The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-4 coming off their Week 10 bye and will face off against their division rival, the 8-2 Denver Broncos, on the road in Week 11.

It has been an unusual start to the season for the Chiefs, going 0-4 in one-score games. Typically, that’s when the Chiefs dominate their opponents, but they haven’t had the same luck this year.

It’s still early enough in the season for their one-score record to even out, but it is a little concerning that Head Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes haven’t been able to churn out these clutch wins.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the winner of this week’s matchup between the Chiefs and Broncos will eventually decide the winner of the American Football Conference West division.

“The Chiefs, on bye this week, are 5-4 and in third place ahead of next week's trip to Denver,” Graziano wrote Monday. “They're coming off one of the most lackluster performances of the Patrick Mahomes era (last week's loss to Buffalo), but they'll also be coming off that bye, and Andy Reid is 22-4 all-time off a bye. This sets up to be the top game of Week 11.”

Mahomes had maybe his worst performance as a starter in the National Football League during Kansas City’s 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. He completed just 15 of 34 passes (44.1 completion percentage) for 250 yards and an interception. Mahomes, who has had great efficiency as a runner, logged just five yards on one carry.

It was a rough game, and the score demonstrates the game was closer than it truly was. But there is no reason to panic just yet, as this upcoming matchup with the Broncos could set the scene for the Chiefs to take over the division if they win and continue winning after Week 11.

“Conversely, if the Chiefs win next week, the Broncos go into their bye still wondering if they have what it takes to get over that Kansas City hump,” Graziano said. “If the Chiefs beat the Colts in Week 12, they would be just one game behind the Broncos with six to play and would have one head-to-head tiebreaker victory in hand. Huge, huge swing, at least as far as I can tell.”

The Broncos, while 8-2, have had a lot of luck on their side. A big win over Denver could shift all momentum in favor of the Chiefs.