Before the 2013 NFL season began, it seemed farfetched to say the Kansas City Chiefs would lead the AFC West at the end of Week 8.

Now, the Chiefs not only lead the division, they have a legitimate shot at winning it and getting the top playoff seed in the conference this year. 

Still undefeated, Kansas City has only two challenges remaining on its schedule, and they are against the same team. The Chiefs have yet to play their division rivals, the Denver Broncos, who were the favorites heading into this season to win the AFC West. 

When these two teams finally meet, it should be a fight between heavy-weights. The Broncos currently lead the league in points scored and have the luxury of working with Peyton Manning, who leads the league in passing yards. 

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are undefeated thanks to a defense that locks down its opponents. Kansas City owns the best defense in terms of points allowed, and presents a problem for the Broncos in that it allows the fourth-lowest amount of passing yards per game. 

Linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali get after opposing quarterbacks at an exceptional level. Houston already has 11 sacks and Hali has nine, according to nfl.com. 

This is significant for two reasons: First, it gives them an average of more than one per game. Second, those numbers are equal to, or more than their total number of sacks from last season. 

A passing-heavy league has a new threat in the Chiefs, who could finish undefeated or with two losses at most, judging from their schedule. 

Excluding the two remaining games against the Broncos, the Chiefs face a series of teams that have a combined record of 21-22. The combined record of the teams they have beaten to earn their undefeated record is a measly 20-41, but the teams they will play still are sub-par. 

The Broncos face a similar, and slightly more difficult, road. Excluding the games against the perfect Chiefs, the Broncos will play teams with a combined record of 22-21. 

With all things equal, the season should come down to the two games between Denver and Kansas City. The Chiefs already have a one-game advantage, so the Broncos will have to win at least one against their division rival. 

That should be possible in the game played in the Mile High City, but the Broncos will also have to travel to Kansas City, where the Chiefs have the majority of their wins this season. 

Furthermore, Denver’s superstar, Manning, has declined slightly since his historic start. After four games without an interception, Manning has thrown one in each of his last four games, including three against the Washington Redskins. 

The Chiefs defense is exceptional at forcing turnovers, recording 10 interceptions already this season This bodes ill for Manning and the Broncos. The Denver defense ranks at the bottom of the league, which means Manning cannot afford to commit too many turnovers. 

The first bout between these two teams comes in Week 11 in Denver, which could either solidify the division lead for the Chiefs or bring the battle even closer. However, even if the Chiefs lose that game, they will take one in their house and secure their spot atop the AFC West by the end of a Cinderella year for a team that won only two games last season.