There are many items to watch for during Sunday's crucial AFC West showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. Denver is in first place in the division at 8-2. They hold a two-and-a-half-game lead over Kansas City. With the Chiefs sitting at 5-4 coming off their bye week, K.C. essentially enters a must-win situation in terms of keeping their division title hopes alive.
Offense and defense on each side will be heavily discussed for the personnel matchups of this one. But in a game that could be tight throughout the day, special teams is a critical part to monitor for both the Chiefs and the Broncos.
Kansas City and Denver each have some of the most accomplished kickers in recent history. Harrison Butker has made plenty of clutch kicks in the playoffs. As for Wil Lutz, his career totals when attempting a field goal to tie or win the game are remarkable. However, for both the Chiefs and the Broncos, there have been some special teams trends and hiccups that have stood out.
Which of those are most notable entering Sunday? Here are some key special teams notes to keep in mind when the Chiefs face the Broncos.
Harrison Butker improving his numbers after rocky start
Butker did not escape without at least one mistake in the first five games of the Chiefs' season. He missed at least one field goal or PAT in the first four games. Then, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Butker had a kickoff go out of bounds late in the game. That helped to set up a Jaguars game-winning drive.
In the last four games, Butker has made all field goal attempts and has only missed one extra point. His kickoff average per game is also at the highest point it has been all season. Kansas City is defending kickoffs better now than they were early in the season. Plus, Butker has been more accurate with his aim and direction during kickoff attempts.
With those recent improvements, the Chiefs will have to hope that Butker continues to ride his own hot hand. The Broncos can grind out long, methodical drives. And in case anyone has been living under a rock, Denver's defense is among the best in the league. With points at a premium, Butker will have to remain as steady as he has been in the last few weeks.
Lutz has been captain clutch for Broncos this season
Lutz has made all 23 of his extra point attempts this season. He also finished last year at 100 percent in that category. In total, he has missed just three of 15 field goal attempts this year. Interestingly, two of those have come in the last two weeks.
But when the game is on the line, Lutz has been a source of confidence and comfort for head coach Sean Payton. Payton was able to rely on him during their time together in New Orleans. Now, with the pair enjoying a strong season with each other in Denver, Lutz has been captain clutch when it matters most.
He hit a go-ahead field goal against the New York Jets in an international game to give Denver a lead late. And against both the New York Giants and the Houston Texans, Lutz nailed walk-off game-winning field goals as time expired. It helps that he gets to kick in altitude, obviously. But in an age where kickers are more hit and miss, Lutz has been a trusted piece.
Shaky punts and plenty of special teams penalties
It is commonplace for penalties to occur on kick returns and punt returns. In today's NFL, those situations seem to bring out an extra amount of yellow on the field. But for the Chiefs, they have been bit by a few holding calls on kickoff returns late in games that have been tight. The Jacksonville game is the best example, though there have been other instances that have slowed Kansas City down.
As for the Broncos, it is wild to see that even at 8-2, they are tied with the Jaguars for the most penalties called against them this season (83). Denver also has the most penalty yards against. Jacksonville sits number two in the league.
Elsewhere, rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw has punted 53 times this season. That is the most in the league. Again, a very astounding mark to hold given the Broncos' record. In comparison, Matt Araiza and the Chiefs have only punted 22 times this year. Part of that is due to Kansas City being more aggressive and going for it on fourth down more often in 2025.
Nonetheless, Araiza has landed 12 of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He also has not had one land for a touchback. Another item to monitor is Crawshaw's delivery. He finished with a few shanks and wild punts last game.