This story originally appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine.
It’s nice to win games in September, as those victories build a lead that puts other teams in chase mode. And it’s great to continue racking up W’s in October, as those successes create confidence that can start to galvanize a team.
But as the Broncos know all too well, it’s not good to peak before Halloween. Championships aren’t won during the first two months of the season, but rather once the leaves have fallen, temperatures have dropped and days have grown depressingly short.
That process starts in earnest this month for Denver, as they take to the field for half of their remaining regular season games. After a 6-0 start to the year that put them in good position, the Broncos need to come out of their bye week ready for the stretch run.
And that won’t be easy, as November features a five-game slate that will provide plenty of challenges. In the end, how Denver fares prior to Dec. 1 will go a long way toward determining how the season will play out.
Here’s a road map through the most-important month of the season:
Nov. 1 – vs. Green Bay
Denver’s defense has been spectacular in 2015, at times playing the type of dominant football that has drawn comparisons to the Orange Crush teams from the 1970s. They’ll get their first major test of the season when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers come to town for a showdown that will surely draw huge ratings for Sunday Night Football.
Nov. 8 – at Indianapolis
Since leaving the Colts prior to the 2012 season, Peyton Manning has only returned to Lucas Oil Stadium as a visiting player one time; that didn’t go so well, as the emotion of the moment affected the quarterback’s play in a 39-33 loss that was Denver’s first blemish in 2013. This time around, playoff seeding could be at stake in what is most likely No. 18’s last chance to win at Indy.
Nov. 15 – vs. Kansas City
A devastating loss in Week 2 will still be stinging the Chiefs when they come to town, looking to avenge the Broncos’ miraculous 31-24 comeback win on a Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. That’ll be a tall order, however, as Denver has dominated Kansas City of late; the orange and blue have won seven straight over their long-time AFC West rivals.
Nov. 22 – at Chicago
Former friends will now be foes when the Broncos travel to the Windy City prior to Thanksgiving. This will be the first time Denver has faced Jay Cutler since he was traded in 2009; the quarterback missed the 2011 matchup due to injury. But that wound has almost healed; the one left by John Fox is still fresh, as the Bears head coach bailed on the Mile High City prior to a playoff game last year.
Nov. 29 – vs. New England
More likely than not, home-field advantage in the playoffs will be on the line when the defending Super Bowl champs come to town for a Sunday night showdown. If the Broncos want to avoid a trip to Foxborough in January, they’ll need to hold serve during this regular-season matchup. AFC dominance will be at stake when these two heavyweights face off on Thanksgiving weekend.
If Denver can survive this gauntlet, they’ll be in perfect position to make a Super Bowl run. Battle-tested and atop the standings, the road to Santa Clara will come through the Mile High City if November goes according to plan.