If the Broncos consider themselves a team worthy of making the playoffs, they will have the chance to prove it Sunday when they host the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Broncos win, they will capture the AFC West title, amazing as that may be.
If the Broncos lose, then they’ll have to hope the Chargers defeat the Raiders. If that happens, the Broncos will still win the division and advance to the playoffs.
But they don’t want to back in. They want to go in having taken care of their business.
They have the opportunity to do just that.
Ten weeks ago, the thought of the Broncos winning the AFC West was but a pipe dream. Give them credit; they have found a way to determine themselves what they’ll be doing in January.
“We’re well prepared for them (the Chiefs),” running back Willis McGahee said. “We know what they’re going to do. It’s nothing new to us. (We) just need to go out there and finish and play.”
On October 9, the Broncos looked finished. They had just lost to the San Diego Chargers and were 1-4. A change at quarterback, an improved defense and a new-found energy have given them life and put them on the brink of an improbable division championship and playoff berth.
With everything at stake this week, the playoffs might as well be starting on Sunday.
“I anticipate it to be a playoff-type game because that’s how we’re going to treat it,” wide receiver Eric Decker said. “(It’s) a big step for us to make a step to the postseason.”
Say what you want about how the Broncos have made it to this point. No, it hasn’t been conventional. No, it hasn’t been pretty. And no, they won’t be confused with an elite team.
But here they are with an opportunity to win their division and advance, if they can defeat the Chiefs and their former teammate and current Kansas City quarterback, Kyle Orton. Through all the if only’s and what if’s, the Broncos have wrestled into position to move on.
Stunning.
The time is now. It is time to find out how far the Broncos have come and how far they might be able to go.
Buckle up.
What are your thoughts on the game against the Chiefs? Thanks for reading and sharing. I wish you and your families all the best in 2012.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice
Just win.
Go Broncos !!
let’s get a head of steam rolling into the playoffs..expect Elway and Fox to give an emotional pregame and halftime speech to get their guys fired up. I don’t want this to be close. I’m hoping we crush the chiefs and send the league a message that we’re ready for the playoffs. Pound the chiefs on the ground. 28-13 broncos. LETS DO THIS!!
Unfortunately I don’t believe we are as ready to face the Romeo version of the Chiefs as McGahee says we are.
This is the same exact scenario we found ourselves in for last year when we played our hearts out for Studesville after McD was fired.
But it’s happening to the opponent now.
The Chiefs players disliked Haley as much as our players disliked McD.
They want to win for Romeo as much as we wanted to win for Studs.
That’s the real scary part of this game, this is not the same team we beat earlier this season 17-10.
And it will also be Orton’s Super Bowl.
In the end my football brain tells me that we are going to end this season on a three game losing streak once again to lose the division to a foe just like in 2008.
Of course my heart hopes my football brain is a stupid moron, LOL.
I tend to think exactly like Bay on this…. The chiefs will be playing all out. Now is when we truly see if all the ‘intangibles’ that everyone said Tebow has came really have an impact on our team, on the game. With our secondary in shambles… the front d-line needs to show up big.
The offense is what it is… unpredictable. Hopefully by now McCoy has tried everything he needs to try to find out just who we have and what they are capable of. I really don’t want to hear anyone (coach )say ‘ we are a young team and we are figuring our who we have’ . that time is past…. now is the time… the time to win and get in.
The Haters celebrate as if Tebows best days are behind him when in fact ,His best Day will be this Sunday when God exalts him on the BIG STAGE.Going into the Playoffs is a special winning achievement that had to happen in his home in front of the Fans that Believed in a child of God to succeed and they will ALL be watching unlike Christmas eve when peoples attention was on Jesus
….now its TEBOWS day this sunday , the haters PRIDE was lifted up after this last loss ,thinking God failed Tim ….funny haha ,no in fact your Pride is the only thing that was set up ,so you will eat a big peace of humble pie .dont you know evil doesnt win in the END ? well sunday is the end of the regular season and Good will be there to defeat you 
SEE you all after the Game .oh yes P.S. Tebow will win with rookies and some injured veterans and coaches still trying to figure out how to make this whole thing work with what they have.God will take what is weak and make it strong.AMEN
I’m also feeling like Bay. This will be a scary game.
Discipline + focus + desire = execution.
If the team can cut out the mistakes, take advantage of every opportunity and give 100%, then we can win. If we fall short in any of those areas, it’ll be another hole in the gut when the clock shows 00:00.
Go Defense! Go Tebow! Go Broncos! (in that order)
BTW, my heart and my football brain is probably the bipolar thing shaztah was talking about, haha.
I’m also hoping that, just like Tebow has shown up big in the last quarter of so many games, he’s going to show up big in the last quarter of the last quarter of the season!
I perosnally would think in this game how we play the second quarter will have more to do with how the game ends up than the last quarter.
I mean the second quarter the last two games threw the whole game plan out the window and brought on nothing but panic time…
But as much as the players played for studes, Broncos still lost to them chargers lol. They can still play for romeo and lose.
I would rather not hear our players say they are ready for chiefs and they know what the would do. Confidence is good but hopefully thats all it is. We have already underestimated enough teams.
All I want is a playoff birth, even if we lose in the playoffs at least it will end the drought and hopefully give us something to build on. And making the playoffs is quite an accomplishment in its self, especially as a divisional champion. It means u played well when u needed to that year and you are in a top 12 in the league in a sense. and top 6 in your conference. Its an accomplisment in its self. but I won’t lie … I want more lol
TRB
The only way the Broncos can win this game is if special teams preforms. We need a blocked punt/fg and we need Royal to get back to returning kicks. By the way, he was robbed last weekend, in no way can you make such a soft call, absolute BS!
Maybe so Bay, bi-polar can be good at times. I don’t think we will make it far in the playoffs but you know what, I felt the same way about GreenBay last year. They went into the playoffs as the 6th seed and then a true miracle happened. They started playing like possesed when they had not done so all year. I and no one else has ever seen anything like it. I am not saying that we could do that but stranger things have happened. Like Seahawks knocking New Orleans out of the playoffs last year. Just going to be exciting to see what surprises the playoffs will hold.
I’m sure this subject has been well covered but I have to say this. HOW THE EFF DOES RIVERS MAKE THE PRO BOWL!!???!!! UGH. Sorry.
Hello Mike,
You know what? This is such an exciting time for Broncos football and Broncos fans everywhere!
The national media is LOVING this made for television movie of Tebow vs. Orton…but quite honestly who cares!
There will be a time when we can drag out the microscope and dive into the dids and didn’ts of the season…but right now let’s just focus in on Sunday!
Trust me, I’ve seen enough of NFL football this season to say “Why can’t they?” Why can’t they win Sunday? Why can’t they beat an elite team? Packers lose to KC…really? Baltimore lose to Seattle? Saints got embarrased by the Rams?….it’s all who shows up and plays they’re best ball!
I’ve been hearing quite loudly this theory of Orton wants to embarass Denver brass, KC is playing for Romeo, Denver’s past playoff birth mishaps…..To me I’ve seen more heart and the pride to win in the last 8 weeks than what KC has mustered up in 2 years. And let’s not forget, Orton was great between the 20′s but there was a reason he is gone…it’s because HE ISN’T A VERY GOOD QB!….and all the debacle’s of past playoffs misses, that’s great for history books but it has NOTHING to do with this year! What does McD have to do with this season? Or when Shanny missed on the last 4 games? It means nothing!!!!!
Mike, let’s just let them play! let’s forget about the would’ve, should’ve and could’ves and simply understand that they deserve this opportunity! KC didn’t nor did San Diego! Denver and Oakland played the better football and that’s the bottom line!!!!!
Come Sunday, we’ll see who wants it more!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
I think they’re gonna do it. Go Broncos.
Yea panic time has killed us … as can be seen from the ridiculous amounts of pass attempts from tebow … or should I say consecutive pass attempts. Completely abandoning the run … thats not what got us this far.
We do need a spark in special teams … a great way to start the game if we receive is with a royal return for a TD. Talk about stealing momentum instantly. And even if not a TD … alot can be said for good field position. Royal in special teams is key to success.
Also another thing we need is FAIR OFFICIATING … lord its felt a lot more onesided recently.
TRB
It was also a TD play … they shoulda reviewed the penalty lol. TRB
I agree with TRB and Broncfalls. The only thing I’m worried about is if #20 is going to be playing Sunday. Anyone heard his status?
You know just as there is a reason that Orton is not with us there is also a reason why Crennel is no longer the head coach for the Brown’s. He wasn’t very good, just ask Brady Quinn.
Dawk may never play again.
Maybe the lockout was bad for the refs too. Maybe the players union should have added a rule to which the coach could have a pink flag to challenge an penalty call. They can challege most other things why not penalties? LOL just a thought.
I hope you are wrong Bay.
Broncos 41
Chiefs 6
It’s all about big plays. No deep balls to Bowe and no game breaking screens to McCluster. Make them move the ball down the field. We all know Orton cant score red zone TD’s.
That’s not me talking, I heard that there are real concerns within the organization about his neck now, it’s a very serious matter.
It’s been gut wrenching to see the collapse of the defensive unit in the last few weeks. Too many missed assignments and players out of position. Injuries have played a part as well. Also way too many three and outs on O leaving our D on the field to try and stop the water dam from overflowing. Then overcompensating and pressing on both sides of the ball. It would be great to see them settle down and get back to basics. Leadership is vital and Bailey is trying to get these young guys back in line on defense.
On the offensive side the ball, lots of questions as to what’s going on. DE’s are playing contain now instead of rushing upfield, as TT is only reading his primary option. If that’s gone, they’re there to contain.
Broncos can only work to get better….
This is one of the biggest games the Broncos will have participated during recent years. It was a great six game run and one that I truly didn’t expect, but of course was overjoyed to see the Broncos playing tough football.
My hope is they rise to the occasion and persevere this upcoming weekend.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Good small concise analogy of where we’re at rbf1.
Once again, Colquitt will play a big part in this game.
Also, when is the last time we faked a punt? Might be a good game to break one out if the opportunity presents itself. A play like that can change a game.
I swear, the raiders are the kings of faking punts … thats all they do, now whether they succeed is the question. But they have probably faked more punts than anyone this year. We should consider it … I can tell you WHO WILL. THE CHIEFS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHIGN TO GAIN BY KILLING OUR PLAYOFF HOPES. Expect some radical stuff.
Vaughn down, Dawk down, Chris Harris down, Sydquan Thompson down, man our secondary sure has taken a shellacking. Wilhite will need to step up. he looked alot better at the begining of the season.
TRB
Come to think about it we got tony carter …. hmm.
Champ will shut down Bowe like last year. What we need to do is contain McCluster on screens, and use a couple screens our self with our RB not WR. Speed kills us. And we need Bruton to start. I hope the coaches are paying attention to adjustments that MUST be made on defense.
Heck with miller limited in rushing the passer, maybe he should just watch the screen or be in coverage will DJ does the rushing. Sure he may not be able to intercept with one hand but he is fast enough and can knock balls down.
We also need to use wilhite on nickle blitzes dont think we have done much of those recently. We lost an extra incredible blitzer with the loss of Dawk.
I dunno what we need to do im no coach but we need to change up our approach thats for sure.
TRB
Thx bay.
Bay,I Have to disagree with your post,no way KC hated Haley as much as we hated McD,not even close!
Hey, Bay, I agree with you completely about the 2nd quarter situation. I was just saying that in a 16-game season, Sunday’s game (the whole thing) is technically the last 1/4th of the last 1/4th of the season. So hopefully Tebow will spend the whole game doing amazing things like he often does in the last 1/4th of single games.
OK, I’m done blathering now.
I think we xan get them bay, I hope dawkins playing I dont like Carter back there and Moore cant tackle but carter play a lil better tho.
Moore hasn’t been near as aggressive since getting fined in the preseason for that hit in the game against Buffalo.
Broncos to do list:
Control the ball, no turnovers
Open up a bit, stop the vanilla playcalling, Defenses are on to it
Win the field position battle
Pressure Orton A LOT
watch out for the screen plays
and if we get on ‘em early. step on their throats and keep going, don’t throttle back.
Consider a new OC in the offseason
Go Broncos!!!
Must win the division. The West is ours.
Fad of Tebow or zone-read, or God’s will, need to be cast.
Tackle, block, catch, and run. JUST PLAY BRONCO FOOTBALL.
Coaches, use everything/player possible to win this game.
Thanks in advance.
I just read on DP that the Jets cut Eron Riley
If that is true we need to pick that kid back up.
dlmyers hasn’t been on in like forever, just got out of jail? LOL, just kidding.
And yeah, sign up Riley while you can if he is indeed available, just to secure him for next year.
Denver just needs to put together a full game of football. I’m tired of seeing a nice balanced drive to start each half and then runs on 1st and 2nd down, forcing a 3rd and long and a punt. Mix it up. The Broncos haven’t run the option nearly at all the last few weeks…time to mix it up. I honestly believe if Denver shows up (all 3 phases) this week, we not only beat KC but set ourselves up for a great 1st round game vs. the Steelers or Ravens; both games we can compete and have a chance to win!
What’s missing most IMO is the communication from Dawkins. He is their VOCAL leader and without him the D is to often out of sync.
With all the emphasis on “pocket passing”, it feels like TT is pressing. He needs to shift into his let it all hang out mode early and stay there for this game. If the first two reads aren’t there, just take off and see what happens out of the pocket. Would also really like to see Decker regain his confidence from early in the season.
Would still like to see some TE involvement. Especially screens to Tamba Hali’s side.
Agree with Bay about the 2nd quarter. Seems like the offense becomes stagnant which also effect the defense’s stamina. Perhaps they need to shift into the short screen and draw gameplan during the 2nd quarter which they have used in association with some option reads.
we need to pin orton to the mat every play on sunday, make him hobble off the field like our defensive beasts can!
At the end of the day its just football, I think KC’s Defense is top 5, with Ortan the offense is leaps and bounds better, However I think Denver finds a way to win. Tim is coming off his worst game and is playing the guy that took the coaches by storm at the start of the season. People talk about Ortans revenge? What about Tebows? After all he never had a veteran mentor, Kyle was a punk to him, on and off the camera! GB2
Everybody on the team screwed up against the Bills. Coaches & players were not ready to play because everyone was thinking about the playoffs. If they would have concentrated on the Bills & only on the Bills & played more aggressive on defense we might have won the game. It is very embarrassing to loose so badly to a team as bad as the Bills. Maybe we are finding out the Broncos still have along way to go to be just a good team. I fill the first mistake the Broncos made was hiring Fox as their head coach. His offense is so out dated that every team in the NFL knows what to expect from our offense.