When the Denver Broncos welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to Mile High for their Week 7 matchup, there is going to be an air of inevitability.
The Broncos haven’t beat the Chiefs since the magical 2015 season. Ever since that Bradley Roby scoop and score, it has been a lopsided rivalry at best. As Ian St. Clair and I mentioned on the MHR Radio Podcast, it doesn’t look like Denver will end the 5-year losing streak to the Chiefs this time around.
But don’t let that discourage you. This game could be about more than just stealing a win against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Every game seems to bring the Broncos a step closer to true contention.
This week should be no exception. The Broncos will bet Melvin Gordon back, who will pair nicely with Phillip Lindsay, who returned to the field in a big way against the Patriots. Noah Fant might be ready to go, as well. Imagine two tight end sets with Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam. Matchup nightmares all around for the Chiefs, and a Drew Lock wet dream.
Throw in the potential return of KJ Hamler, and the offense just might be poised to break into the end zone a few times. It is going to take touchdowns to keep up with the Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Hamler could help stretch the field and make that happen.
On defense, the Broncos looked strong against the Patriots. They have kept the Broncos in every game this season. Now, it looks like AJ Bouye could also be ready to come back from his injury.
There are so many ways the Chiefs can put points on the board. What the Broncos have been able to do to stop the run this season could help make the Chiefs one-dimensional. If they are forced to go to the air, however, they have the players to give Denver fits. Bouye, paired with Bryce Callahan, and a rapidly improving Michael Ojemudia might be what the defense needs.
There’s no doubt that getting a win is fairly unlikely for the Broncos. The Chiefs sit atop the NFL, and look like a Super Bowl favorite again.
The Broncos are still several steps away from truly competing with the Chiefs. It may not end up with a win in Week 7, but a strong showing would be a big indicator of just how far away Denver is from getting back to competing for AFC West titles.