Why to watch:
Both teams have rebounded from disastrous '98 seasons to post surprising 5-2 records. The similarities end there, however. Kansas City is winning with a strong defense and a conservative offensive attack that doesn't take many risks or make many mistakes. The Colts, on the other hand, own the AFC's top-scoring offense and are overwhelming opponents with the explosive talents of QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison.

Kansas City has won three consecutive games, including last week's 34-0 rout of the Chargers and a 35-8 whipping of the Ravens in Week 7. The Colts, who seek their fourth consecutive win, will look to close out a three-game homestand in impressive fashion after beating the Cowboys and routing the Bengals.

Who to watch:
Chiefs QB Elvis Grbac leads an efficient offense that hasn't turned the ball over in its last two games. Kansas City will look to pound the ball up the middle with big RBs Bam Morris and Donnell Bennett. Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander is the big-play man in this conservative attack, averaging 24.6 yards per catch on his 20 receptions. Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez leads the team with four TD catches. Chiefs RT Glenn Parker will try to hold off Colts DE Chad Bratzke, who leads the AFC with seven sacks. The Chiefs have at least two interceptions in each of their last six games.

	INJURY REPORT
	Chiefs: QUESTIONABLE: LB Greg Manusky (shoulder); RB Rashaan Shehee (hip); WR Tamarick Vanover (calf). PROBABLE: RB Bam Morris (shoulder); DE Dan Williams (knee-elbow). Colts: OUT: WR E.G. Green (knee); DE Mark Thomas (head). QUESTIONABLE: RB Keith Elias (head); DT Tony McCoy (ankle); DE Bernard Whittington (ankle). PROBABLE: TE Ken Dilger (shoulder).

Manning is picking apart opposing defenses because he's getting a ton of time to throw. The Colts QB has been sacked just four times this season. James is clearly one of the NFL's most versatile running backs. He had 205 total yards last week against Dallas -- 113 yards rushing and 92 yards on his seven receptions. Colts WR Marvin Harrison torched Deion Sanders for one of his league-leading nine TD catches last week. Harrison will face Chiefs CB Cris Dishman, who has been a good addition to the K.C. defense after struggling last season in Washington. Colts WRs Terrence Wilkins and Marcus Pollard<, who have two TDs apiece, can make secondaries pay for concentrating too much on Harrison.

Chiefs' numbers to know:
The Chiefs have the NFL's No. 5 rushing attack -- even though no K.C. back has rushed for more than 250 yards on the season. Kansas City is averaging 126.3 yards per game on the ground. Bennett (234 yards on 63 carries), Morris (188 on 60) and second-year back Rashaan Shehee (175 on 50) combine to carry the load.

Colts' numbers to know:
Indianapolis has held its last three opponents to less than 300 total yards -- a sharp improvement from earlier in the season. The Colts now rank 20th in overall defense, including a very respectable 14th against the run.

What it means:
The Chiefs are tied with the Seahawks for first place in the AFC West and appear fully capable of making a playoff run. The Colts, who have already surpassed last season's victory total (three), are one-game behind the Dolphins for the AFC East lead and right in the thick of the wild-card race. The Colts also are looking to complete the first half with a 6-2 record for the first time since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1978.

This game could eventually provide an important tiebreaker for both clubs in the playoff race. And the winner will enter a difficult stretch with a lot of momentum -- both teams have three of their next four games on the road.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Chiefs' game plan:
The Chiefs won't change a thing. They will throw the ball somewhere between 10 to 20 times and then hand the ball off to their rotation of running backs -- Bennett, Morris, Shehee, Mike Cloud and Tony Richardson. The Chiefs will not deviate from what they do, running between their big three inside of center Tim Grunhard and guards David Szott and Will Shields. They might throw in a wrinkle, but their game plan is always to pound the ball.

If Grbac throws the ball less than 22 times, the Chiefs should be in the game. Grbac was 11-for-15 passing last week, and that's exactly what they want to do. If they get into a throwing contest, the Chiefs will get blown out. The Chiefs are as ball control-oriented and conservative as any team in the NFL.

The Kansas City offense will rely on the defense to turn the ball over and put them in a short field. Cornerbacks James Hasty and Dishman will be up in Harrison's face and try to play their typical, aggressive style. The Chiefs' problems will be trying to defend a versatile Colts offense, with Manning, James and Harrison. The first thing they have to focus on is not allowing Harrison the big plays. He is having such a great year, somewhat attributed to James' presence in the backfield.

The Chiefs should be willing to bend but not break. Don't let Harrison break your back with a home-run reception. The Chiefs are an aggressive, big-play defense. They might change some things in the secondary this week, allowing Wilkins to catch the ball. And Harrison will get his receptions too, but he needs to be limited to catching the ball underneath.

Colts' game plan:
Even though it is his second year in the league, Manning is playing like an eight-year veteran. He seems like he has figured out how to play in the NFL. He always throws to the open receiver. Even though Harrison is his top target, Manning will spread the ball around. Expect him to try to get the Chiefs defense out of its comfort zone and use James' receiving ability out of the backfield.

Manning is one of the few quarterbacks in the league who is patient enough to beat a team by dumping the ball off. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore will have Manning making audibles at the line of scrimmage, checking off to slants and plays where he will be getting rid of the ball quickly. I don't expect Manning to hold the ball very long. He will throw a lot of timing routes and not allow the Chiefs a greater chance to adjust and make big defensive plays.

Kansas City, despite being conservative offensively, thrives on creating turnovers on defense. The Colts will move Harrison into a lot of different places so Hasty and Dishman can't just grab him and pull him down. He won't be stationary on the line of scrimmage very much. They will put him in the slot or motion him so he can get a running start and a free release.

The Colts defense should try to make the Chiefs offense beat them with big plays downfield because Kansas City loves to grind the ball, chewing up time on the clock. If the Colts can get an early lead, then the Chiefs will have to play catchup, which isn't one of their strengths. The Chiefs offense thrives on keeping the game close or playing ahead. While the Chiefs are content to gain three or four yards running the ball. The Colts should load the box, bringing everyone up near the line of scrimmage to limit the Chiefs to two yards or less. The Colts need to make the Chiefs offense prove to them that they can beat them with big plays, something Grbac and the Chiefs receivers haven't proven yet.

Pivotal Player:
Grbac. He has improved and is getting a better feel for the Chiefs offense. But if he has to throw the ball 20-30 times, is he good enough to make big plays to win games?