Chiefs at Broncos -- Week 17

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Spread: Broncos by 16

Forecast: Mostly sunny, yet chilly.

Records: Chiefs (2-13; AFC West 0-5); Broncos (12-3, AFC West 5-0)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 25, 2012: Broncos 17, Chiefs 9; Jan. 1, 2012: Chiefs 7, Broncos 3. Series record: Chiefs lead 56-49. 

What matters: The Broncos have plenty of incentive to win, and they aren't planning to sit Peyton Manning. Denver needs a win to stay in contention for the AFC's top seed and a win clinches the No. 2 spot. The Chiefs have incentive to lose, as that will lock up the No. 1 spot in the draft. Seeing how the rest of the season has gone, they probably don't need any incentive to lose -- they've gotten pretty good at it.

Who matters: The fate of the coaching staff has probably been decided already -- either Clark Hunt is going to give Romeo Crennel a second year or cut him loose, whether the Chiefs win or not. But some Chiefs could be playing for a roster spot in 2013. DE Tyson Jackson's contract is up after this year and Jackson, who has not always lived up to his draft position (he was taken third overall in 2009), has played better the second half of this season. Jackson or LT Branden Albert could be two players the Chiefs consider to use their franchise tag on. The other guy to watch is Brady Quinn, who, with a good performance, could get kept around in Kansas City to back up a rookie starter next season or start the year until the rookie is ready. Quinn has thrown two touchdowns and eight interceptions and has a 60.8 QB rating, so it's not like he'll magically appear to be the solution. But unless the Chiefs find a quarterback in free agency, they might consider keeping Quinn around.

Key matchups: Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles vs. Broncos linebackers. Charles is unquestionably the team's MVP this season and needs 12 yards to top his best season of 2010. Most weeks Charles has been able to be productive even though defenses know he's the Chiefs' only real threat. The Broncos rank third against the run -- giving up 91 ypg -- but Charles ran for 107 yards in a 17-9 loss against the Broncos in Week 12. ... Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas vs. Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers. Thomas has at least five catches in 11 of 15 games this season. Against the Chiefs, he had only four catches but still was productive with 82 receiving yards and a touchdown. Flowers is the Chiefs' top corner and if he is on Thomas, Manning might look to his other receivers or TE Jacob Tamme, who caught four passes and had a touchdown in the first meeting. 

Inside stuff: Crennel had fluid drained from his left knee this week and has been on crutches. He said Thursday that if he's not off crutches by Sunday, he will likely coach from the box. 

Injuries: WR Dexter McCluster, S Kendrick Lewis and OLB Tamba Hali missed Friday's practice with the flu. Albert (back) and WR Terrance Copper (knee) also missed practice. TE Tony Moeaki (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game. 

Stat you should know: The Chiefs have more than twice as many turnovers (37) as touchdowns (17) this season. 

Looking ahead: The end has finally arrived.

Prediction: Broncos 27, Chiefs 10

Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter@CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.