Broncos’ blueprint to a win over Chiefs? Colts, Texans may have provided the “Beat K.C.” guide. (Ryan O'Halloran, The Denver Post)

The Texans' possession time of 39:48 was second-highest in the NFL this year (Baltimore had 40:07 in its win over Miami) and their 83 plays from scrimmage were the most in the league. This was a week after Indianapolis controlled the football for 37:15 and ran 74 plays in a 19-10 win at Kansas City.

A model for the Broncos on Thursday night?

Former Broncos QB Brock Osweiler retires as NFL player (Mike Klis, 9News)

"I'm extremely grateful for the time I did receive playing in the National Football League,'' Osweiler said in a phone interview Wednesday with 9News. "The experiences I did have, people I did meet, relationships I did make -- I'm not going to dwell on the things that didn't happen in my career.

"Being a kid from Kalispell, Montana, playing for the Denver Broncos, winning a Super Bowl, having the opportunity to sign a second contract – when you look back on it, I couldn't be more appreciative. It was great."

‘Be careful now, you might want to keep him’: How Mike Purcell ended up back in Denver after a winding NFL path (Nicki Jhabvala, The Athletic)

Over the last two weeks, the player so many teams passed up has become an answer for the Broncos.

Broncos can get right back into AFC West race (Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press)

"Every game has its own personality," cautioned Broncos coach Vic Fangio.

Every team also builds its own reputation, and the Chiefs (4-2) have a dud of a defense to go along with that firecracker offense. Exploit that and the Broncos (2-4) can jump right back into the AFC West race after their September stumble.