IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S TIIIIIIIIIIIIME! (*Bruce Buffer voice*)
This is the main event we’ve all been waiting for, and I’m geeking out. I’m not going to lie to you guys. This game against the Steelers is the beginning of the most-important playoff run since the Broncos’ first title run. Why? Because it may be the last one we have for a long, long time.
Even after we lost to the Ravens, Seahawks and Colts, at least Broncos Country could head into the next season with the realistic expectations of another Super Bowl run. I can’t say that this year.
We just don’t know. If I had told you that it would take nearly two decades for the Broncos to get back to the Super Bowl following John Elway‘s last win, would you have believed me? If I told you it’s going to take another decade plus for the Broncos to get back into a position where they’re vying for titles on a yearly basis, would you believe me?
This, as far as anyone can tell, is Peyton Manning‘s last stand, and whether or not you think he’s the answer right now, he’s the reason the Broncos are in the position they’re in — having been the No. 1 seed three of the last four years. The moment he leaves Denver, it’s all up in the air, even if you do believe in Brock Osweiler.
How will we look back on these last four years if the Manning-era Broncos don’t walk away with a single championship? For me, it’ll be nothing short of a complete disaster. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, but when they do, you have to take advantage of them.
This year, starting with the Steelers, will, in all likelihood, be their last chance.
With that said, here are three things all Broncos fans need to be watching for this weekend:
Bonus: Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots
Now, I don’t want any of us to get ahead of ourselves, but if there’s any other game you should be watching this weekend, it’s this one. Everybody seems to be giving Tom Brady and Bill Belichick the benefit of the doubt, but they’re the ones riding a two-game losing streak, while the Chiefs are riding high with 11 straight wins.
And if there’s one thing you should be paying extra close attention to, it’s the Kansas City pass rush. They’ll be going up against a beat-up offensive line, much like the one Denver will be trotting out on Sunday, and their performance could give us some great insight into what the Broncos could possibly accomplish in the AFC Championship game (*knock on wood*).
If the Chiefs pass rush can dominate New England’s o-line, then so should the Broncos. Conversely, if Belichick devizes a way to combat the rush and minimize the effect of his line, the Broncos will be able to use that to their advantage next week (*KNOCKS ON WOOD*).
