November 11th 2024.
Troy Renck: It was a tough loss for the Broncos, and the players woke up on Monday feeling angry, disappointed, and stunned. The game was not only a disappointment on the field, but it also led to conspiracy theories on social media. Many people were wondering if the Broncos were being unfairly targeted by the officials or if it was just a case of bad luck. Some questionable calls did go against the Broncos, which only added fuel to the fire. So, Sean, do we need to take a step back and reflect on what went wrong for the Broncos, or should we start believing in the Chiefs' conspiracy theories?
Sean Keeler: Let's get one thing straight, Blucifer is not the cursed horse of the apocalypse, and Walt Disney is not hiding in a freezer under the Magic Kingdom. We also highly doubt that the NFL is purposely trying to make sure Andy Reid wins every game. However, we can't deny that the morning after the game, watching the "phantom" contact flag thrown at Brandon Jones was unsettling. It makes you wonder. Referees are human, and they can make mistakes, but when those mistakes directly impact the game, it's hard not to start thinking about conspiracy theories.
Renck: The illegal contact call on Brandon Jones was outrageous and ultimately led to the Chiefs' only touchdown. It's not that the Chiefs get all the calls in their favor, but it's more about the perception that they always seem to get them when they need them the most. The NFL even made it a point to address illegal formations and false starts because of Kansas City's right tackle, but somehow, he continues to avoid penalties. And let's not forget about the down judge, Sarah Thomas, who was caught face-timing her family with pop star Taylor Swift before the game. While it may not have compromised her integrity, it certainly doesn't look good.
Keeler: It didn't help when a hot mic caught Patrick Mahomes asking an official to "let me know if he gets close," which was heard by the entire national TV audience. Immediately, people were speculating if it was about the proximity of Broncos defenders or Taylor's unique alignments. It was most likely the latter, but let's be real here, stars tend to get favorable calls. We see it all the time in the NBA, and it's frustrating for both fans and players when it happens. The Chiefs have a star-studded team with Mahomes, Kelce, Reid, and even Taylor Swift, making them a force to be reckoned with. And in the NFL, it's no secret that the most important color is green.
Renck: While some fans may want to blame the referees for the loss, for me, it's more about the Broncos' roster. It was a reminder that they still have areas to improve, especially on offense. They only managed 10 yards in their first three drives after halftime and were shut out in the second half for the second week in a row. It's clear that they need more playmakers on the field. Starting rookie Audric Estime was a step in the right direction, but now coach Sean Payton needs to follow through on his word and give more opportunities to Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. until Josh Reynolds returns. This loss may have stung, but the Broncos need to use it as motivation to come together and improve, instead of making excuses.
Keeler: Let's not forget that Sarah Thomas or Taylor Swift didn't cause Alex Forsyth to fall on his backside, or make those questionable play-calls in the third quarter. The Illuminati also doesn't have a huge bet riding on the Chiefs starting 10-0 and the Buffs winning the Big 12. As we predicted, the Broncos came out with a lot of energy and determination after their disappointing loss to Baltimore. But in the end, they were outsmarted by the Chiefs' defensive coordinator and special teams coach. Before we start accusing the NFL of conspiracies, we need to focus on fixing our own issues first. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
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