Good morning, Broncos Country!
The day is finally here.
The Denver Broncos are once again playing host to a huge game. It’s felt like 84 years since this happened. All kidding aside, it’s been a decade since the Broncos were in a similar
position.
Sitting at the top of the AFC West standings at 8-2, Denver has a chance to deliver a blow to the Kansas City Chiefs’ odds of winning another divisional title. Heck, even their playoff chances. Kansas City enters today at 5-4 and in third place in the AFC West.
It doesn’t get much bigger than this for either team.
In a tight game, the margin for error is even smaller. One way the Broncos could benefit is from the game being played at Empower Field at Mile High today.
When asked on Friday what he expects from the environment at Mile High, Sean Payton said on Friday:
“I think the most important thing is crowd noise in the huddle and to the line of scrimmage. The altitude obviously is not crowd-related, but we played in some noisy stadiums. I hate when they play those NBA things like follow the ball. As soon as they do that, everyone is quiet. So I don’t think you want to talk to an NFL crowd like you want to an NBA crowd.
“I think the crowd noise is super important with pass rush on third down. It doesn’t just have to be third down. When they’re in the huddle, it would surprise you how hard it is. Some stadiums are promoting that noise when they break the huddle. I would say in the huddle is just as important because talking, the first discussion amongst 11 (players) can get hectic. I can’t tell you about 10 years, nine years (ago). It’s an important game. It’s a division game, but crowd noise certainly can benefit us.”
Given how long it’s been since the Broncos were in this situation, Broncos Country is going to bring the Rocky Mountain Thunder in epic fashion. The fans are going to do their part to help their home team get the victory.
The other aspect that will help the Broncos, at least in Payton’s mind, is the week they’ve had. Coupled with the mini-bye and a break after seven games in 39 days, tying an NFL record, Denver is ready. Payton said there are a number of things he and the coaches have done this week to make practices more game-like.
“We’ve had a good week,” Payton said to the local media on Friday. “These guys are focused. They certainly understand the significance of the game. It’s like I said to them before, ‘You’re going to play in bigger games,’ but this is the next one.”
For this huge game, Broncos fans are going to bring it today. They’re going to be loud and proud.
It’s been a decade since a game of this magnitude has happened in Denver, and Broncos fans will act like it.
