In the 30 days leading up to the start of Denver Broncos Training Camp 2016, we’re examining 30 big questions for the season. We’ll make a case for each answer; you’ll vote and tell Broncos Country what’s going to happen this year.
The Denver Broncos have been fortunate to not have to play a playoff game away from Sports Authority Field at Mile High since 2011.
Playing on the road is never easy, especially with the stakes as high as they are in the playoffs. But with a up-and-coming AFC West and a tough schedule, locking up home field advantage in the playoffs will be harder than ever.
Their new dedication to the run and their tough defense will certainly play to the Broncos’ advantage, but how far can that carry them on the road come January?
If the scenario does arise where the Broncos do have to play a playoff game on the road, which of these teams would Denver have the best chance of beating?
Cincinnati Bengals
The Broncos have played the Cincinnati Bengals in each of the last two seasons. Denver fell on the road in 2014 thanks to running back Jeremy Hill’s 147 yards on the ground and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick’s two interception game in their Week 16 meeting of the 2014 season. The Broncos exacted revenge last year when the two teams met once again in a Week 16 Monday night showdown, this time defeating the Bengals on an A.J. McCarron fumble in overtime. Despite not beating the Bengals in Cincinnati in recent years, the Broncos have shown that they can give the Bengals a game no matter where they play.
Kansas City Chiefs
The mystique surrounding Arrowhead Stadium is not what it once was. The Broncos haven’t had much trouble winning in Kansas City over the last few years, going 5-0 since 2011. If the season ends up leading the Broncos into Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs in January, the Broncos have as good of a shot as taking home the victory as the Chiefs do. Winning playoff games is nothing new to the Broncos either, who have won six in the past five years. The Chiefs’ 30-0 victory over the Houston Texans, meanwhile, was their first playoff victory since 1993. The Broncos will take on the Chiefs in Arrowhead on Christmas Day, so they may get a little taste of what lies ahead of them in January. While Arrowhead may be home to one of the loudest cheering sections in professional sports, another Broncos victory in their house would surely quiet the fans down.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Going into Heinz Field and taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs wouldn’t be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. The Broncos couldn’t even win their Week 15 meeting in 2015 despite holding a 27-13 lead heading into the half. They were dominated in the second half, ultimately dropping the game 34-27. If the Broncos had that much trouble beating the Steelers in the regular season, it would only be that much harder come January. The Broncos, though, have had recent success against the Steelers in the playoffs, defeating them in the 2011 playoffs, and again on their way to becoming Super Bowl 50 champions just last season. As mentioned earlier, the Broncos new dedication to the run and a good defense will help them tremendously come playoff time. If the Broncos do happen to play in Pittsburgh in January, the smashmouth style of football that the Steelers have been known for for so long could be what the Broncos use to steal a win.
New England Patriots
Every Broncos fan’s worst nightmare would become a reality if Denver ends up having to head into Gillette Stadium in January to take on the New England Patriots. If this scenario happens and the Broncos manage to escape with a win, it would be the first time in the history of the franchise that the Broncos won a playoff game in New England. As a matter of fact, the Broncos haven’t even won a regular season game in New England since 2006. Even though those stats don’t fall in the Broncos’ favor, Brady hasn’t asserted his dominance over the Broncos lately. If the Broncos do head into New England in January, Brady knows that the Denver defense is going to be in his face all game. While Gillette Stadium hasn’t been kind to the Broncos, Brady’s 5-7 record against Denver sure has.
What does Broncos Country think? Who do the Broncos have the best chance of beating on the road in the playoffs?
30 QUESTIONS: Who would the Broncos have the best chance to beat on the road in the playoffs?
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) July 25, 2016
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