Arrowhead Pride’s Dakota Watson was in the stands for the Kansas City Chiefs’ 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. We asked him to report on his experience in Colorado’s mile-high city.
I wanted
this article to be different. I hoped to write about the Chiefs reclaiming AFC West glory. I hoped to write about the Broncos’ fans leaving their own stadium with their heads low — and doubts about both their second-year quarterback and their place in the AFC playoff picture.
I hoped for what we used to believe was a given: head coach Andy Reid’s dominance after a bye week.
Instead, it was I who left the stadium with my own doubts about a Chiefs team that has spoiled me with their dominance over the past eight seasons. It was I who struggled to defend the performance of an inept Chiefs’ offense to the Denver faithful around me. It was I who just tried to hold my head low and get as far away from Empower Field at Mile High Stadium as fast as humanly possible, while I heard chants of “Chiefs suck” rain down around me.
While the team’s performance has sometimes been difficult to watch this season, my doubts and frustration about this Chiefs team did not stop me from traveling roughly 600 miles to Denver, Colorado for what felt like the renewal of one of the great NFL rivalries.
The stadium experience
Mile High is the sixth stadium in the NFL that I have visited. Overall, I would rate the stadium as positive and right in the middle of the pack among personal experiences. It was Denver’s “Salute To Service” game. Throughout the day, there were great moments honoring the men and women of the United States military.
The public transit options to arrive or depart the stadium are strong. We utilized the RTD (Regional Transportation District) public rail system, which was very affordable and easy to use — even though the train was naturally crowded after the game. As much as I love GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the public transportation options in Kansas City are lacking compared to other cities — but on the other hand, that contributes to Arrowhead’s amazing tailgate atmosphere.
The pregame festivities in the parking lot and areas surrounding the stadium were lacking compared to the Arrowhead experience. There were certainly tailgaters and nice setups, but nowhere near what I’m accustomed to; the smell of barbecue wasn’t strong near the stadium.
The stadium feels somewhat dated, although that didn’t dampen the experience. Based solely on my experience, it is surprising that Denver is seeking to build a new stadium. I feel this has more to do with new ownership than the actual quality of the current stadium.
Food and beverage options were strong: there was good local fare, as well as a five-dollar menu that was affordable and higher quality than expected at a stadium. Before the game, the Broncos had a flyover of four F-35 fighter jets as well as a team of skydivers that land in the stadium before each game. It was a unique and exciting experience to see the skills (and nerve) of the skydivers.
With Arrowhead being my home stadium, I have yet to experience crowd noise elsewhere that comes close to what we hear in Kansas City. Admittedly, being in the upper level was a little unnerving with the “stomp” and shaking of the seats and concourse; at that point, I was definitely trusting the building’s structural integrity!
The Broncos build their homefield advantage on the back of the city’s mile-high status. Nearly all videoboard material and clips to fire up the home crowd boast the elevation in Colorado. Speaking as someone who hiked the surrounding areas the day before the game, the altitude is no joke! I feel it truly is an advantage for the home team (although it is something that the Chiefs — being a division opponent — should be accustomed to).
“Chiefs fatigue” is real
Across the NFL landscape, “Chiefs fatigue” is rampant. Everyone hates a winner, and Kansas City has been king of the AFC West for nearly a decade. This was certainly palpable in Denver — more so than any other city I’ve been to as a visiting fan.
We spent the whole weekend in our Chiefs gear — and we did receive some ribbing from the Denver faithful. From getting threatened to be run over in parking lots (I think she was joking) to being told we were lost (or maybe it was to “get lost”) at restaurants, wearing the Arrowhead in Broncos’ Country does not go unnoticed. After all, this is a rivalry that goes back decades, and Denver used to be the more successful playoff team.
For the most part, the Broncos fans we encountered were respectful and welcoming. We encountered fans who gave us tips on navigating the area and ways to enjoy the pregame festivities, as well as fans who gave the Chiefs their flowers.
However, even with the overall civility, Chiefs fatigue was clearly present. We heard it on local sports talk radio. We felt it in the air each time tight end Travis Kelce caught a reception — and especially when he scored the go-ahead touchdown. (The Broncos’ PA announcer did not mention that Kelce had set Kansas City’s franchise record for touchdowns scored). I could feel the tension in the air from the fans around me when quarterback Patrick Mahomes had the ball in the fourth quarter.
The conspiracy that NFL officiating is favoring Kansas City is alive and well, at least for the group of fans that were around me; it is a real thing despite the horrible or missed calls that happen in every NFL game. The Denver fans near me complained about every call in the Chiefs’ favor — along with every perceived non-call. There was a strong feeling from these fans that the officiating favored Mahomes.
A rivalry renewed
Walking away from the stadium after the 22-19 defeat, you could feel the excitement in the air from Denver fans. After a game that increased Denver’s opportunity for its first AFC West title since 2015, they truly believe the tide has turned.
I did not meet one person who doubts Broncos’ quarterback Bo Nix. I did hear some criticism of head coach Sean Payton — although he is given a lot of credit for resetting the culture. But it was clear that these fans love their team — and have honest hopes for a Super Bowl in February.
Kansas City dominated Denver by winning 16 consecutive games from 2015 to 2023. Now that the Broncos have won two of the last three — although many fans believe it should have been all three due to last season’s blocked field goal — the rivalry has been renewed.
It’s true: the Broncos have a sizable lead for the division. But Chiefs’ postseason hopes are alive. There is much more football to be played in 2025 — including a rematch at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Broncos have not tasted victory since 2015.
