November 11th 2024.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been causing immeasurable pain for the Denver Broncos. The recent loss at Arrowhead Stadium marks the ninth consecutive defeat at the hands of the Chiefs, and the psychological toll is beginning to shake the faith of both the team and their devoted fans, known as Broncos Country.
It's like trying to blend a heart in a blender over and over again, until you finally give up and unplug it. The Broncos will not be making it to the playoffs for the ninth year in a row. This was the immediate conclusion after the Chiefs pulled off a 16-14 victory.
Head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that the loss will sting. This moment will define the Broncos, but not in the way one might expect. This loss will actually lead them to the postseason. Of course, this is not what anyone wants to hear after a player on the team described it as the worst loss of his entire career.
But there is an important lesson to be learned here: don't point fingers and always finish strong at the end of each quarter. In the past, the Broncos have failed because of poor coaching, lack of talent, and a weak team dynamic. But this time, after being dealt a devastating blow, things feel different.
This team has something special. They have more character than showmanship. It all starts with offensive lineman Alex Forsyth. On the final play of the game, he was pummeled by Kansas City's Leo Chenal, who successfully blocked Wil Lutz's 35-yard field goal attempt. But when I spoke with Forsyth, he took full responsibility for the mishap. That is the only way to move forward and improve.
Forsyth admitted that he needs to be stronger in those situations. He also mentioned that the Chiefs had four players on that side, but it didn't come as a surprise to the team. They were prepared for it. This would have been the Broncos' biggest victory since their Super Bowl 50 win. It was a huge game, and unfortunately, the Broncos became a meme. But Forsyth shouldn't bear the brunt of the blame in the grand scheme of things, even though he will inevitably face criticism and backlash from upset fans.
The sooner the Broncos can come to terms with the fact that this loss was not solely on Forsyth's shoulders, the better. They need to band together and not play the victim. This has been a recurring theme for the team over the past decade. Forsyth was knocked down, but it was not a one-man show. As center Luke Wattenberg, who sits next to Forsyth in the locker room, put it, "It's a four-quarter fight."
When told that Forsyth would likely be singled out for the loss based on video evidence, right tackle Mike McGlinchey came to his teammate's defense. He reminded everyone that there were missed opportunities throughout the game, not just on the final play. "We have to come together," McGlinchey stated.
Now is the time for Payton to prove his coaching abilities. If the team crumbles under the weight of this loss, it will only prove that all the talk of resilience, grit, and mental toughness was just a facade. The Broncos cannot afford to let their fans down again. They had a chance to beat the defending champions, but they fell short due to small mistakes and missed opportunities. Payton knows this all too well, as he spends his nights circling restaurant parking lots trying to figure out where things went wrong.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid revealed that they were able to take advantage of a weakness in the Broncos' field goal operation. They overloaded one side and overwhelmed Forsyth, ultimately leading to their victory. If Reid's explanation is to be believed, this was something the Broncos should have been able to fix. Payton didn't go into specifics, as he prefers to wait until he has watched the film. But one thing is clear: the Broncos are not a finished product, and they need to work on their ability to finish strong in crucial moments.
The Broncos' defense played well enough to win, even causing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to miss a wide-open touchdown pass to Travis Kelce on their final drive. It was a bit of karma after a questionable call on Broncos safety Brandon Jones earlier in the game. And while rookie quarterback Bo Nix made his debut in a hostile environment, he held his own and showed promise for the future. But he can't do it all alone. The team needs to rally around him and provide support in all areas of the game.
It's been a rollercoaster ride for the Broncos and their fans since their last Super Bowl win. There always seems to be something getting in the way of their success. But with Payton at the helm and Nix leading the way on the field, there is still hope for the future. The loss to the Chiefs was a tough pill to swallow, and the players were visibly stunned, angry, and numb in the locker room after the game. But they are invested in this team in a way that previous ones were not. They have the potential to overcome this disappointment and make it to the playoffs. And ironically, this loss may be the very reason they get there.
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