Players and coaches will only say they take it one game at a time. We are not, however, bound by any constraints.
So I’ll just say it.
The Broncos are good enough to make a run to the Super Bowl.
Ultimately, I don’t know if they’ll get there or win it. There is still a lot of football left and the unexpected is often the only predictable element in the NFL.
But I have the bandwagon out of the barn, hitched up and on its way.
Predictably, and correctly, the Broncos themselves are not talking in such a manner. They’re too busy making sure they do what is necessary to beat the Chiefs on Sunday.
“All we’re assured of right now is 7-9,” head coach John Fox said. “The best we can do is 13-3. What we become will be how we perform these last six games. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves and we won’t. Right now, all of our focus is going to be on Kansas City.”
Such an approach is one reason I think they can make a run to New Orleans. They won’t allow themselves to think they have achieved anything yet.
They also leave nothing to chance, not even a win over the 1-9 Chiefs.
“What I do know is it’s a rivalry game, (and) you can throw those records right out the window, it doesn’t matter,” defensive lineman Justin Bannan said. “These guys are going to be ready to play and we’re going into Kansas City. It’s always a tough environment for the Broncos to play in, so we have to be ready to go.”
The Broncos are clearly well aware that they have yet to clinch anything. They know they cannot simply go through the motions and expect to beat anybody.
When they play well, the Broncos have a chance to defeat any team in the NFL. It doesn’t take any kind of football genius to see this team has a lot of talent.
They have an elite quarterback. They have multiple offensive weapons. They have playmakers on defense. They are making big plays on special teams.
They also know they need to continue to improve.
“I think we have things we want to get better at all the time,” quarterback Peyton Manning said this week. “(Offensive Coordinator Mike) McCoy talks about the game management part of it, situational football, he talks about it whether it’s red zone touchdowns, third down conversions, protecting the ball—it’d be nice to go through a game without turning the ball over—and being able to get a first down at the end of the game when you have to as opposed to punting it back. There’s lots of things that we can get better at.”
Put it all together and it’s not just wishful thinking to think the Broncos can go deep into the playoffs.
Believe it. Embrace it. Savor it.
And by all means, enjoy the ride the rest of this season, wherever the final stop turns out to be.
Do you think the Broncos are a legitimate contender to go to make a run in the playoffs? Thanks you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I hope you and your families have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!! HAVE A SAFE AND AWESOME HOLIDAY!!
Denver has a good shot. Locking up a first round bye would help. One game at a time.
I can only echo strands thoughts, that everyone has a safe and peaceful holiday.
A first round bye and not playing the pats in there house would go a long way!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING BRONCO FANS!
I think we will at least get to the AFC championship game against the texans. And we can probably win that one
Someone needs to get word to the broncos staff!!!!! I have a cousin that lives in KC and is close to a couple players. He told me the chiefs put a bounty on Peyton and are looking to put him out of the game. From what he’s been told, the management is upset and wants revenge for Peyton not considering KC as a place to play. I guess Peyton supposedly said KC is not an option and wont entertain a phone call from them. I think we should take this seriously.
Kelly, Don’t worry about the Pats and Texans, The team we need to beat is the Ravens and it would be nice if they had to come to our place for a change. The last five times over a twelve season stretch have been in Baltimore.