TODAY

Denver (13-4) at Kansas City (13-3)

The facts: 1 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium, Channel 4.

Head to head: The teams split their regular-season meetings with the Broncos winning the season opener, 19-3, in Mile High Stadium, and the Chiefs coming back to take advantage of horrendous defensive play-calling in the closing minutes in Arrowhead to win, 24-22, on Pete Stoyanovich’s 54-yard field goal. Kansas City’s victory prevented the Broncos from taking a three-game division lead and securing home-field advantage through the playoffs, the Chiefs eventually coming on to pass Denver and gain the AFC edge.

Storyline: Two teams with a personality conflict, and the first time they have met in the postseason, although Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer has been beaten twice in the AFC championship game as coach of the Browns by Denver quarterback John Elway.

“These teams just don’t like each other,” says defensive end Neil Smith, who spent nine years with the Chiefs before signing with the Broncos this season.

Unlike an AFC team from the Central or East Divisions, the Broncos won’t be overwhelmed by the sea of red and the boisterous Chiefs’ fans.

Schottenheimer, who has never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, has been unable to advance to the Super Bowl, making him the NFL’s resident sad sack. Now he has made the decision to start Elvis Grbac at quarterback, although Grbac is coming off a separated shoulder and a poor performance in the season finale. Schottenheimer made the decision obviously because he has seen Rich Gannon play.

The Chiefs have advanced by relying on a defense that has excelled in halftime adjustments, going one 10-game stretch without giving up a touchdown in the second half.

Denver’s strength is combining the talents of Elway and Terrell Davis, but Davis has bruised ribs and is coming off a shoulder injury. The Broncos’ defense can’t stop the run up the middle, but that’s next week’s concern.

Keys to the game: Simple. Kansas City has to find some way to score. Marcus Allen can’t score unless the Chiefs get the ball to the one-yard line. Greg Hill can’t score because they don’t hand him the ball. Andre Rison can’t score because Grbac is throwing the ball. That leaves the defense and special teams.

The Broncos need Davis to keep the Chiefs’ defense off Elway. Kansas City has limited Elway to one touchdown pass in two games this season, but wide receiver Rod Smith might be able to take advantage of Dale Carter’s aggressive play at cornerback.

The best thing going for Denver is if the game is close, because Schottenheimer will find a way to lose it.

Now you know: Elway has played the Chiefs 28 times in his career and has thrown 26 touchdown passes and been intercepted 34 times. He has also been sacked 78 times--the most by any team in his career.

They said it: Denver kick returner Vaughn Hebron: “We have no problem going into Arrowhead; we actually get more of an emotional charge because we know that’s a true football atmosphere. It’s where you look for the tight games you dream of.”

The line: Kansas City by 1 1/2.