Patrick Mahomes makes look remarkably simple is actually complex

What Patrick Mahomes makes look remarkably simple is actually complex.

Kansas City's first-year starting quarterback has distributed the football to an array of receivers and executed a variety of calls.

The result is a slick attack that has scored touchdowns on each of its opening possessions, staking the Chiefs to a 3-0 record heading into Monday night's clash at Denver (2-1).

A victory would give Kansas City an early two-game advantage in the AFC West. They carry a five-game winning streak against the Broncos.

"Right now, we're just dialing (plays) up and going out there and executing what's called,'' Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said. "It's as simple as that. Not every single play is going to have to go to one certain guy and that's the fun of it. One-five (Mahomes) is going to have the opportunity to sling it around."

Stitch one-five to a jersey along with Mahomes' name and you have the hottest-selling merchandise in Kansas City.

A trip to Denver, however, represents a stiff divisional challenge for Mahomes, who set an NFL record with 13 touchdown passes in the first three games.

Mahomes made his NFL debut at Denver in the final week of the 2017 regular season, giving former starter Alex Smith some rest after Kansas City had already clinched the West title. He completed 22 of 35 passes for 284 yards with one interception.

"Whether it's an advantage (for Denver) or not, I can't tell you that,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "They have seen him and we will see how it goes.''

The Broncos are 2-0 at home this season with wins against Seattle and Oakland.

"Last year it was the last week of the season, so we didn't want to show every single play going into the playoffs,'' Mahomes said. "There's definitely going to be a little bit more added to the playbook but at the same time we have so many weapons, we can run our base stuff and still make things happen.''

One of the Broncos' top objectives is to control the tempo by successfully running the football against a Chiefs defense allowing 5.2 yards per carrying, 30th in the NFL.

"That's our best offense, keeping the Chiefs off the field,'' Denver quarterback Case Keenum said.

Keenum will have to be efficient. His interception total (five) ties him for the most in the NFL. By contrast, Mahomes has yet to throw a pick.

Running the ball effectively could enable Keenum to effectively manage the game. Two rushers, Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, have shown promise, but both are rookies playing their first NFL games in prime time.

Of course, the same is true for Mahomes as a first-year starter.

"Obviously, our offense has to score points, but also move the ball and burn the clock for us,'' Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. "Defensively we have to go out there and do our jobs. We have to get (Mahomes) into third downs. ... They've only had a handful because no one has forced them into third downs.''