In a battle of Super Bowl hopefuls, the Denver Broncos (8-2) will host the Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) in NFL Week 11. The two AFC West rivals are meeting at a pivotal time of the year, when the contenders begin to separate from the pretenders.
According to one NFL expert, the Broncos are viewing this as a monumental moment in the Mile High City. ESPN's Adam Schefter says team management is putting a huge emphasis on the game, feeling a victory would be a huge 'statement win' for Denver.
"Broncos officials consider Sunday’s game vs. The Chiefs the biggest NFL game in Denver in almost a decade," Schefter wrote on X. "Since the 2016 AFC Championship game in which Peyton Mannnning and Tom Brady squared off against each other for the final time in their NFL careers. On that day, Denver beat New England 20-18 to advance to Super Bowl 50."
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Since then, the Chiefs have dominated the AFC West and the league, winning three Super Bowls. But with KC's dropoff this season, the Broncos have taken advantage. Led by outstanding young quarterback Bo Nix, Denver looks to be forming the next divisional dynasty.
"We are tired of being close. We do not want to be close anymore," Nix said recently. "We have to make steps to get over that line."