Broncos fans and Chiefs fans have been fired up all week whether it’s sports radio, Twitter and internet comments on newspapers sites. They have been busy taking shots at each other while defending their teams in the process. It’s great to see this all week. The passion both fanbases have for their teams is palpable, and it’s a reminder that’s it’s on after years of poor to mediocre football by both teams. The Broncos-Chiefs rivalry is in full effect.
Broncos fans and Chiefs fans know there is so much at stake in tonight’s game between Broncos and Chiefs. This isn’t only just fan pride, but this is a battle for the division and top seed in the AFC.
For the Chiefs, it’s about validating their 9-0 record by beating a great team in the Broncos on the road. They have had a good season, but they haven’t beaten a great team this year. This is a test to see how good they are. A win on the road will definitely get the doubters to believe they are a Super Bowl material.
They are going to make the playoffs, but they have higher aspirations. They feel they are good enough to win a championship with a great defense and a quality offense.
Even the Chiefs are curious to see how they stack up against the AFC best.
The Broncos need this game for couple of reasons.
For one thing, they need this victory, so that they can be in a position to be tied for first in the AFC West. A loss and they would be two games behind in the AFC West race. This is a loss that could be a difference maker when it comes to winning the division.
Second of all, they can’t lose to a divisional rival at home. Great teams don’t lose at home. It’s going to be difficult to win at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs feed off from their crowd, and their fans will be ready to go for the rematch in a few weeks.
Finally, a loss would raise questions about whether or not the Broncos are a team that would scare other teams in the postseason.
The Broncos defense gives up points. It’s easy to run against their defense. That would be a concern if they play in the postseason. The next two weeks would go a long way for that unit if they play well.
For both historic rivals to play for something, that’s a great thing after the rivalry was dead. Sorry, but it’s hard to get up for both teams when either or both teams have not been elite in a long time.
Now, both teams are going to be considered favorites to play in the Super Bowl at Metlife Stadium in February.
Count me as one that is happy for the Chiefs’ success. I am not a Broncos fan or Chiefs fans, so I can be forgiven. The Chiefs provide me writing material, and that’s why this game is going to be a good one since both teams will provide something to write about.
Plus, games are more meaningful when rivals are doing well. It means the stakes are high. Pride goes up a notch. The conversation at water coolers and bars become meaningful when games like this take place.
Rivalries are why we love sports in the first place. It gets everyone’s attention.
As great as the Chiefs are, it would be nice if the Raiders start winning again. That way these matchups will become meaningful again after watching the Broncos beat up an inept team in recent years.
The Chiefs and the Broncos will showcase themselves on Sunday Night Football on NBC. The nation will find out about both teams, and playoff teams will start scouting on both teams in preparing for the playoffs. That’s another reason why it’s great to see both teams playing at their best.
It should be a close game. One would expect that when both teams are playing at an excellent level.
Here’s hoping both teams continue to play well the next few years. Growing up as a kid, it was fun watching Broncos and Chiefs play for the divisional title in the 90s. Those were great games, and there was no love lost both teams.
It’s nothing personal. It’s business by both teams. That’s what makes this rivalry unique.
It’s great to have it back again with both teams playing for something.
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter
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Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
