The Denver Broncos are preparing for a crucial game against the Kansas City Chiefs, with significant implications for their postseason hopes. With two games left in the regular season, Denver has an opportunity to secure its first AFC West division title since 2015 and claim the top seed in the AFC if they win both remaining matchups.
Head Coach Sean Payton commented on the team’s situation, stating, “Every one of these players understands the significance of where we’re at with two games left in the season.”
Denver’s next challenge is a trip to Kansas City, where they will attempt to sweep the Chiefs for the first time since 2014. Guard Quinn Meinerz spoke about what is at stake: “Everything’s at stake for us here. We’ve put ourselves in a really good position here to be playing extremely important and meaningful games here in December. It’s extremely important to win these games, secure the [No.] 1 seed, [the] AFC West — these are the things that you start out thinking about at the beginning of training camp [in terms] of what are your aspirations for the season.
“Everything’s right here in front of us. We’ve got to take it one play at a time, ’cause that’s all you can really control here, is one play at a time. The rest of it will take care of itself.”
Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi noted that while focus has been consistent throughout the season due to team maturity, there is added urgency now: “It’s a privilege to be playing meaningful December football,” Lombardi said. “I think they appreciate that.”
After losing their previous game against Jacksonville, quarterback Bo Nix explained how that setback has motivated them as they prepare for Thursday Night Football: “I think the loss did nothing but help us be even more motivated and understand that we’re not where we want to be and we’ve got a lot more to go out there and do,” Nix said. “Sometimes a loss, especially in this league, it gives you a good reality check and puts you back on course. Obviously, you want to win every single game and nobody wants to lose — especially with the opportunities we felt like we had Sunday. But they played a good game, and we got beat. I think we’ve just got to look in the mirror and fix things. We’ve got the team that we’re going to be able to fix things faster because of a loss. [I’m] excited to see what we do in response to that.”
As Denver prepares for their matchup at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day—where wins have historically been rare—Nix summed up their approach: “You’ve just got to keep winning,” Nix said. “Whatever it takes to win the game. Doesn’t really, at this point, matter what it looks like. All the cool, flashy stuff can have already happened. Now, it’s just who’s got more points.”
