According to the Kansas City Star, Chiefs head coach Todd Haley believes that the team “bugged” rooms and Haley’s phone at the team facility.

That’s the most compelling takeaway from a lengthy article that details many of the actual and/or perceived idiosyncrasies of the Scott Pioli regime.  Much of the information comes from former employees who naturally aren’t happy with the changes that were made, no matter how unreasonable or reasonable or necessary or unnecessary they may have been.

The allegation is so inherently troublesome that we think the league should launch an immediate investigation.  This is a far bigger issue than brazenly videotaping defensive coaching signals during games, the foundation of the “Spygate” scandal in New England.  If Haley is right, the Chiefs have been violating state and federal law in the name of truly spying on their employees. – Pro Football Talk 

You can read more here.

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Offense

Broncos - Forget about getting out of the gates fast. The Broncos need to keep their momentum going. The Chiefs struggle defending the pass (ranked 24th in the league), so like in their first meeting, Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd will be the team’s bread and butter. Knowshon Moreno has picked his game up over the last few weeks, but the Chiefs are tremendous against the run. They’ve allowed just 60 rushing yards per game over the last two weeks. The most yards that they’ve given up in a game this season ironically came against the Broncos in week 10. Focused too much on the pass? Perhaps. The Chiefs will readjust their defense, so the play calling had better be flexible and creative.    

Chiefs- The Chiefs are on fire of late. They’ve got the No.1 rushing game in the league and the passing game is quickly catching up. Matt Cassel has been worth his weight in gold this season, balancing out all of that talent in the backfield. The Chiefs don’t turn the ball over. They have 8 turnovers this season and could certainly break the record low turnover total of 12. Cassel has 22 touchdowns and 4 INTs on the season. To compare a little, Tom Brady has 23 TDs and 4 INTs and Orton has 20 TDs and 9 INTs. The Cassel-Dwayne Bowe connection has grown even stronger. Bowe is 6th in the league in receiving yards, but 1st in touchdowns with 14. The Chiefs are averaging 200 rushing yards per game at home.   

Defense

Broncos - Brian Dawkins and Andre Goodman will be on the sidelines for this game, and those are two veterans that the Broncos need. Robert Ayers will be returning for his 2nd game back since his injury, so hopefully, he will be able to bring a little bit of a pass rush. The Broncos are ranked 30th in rush defense and 20th in pass defense. Again, ironically, it was the Broncos who held the Chiefs to their lowest rushing total of the season, 51 yards. That’s 123 yards below their average. The Broncos will need to focus just as much on Cassel. Even in the Chiefs loss, Cassel found his rhythm and carried it over to the next two games. Right now, this offense looks like a Rubik’s cube.    

Chiefs- The Chiefs have not given up more than 20 points at home all season. That’s a credit to them stopping the run in addition to running the ball well themselves. They’re ranked 7th in rush defense and have explosive linebackers. They’re middle of the pack in terms of sacks, but they seem to get their hands on a lot of balls. They’re ranked 4th in pass deflections and 10th in forced fumbles. Derrick Johnson leads the team in tackles, per the usual, and Tamba Hali has been a sack monster with 8 on the season. The Chiefs did give up 49 points in week 10, but they are giving up 21.0 points per game this season.  

Special Teams  

Broncos - Demaryius Thomas is out, so look for Eddie Royal and Perrish Cox to handle return duties. It’s about time for the Broncos to break one for a touchdown.   

Chiefs- He’s baaack! Dexter McCluster will return to the field this week. The Broncos didn’t see him in week 10, but I’m sure he’s caught their attention this week. He’s a speedster who will break for a big return at any time. They have one of the better kicking tandems in the league.  

Coaching

Broncos - Josh McDaniels has a lot of familiar eyes on him, and they’ll be damned if he burns them again. This is more of a chess game than a football game.  

Chiefs- Todd Haley wants revenge. From the game to the post game, Haley was not a happy camper and he’s got to be thrilled that he’s got a second chance to beat the Broncos.

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A photo captures a thousand words. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The wounds are still fresh as is the media’s recollection of the “non-handshake.”

When the Broncos take on the Chiefs for round two of this divisional battle, gloves may come off, blood may be shed, but one thing is absolutely guaranteed: Josh McDaniels will be at midfield to shake Todd Haley’s hand at the end of the game.

“I plan on shaking hands and all that stuff,” McDaniels said in Wednesday’s press conference. “It’s not a big deal to me. I plan on doing that no matter what the outcome of the game is.”
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