What is left to follow for todays game for the Broncos faithful? What storylines are alive and well today versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver? What can we hope to see or hear in today’s game that was moved from Sunday to Saturday so that the Chargers and Raiders playoff spot battle could be flexed to primetime? How has the season gotten to the point where were out of the playoffs, no longer battling for an above .500 record, and playing a meaningless game in week 19 of the NFL 2021 season? Here is the season story followed by what could be exciting today.

Season Recap

The 2021-22 season started out so promising for the Denver Broncos going 3-0 versus the dumpster of the NFL with three straight convincing victories including two on the road. Only to be matched by an equally devastating four game losing streak, three of which came to the hands of the AFC North. The season would seemingly start to get back on track with back-to-back convincing victories over playoff teams from a year ago.

Followed by a downright bad performance to the 4-6 Eagles at home, where the Broncos played as bad as they have all season. Heading into the Bye week at 5-5, better than it had been in the past, but still not great. The Broncos would emerge from their Bye to beat the Chargers at home, lose to the Chiefs on the road in convincing fashion and blow out the single win Detroit Lions in Denver. Sitting at 7-6 with their playoff dreams alive and well, getting national attention and recognized as in the playoff hunt, the team would unravel in the last month of the season

The team would lose a game in Denver in which the defense held the Bengals to 15 points and they would lose a second game in which the defense held the Raiders to 17 points. Both of those game would ultimately be games that propelled the opponents into the playoffs and submarined the Broncos playoff hopes. Sitting at 7-8 now, the team has a chance to at least get back above .500 which has not happened since the 2016 season, Broncos play against the Chargers on the road with a playoff hope, but the reality is it wasn’t very likely… They get absolutely drudged, losing 34-13 all phased of the team failed, and it was clear the season was over.

Broncos vs Chiefs pre-game storylines:

• Can Drew Lock beat his childhood team and end the Broncos current 11-game losing streak versus the division opponent? Beating the Chiefs will prevent them from securing a first round Bye in the playoffs and give their Super Bowl run another degree of difficulty.
• Can Drew Lock put up an impressive outing so that the Denver Broncos and the rest of the NFL can have as much positive tape on him to make a decision about his future?
• Can Javonte Williams get 143 rushing yards to break 1000 for his rookie campaign?
• Does Jerry Jeudy get a single 100-yard game or a single touchdown for the 2021-22 season?
• With Brandon McManus and Sam Martin both potentially out with Covid-19… how do the Broncos handle kicking duties, or do we just attempt every fourth down and go for two-point conversions after every score?
• Injury report was heavy this week, Patrick Surtain II, Ronald Darby, Kareem Jackson, Dalton Risner will be out. Can the secondary survive three starters missing? Will Netane Muti or Quinn Meinerz step in for Risner and will they elevate the play of the offensive line?
• Does special teams have a redemption game after muffing a punt, giving up a monster kick return on the opening kick last week, then eventually giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown later in the game?
• Getting Brandon Browning and Kenny Young back in the mix, how does the team give reps to Jonas Griffith who earned additional reps with his play during their injuries?
• Who finishes the season as the Broncos leading receiver? Right now, Courtland Sutton has a 109-yard lead over Noah Fant. Tim Patrick currently has a single touchdown lead over Noah Fant for that category. Noah Fant is currently leading the team with 10 more receptions than Courtland Sutton.
• Is earning a season ending victory versus a division opponent worth the potential impact it will have on the Broncos draft position? Since they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, if the season ended right now, the Broncos would draft 11th in the 2022 NFL draft…
  • If the Broncos win, they could potentially draft as high as 14th with a handful of teams losing their games.
  • With a Broncos loss, we cannot go any farther down than draft pick 11, but there are many scenarios where we could get a pick as high as pick seven. If Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle and Washington all win, the Broncos would get the seventh pick in the draft…

Follow along today at 2:30pm MT and let’s see how this season ends, and I don’t think I am along in saying that whatever the outcome, GO BRONCOS, Fire Pat Shurmur, Fire Coach Fangio and Fire Tom McMahon. #BroncosCountry. Check out my other article about firing the coaching staff: http://www.centennial-sports.com/2022/01/03/coaching-staff-time-to-move-on/

About Post Author

Aaron Hubert

Major Colorado sports fan who was once, for an entire year, a paid writer covering the entire Colorado sports scene. I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, a huge fan of all the professional sports Colorado had to offer. I played Football and Basketball in High School. I attended Colorado State University for undergrad, earning my degree in Business with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. I work as a professional Product Manager in the software development space for Fanatics.com the sports apparel company. I am a Fantasy Football and Fantasy Hockey participant, not sure if that will ever be worked into these writings, but keeping my option open! I really enjoy the process of being a huge fan of sports, being a passionate Colorado sports advocate, and using social media and writing to express my beliefs and opinions about sports.

aaronh92@hotmail.com

http://www.centennial-sports.com

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