bay L 10-13 October 3 NY Jets L 13-21 October 10 @Oakland W 16-13 October 17 Green Bay W 31-10 October 24 @New England L 23-24 October 31 Minnesota L 20-23 November 7 @San Diego W 33-17 November 14 @Seattle L 17-20 November 22 Oakland W 27-21 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

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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