It’s OK to believe the Broncos can pull off a victory over the Chiefs

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Earlier in the week I thought my HT would address why it was time to switch quarterbacks - change the momentum, give the team “a spark,” etc., etc., before it plays what I consider to be the toughest game on the schedule.

But then I interviewed Von Miller and he’s so freakin’ optimistic and ready to do whatever it takes to win that I had to check my fan card and adjust my attitude.

And then I watched Jamaal Charles smile from ear to ear as he talked about playing for both the Chiefs and Broncos, about cheering for Kareem Hunt to do well in his NFL career, about hopefully getting more touches this week (yes, please!).

Then I remembered something Chris Harris Jr. said on Monday (after he said, of course, that the defense just has to find a way to not let opponents score any points - lol):

“This is the time you see who wants it and who wants to step up and make plays and figure out who wants to take their game to the next level.”

So then I decided that should apply to fans too - it’s time to see who among us wants to step up and take this support to the next level.

Because it most definitely is going to require a new level.

The Broncos are coming off one of the most disappointing losses in a really long time (and that’s saying something for a team that has often taken “disappointing” to new heights).

And the rhetoric out of Dove Valley appears to show some fissure among players as well as some denial among coaches.

I’m not talking about suddenly believing our current quarterback will be Superman (or even insisting he remain the starter). I’m not talking about ignoring the “stop, drop and roll” approach to block assignments our right tackles tend to take.

I’m talking about just believing in the possibility that the strengths of the team can overcome the odds and propel the Broncos to a win - however unlikely - on Monday Night Football.

Plus, the team isn’t going to play any better with all of us bitching and moaning about what they already know too. But it could definitely play worse if it doesn’t feel support from its fans.

We’re not the Browns, so let’s believe in a little (Mile High at Arrowhead) magic.

Stranger things have happened. And who doesn’t want to be on the right side of history when the Broncos pull it off?

So here is why they can do it:

Shane Ray is back and pumped to cause turnovers

Soon-to-be-activated off the IR, Ray will get to play his first game of the 2017 season against his hometown team - and he can’t wait to get a strip sack.

“It’s my job to help create turnovers, create strip-sacks, fumbles, batted balls — just be disruptive,” Ray said. “With me coming back into the fold [and] us being more dynamic in how we rush the passer, we can basically start creating turnovers. That’s what we need. This team lives and thrives off of the turnover margin, and we haven’t done a good job of getting the ball this year. So we have to do better.”

He’s fired up and will be ready to bring Alex Smith back down to earth...literally.

Our run D can neutralize Kareem-the-Dream

Kareem Hunt has been dynamite, averaging over 100 yards per game as a rookie. But if there is a run defense out there to stop him, it is the Broncos’ D, ranked first against the run. Taking away the run threat from the Chiefs will put more pressure on Smith - who is going to feel the heat from an anxious Shane Ray (see above), so the Chiefs offense is going to break down.

“We’re the No. 1 run defense in the National Football League. We plan on taking care of the run game because that’s what their team thrives off of,” Ray said Thursday. “If they can run the ball, and they have over 60 yards rushing or 100 yards rushing with that guy, that’s how they’ve been able to air out the ball—get the ball out of Alex’s hands fast.”

Ray added that he also sees a favorable matchup between the Broncos and Chiefs.

“We match up against this team very well with what they do well and what we do well,” he said. “Stopping the run is key, first off. Then being able to attack Alex Smith and the quick and deep passes. That’s where rush and coverage come in together. You have to stop the run first. It starts there.”

Jamaal Charles is playing against the team that cut him

And if there is any game a player really wants to play well in, it’s the game against a former team that cut him.

Welcome to Broncos v. Chiefs 2017.

Charles was cut by KC in the offseason after spending the past two years in and out of the training room for knee injuries.

The veteran running back still has lots of love for his former team, but make no mistake - he also wants to prove to them and the KC fans, that he still has the goods.

If Joseph and Mike McCoy will just put “(Jamaal) Charles in Charge” and unleash him in the backfield, the running back could have a breakout game Sunday against a relatively poor Chiefs’ run defense.

“I’m happy with whatever they give me,” Charles said Thursday about getting more touches. “I’m ready, get these training wheels off.”

Our offensive playmakers can beat the Chiefs defenders

Kansas City plays most of its defense in man coverage and that means our top-notch receivers are likely to find a one-on-one situation that Siemian can take advantage of - something he did well in the first two games of the season.

With the Chiefs down a starter in safety Eric Berry, their secondary is not as strong a unit as earlier in the season, which bodes well for Demaryius Thomas and the receiving corps, especially if that includes Emmanuel Sanders.

“Basically just giving the quarterback opportunities if he wanted to come my way. That’s basically trying to get open every play I can get,” Thomas said on how he can impact this game. “Besides that, I’m big on the running game. Blocking my man, blocking the safety and blocking whoever I have to spring the running back. That was one of my main focuses, doing my job and trying to be the leader to get stuff moving for us.”

Von Miller said so

So there.

This sounds like such a non-reason reason...unless, of course, you talked to Rev. Von Miller, who can preach you down the aisle, singing and dancing the whole way.

The 250-pound linebacker is so passionate about winning, about being the catalyst to turning the season around with one strip-sack, that it’s just silly to pretend he can’t.

“I feel like I can single-handedly change the game. I’ve done it before and I just need another one this week,” Miller told Mile High Report.

So, hey, I’m on board.

Paint my face blue and orange, get me the words to that silly fight song, and let’s do this Broncos Country.

“It’s going to come down to who makes the least mistakes and who really executes the game plan,” Miller said Thursday. “We’re very familiar with this team. They’re very familiar with us. We just have to go out there and play. Hopefully, it will be our night. I can feel it. We just have to go out there and take it one play at a time.”

I can feel it too, Von. I can feel it too.

So much so, I’m playing hype videos from 2015-16 playoffs (and it’s working).

Horse Tracks - docllv’s pick of the day

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Horse Tracks

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