Although it’s only been eight games, this season feels like eight years for Denver fans. The Broncos have played poorly, have looked like sellers, and didn’t seem like they wanted or needed to win any more games. What are a couple more wins when the playoffs are already out of reach? But hope is always close at hand. And a reason to believe came in the form of a win against the Green Bay Packers. With a game ahead against the Kansas City Chiefs, fans wondered what might happen if Denver pulled out a surprise win. But for that to happen, an embarrassing streak had to end. And, somehow, this terrible streak ended, leaving Broncos fans to wonder if hope is indeed alive.
When The Broncos Played The Chiefs This Terrible Streak Ended
Sixteen Past Losses
For eight years, the Broncos have been losing to the Chiefs. That’s sixteen straight losses, dating back to when Peyton Manning was leading Denver’s offense. This terrible streak ended when the Broncos played the Chiefs, as Denver was able to find a path to victory. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been phenomenal for years, but this Sunday in Denver quarterback Russell Wilson was the better player. He and the offense led the team to three touchdowns. Safety Justin Simmons led the defense to five turnovers. And Denver ended a streak that had become an embarrassment, giving the team and fans hope that better days could be ahead.
Nine Future Hopes
Two wins in a row, right before the bye week, gives Denver the confidence that they have been lacking. Until now, the Broncos were thought to be planning a fire sale. They were playing games that they need not win. And fans were beginning to lose all hope that the season could be salvaged. But with two wins, and one being against a bitter rival, things are looking up. The Broncos are no longer an easy win for the Chiefs as they roll on to Super Bowls – this terrible streak has ended. And what the future holds is now anyone’s guess. Denver beat the Super Bowl champs. They handled Mahomes with ease. And they are starting to put up points. If this new streak continues, what *can’t* this team do?
This Terrible Streak Ended
Many factors led to the Broncos beating the Chiefs, many keys saw this terrible streak end. The cold weather is always an equalizer, even without snow on the ground. Mahomes was ill, and recovering from the flu over the weekend. And maybe hardest to quantify was the fact that Taylor Swift was not in attendance, leading tight end Travis Kelce to take a dip in stats. That might seem odd, but the numbers don’t lie. Plus, Denver pressured Mahomes, made him uncomfortable, hit Kansas City hard, and hunted for the ball. The turnovers were the main story, but even Denver’s rushing game took a chapter in this win, controlling the game from the start. No matter what the reasons were, it all added up to a Broncos win, and a new streak starts – Denver is 1-0 in games versus Kansas City since October 29th, 2023.
Main Photo: [Ron Chenoy] – USA Today Sports
