The Denver Broncos didn't play their sharpest football Sunday. Then again, when you play the Kansas City Chiefs, that isn't necessarily a requirement for victory.
The Broncos beat the Chiefs 17-9 at Arrowhead Stadium, winning their sixth consecutive game. At 8-3, Denver can clinch the AFC West with a win next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Chiefs' defense deserves credit for slowing a Broncos offense that had averaged 33 points per game over the past six weeks. Peyton Manning made his plays -- including a pretty 30-yard touchdown hookup with Demaryius Thomas -- but this was an offensive performance not up to previous standards.
Manning was tested for a concussion after being thrown to the turf on his 7-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme in the second quarter. He was cleared and never missed a snap, finishing 22-of-37 passing for 285 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
The biggest takeaway for the Broncos was running back Knowshon Moreno, the former first-round draft pick who was activated before the game and responded with 85 yards on 20 carries. This is a pass-first offense, but the Broncos do need someone behind Manning to keep defenses honest. Moreno did that Sunday, providing a reasonable facsimile of injured starter Willis McGahee. This now is Moreno's job to lose.
As seems to be the case every week, Manning made history Sunday. He now has 149 wins, passing his boss, John Elway, for second place on the NFL's all-time list. This Manning guy might sneak into Canton when it's all said and done.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
