When it comes to important games on the midseason calendar for the Denver Broncos, perhaps no game will have quite the impact on the division race than when they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Week 8.

After losing to their division rivals in Week 1 in a blowout loss on the road, the Broncos are ready and eager to face Kansas City on their home turf.

"I think point blank, it’s important to our team," quarterback Bo Nix said after Wednesday's practice session. 'It’s important to us as players. They’ve been a really good team for a long stretch, and they continue to win games … For us, it’s about the next-game mentality. We know it’s a big one. That goes without being said. After falling to them already this year, this one is important to us. I expect a good game.”

Not only is it important for the player perspective, but it is nearly a must-win game for the divisional race. The winner of the game will virtually put a stronghold on first place in the AFC West.

Nix has had his Week 1 performance haunt him since September.

"I’ve watched (the tape) several times," Nix said. "I watched it after immediately and then watched it again this week to prepare. It definitely doesn’t leave me excited with how that game ended. There are a lot of things we can focus on and correct. What I’ve learned over the past is you can’t play the same game twice. That’s going to be a completely different game than what Sunday’s game is going to be, and you have to play it as such. You have to show up with a different mentality and just compete and just do what you can to have a different outcome than last time.”

Broncos fans, as well as players and coaches as a whole seek a better outcome than last time. And the team believes it can learn from its mistakes and come out on top.

The Broncos will play the Chiefs at 2:25 MST on Sunday from Empower Field at Mile High.