When the Denver Broncos released Kyle Orton toward the end of November, the team very well knew that the Kansas City Chiefs were one of the team's that would put in a waiver claim on the quarterback. And that's what happened. The Chiefs were awarded Orton, and now Kansas City can help knockout the Broncos from the AFC West title with a victory (and a Raiders win over the Chargers). Will Orton be able to up end his former team's chances at the playoffs?
SI.com's Chris Burke believes one of the things we can bet on happening this week in the NFL is that Orton will be able to throw effectively against the Broncos:
• Kyle Orton will finish with more total yards than Tim Tebow
The prospect of Orton knocking Denver out of the playoffs has to be the Broncos’ worst nightmare. Kansas City’s new QB may not have enough to pull out a win, but he’ll get plenty of opportunities to throw against the Broncos’ secondary.
Not to put a downer on Tim Tebow, but it's not too hard for the opposing quarterback to outgain Tebow in total yards. As for Kyle Orton, he knows how the Broncos defense plays and can take advantage of a weak secondary that is expected to not have Brian Dawkins. David Bruton is expected to start in Dawkins' place, and we will also see rookie Rahim Moore playing alongside fellow rookie Quinton Carter.
For more on this Week 17 game, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report and Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.