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Peyton "Not Done Yet" Manning + Orange Crush = 2-0 baby!

It was just the second game of the season, on the road, after a short week, so there was a lot of concern (including by yours truly) that this game had the makings of a disaster. But the Broncos treated this rivalry game like it was the Super Bowl they should have played two years ago or the playoff game last year - and never gave up.

By Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann
Peter Aiken/Getty Images

"Holy 2-0," Broncos Country!

Wow. Just wow. And wow again.

I have watched many an improbable ending in my lifetime as a Broncos fan, but that game last night is up there among the most amazing finishes...ever.

Thank you, Gary Kubiak (I told you all a few weeks ago this should be a thing).

We just witnessed "kicking and screaming" by both offense and defense.

The Chiefs are no slouch of a team, and we all knew it was going to be a tough game no matter how dominant the defense has been or how good our offense could potentially be.

After last week's poor showing, there were a lot of questions on offense, and it was no gimme (though a very definite possibility) our defense would be able to contain Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles.

As it turns out, both happened ... and then some.

The offense looked OK and then dismal to start off, but a couple of great drives late in the first half, featuring Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders, plus sacks and turnovers created by the defense, pulled the team - and fans - right back into the game.

When the Broncos almost looked like the offense couldn't be consistent enough to get a drive going and the defense might be wearing down a bit, both rallied strong in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, making the game more of an offensive contest than we thought it could be but once again allowing the defense to be the savior we knew it would be.

And when you can't enjoy a victory that astounding at your home field, at least you can do it at your rival's really, really, obnoxiously loud stadium ... and quiet the crowd with authority.

A little Tweetcap for fun:

Horse Tracks

What we learned: Should Broncos speed up offense? - NFL.com
The Kansas City Chiefs were the better team for much of the game on Thursday night, but things changed when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos utilized their no-huddle attack.

Manning attacks Fleming on game-tying drive - NFL.com
Peyton Manning and the Broncos made the right call in their Thursday win over the Chiefs by relentlessly targeting cornerback Jamell Fleming on a clutch fourth-quarter drive.

Broncos score two last-minute TDs to stun Chiefs - NFL.com
Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a game-tying touchdown, just before Jamaal Charles' crucial fumble on Thursday night.

Peyton Manning finds Emmanuel Sanders, his deep pass at the right time
Peyton Manning hasn't looked like himself in 2015, but an efficient two-minute drill looked like it was just what he needed in the Broncos' comeback.

Peyton Manning quiets critics in Denver Broncos' win over Chiefs
The Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning pushed the narrative about his career demise off the table Thursday with an improbable victory over the Chiefs.

Jamaal Charles of Kansas City Chiefs shoulders loss -- 'It's all on me'
Running back Jamaal Charles has won more than his share of games for the Kansas City Chiefs over the years. He says he cost them one Thursday night.

Broncos-Chiefs final score: Jamaal Charles' fumble costs KC in 31-24 loss to Denver - Arrowhead Pride
A stunning loss at Arrowhead.

Don’t Call Me Underrated | Chris Harris Jr. for The Players' Tribune
I've always been an underdog. In college, I had a great career. I started every game. I had the second-most tackles in Kansas history. I was one of the best players, offense or defense, in the nation.

Ovation for Chiefs' Eric Berry on regular-season Kansas City return
The loudest cheer of player introductions before Thursday's game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs was reserved for Eric Berry.

Broncos' C.J. Anderson plays against Chiefs - NFL.com
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson played in Thursday night's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. The running back has been dealing with a toe injury.

Breaking down Demaryius Thomas', Justin Houston's and Stephen Gostkowski's offseason transactions
In ESPN The Magazine's Transactions issue, we put Demaryius Thomas', Justin Houston's and Stephen Gostkowski's franchise tags to the analytics test.

J.J. Watt of Houston Texans got call from mom over lost helmet - Houston Texans Blog - ESPN
J.J. Watt's mom called to check on the Texans DE after he lost his helmet during a play in Houston's Week 1 loss.

Matthew Berry's Love/Hate list, sleepers, busts, best starts and sits for fantasy football Week 2
Matthew Berry dishes out his player advice for Week 2 lineup-setting, and responds to last week's outpouring of hate from readers.

Sean Payton on C.J. Spiller's Week 2 status: 'We'll see' - NFL.com
Saints coach Sean Payton reverted to cryptic mode when asked if running back C.J. Spiller would make his season debut on Sunday.. "We'll see," the coach said. Read the rest of Thursday's injury news.

Bortles: Fans don't know enough to question play calls - NFL.com
The Jaguars' offense is still trying to find itself in the nascent Blake Bortles era. On Wednesday, some frustration appeared to show when a reporter asked the quarterback about fan criticism.

Harbaugh: Raiders' pass rush 'one of the best' in NFL - NFL.com
Coming off a 33-13 drubbing by Cincinnati, the Raiders left many asking: Has anything changed in Oakland? Ravens coach John Harbaugh, though, sees a legitimate strength on Oakland's roster.

Bill O'Brien on Ryan Mallett: Let it rip and go play QB - NFL.com
Ryan Mallett will get the start for the Houston Texans when they travel to Carolina to face the Panthers. Coach Bill O'Brien had a simple message for his QB ahead of Sunday's game.

In This Stream

NFL Week 2: Denver Broncos 31, Kansas City Chiefs 24

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