Broncos Hit the Bye Week After Taking the AFC West Lead |
The Broncos are off this week. Their 28-24 win over Kansas City on Nov. 1 lifted them into first in the AFC West, and the Raiders come to town Nov. 22. |
A quiet Sunday on purpose
For the first time in weeks, Broncos fans get a Sunday off. The NFL's official Denver schedule labels Week 10 the "Broncos' Bye Week," and it falls right in this issue's Nov. 11–17 window. There is no kickoff to plan around and no Monday-morning film session at the office coffee maker. Players get a chance to rest before the schedule turns demanding again.
The timing works out well, because Denver went into the break having played its best stretch of the season.
How Denver got to the top of the division
On Sunday, Nov. 1, the Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver trailed 24-13 in the fourth quarter and scored the game's final 15 points, according to NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk. Then the defense held. A goal-line stand in the closing seconds kept the Chiefs out of the end zone and sealed the win.
The team's own Cover 4 recap notes that it was Denver's fourth straight win. It also moved the Broncos into first place in the AFC West for the first time this season. The Denver Gazette reported that the win put Denver at 6-2, a half-game ahead of the 5-2 Chiefs at that point.
The Broncos then traveled to Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 8, the last game before the bye.
What's at stake after the break
When Denver returns, it plays two games in six days, and both carry weight.
Raiders at Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 22. The Broncos return home for a division game, televised on CBS. Any division win counts double in a tight AFC West race, because it adds to Denver's total and keeps a rival from adding to theirs.
Broncos at Steelers, Friday, Nov. 27. This is the day after Thanksgiving, and the game streams on Prime. Going from a Sunday home game to a Friday road game in Pittsburgh leaves Denver a short week of preparation. That makes the rest from this bye more valuable.
It's a sharp turn from a week with no football to two games, including a cross-country trip, in less than a week. How the Broncos come out of the bye will show whether the momentum from the Kansas City comeback holds into the late-season push.
How to follow along from Centennial
Nov. 22 vs. Raiders: on CBS. If you're heading to Empower Field, the trip up I-25 on a game Sunday takes longer than usual, so leave early.
Nov. 27 at Steelers: on Prime. If your household usually watches on broadcast TV, check your streaming setup before Thanksgiving weekend. Nobody wants to troubleshoot logins with a plate of leftovers in hand.
Kickoff times and updates: check the Broncos' official schedule and NFL.com, which list current kickoff times and broadcast details.
Use the free weekend for a hike, some yard cleanup or a run to the grocery store before Thanksgiving. The Broncos will be back on Nov. 22. |
15 Comments
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The comeback against KC was awesome but I still worry about our defense against good offenses.
Anyone been to a Sunday Raiders game at Empower? Any parking tips?
6-2! Didn’t expect that after how last season started. Nice to be surprised for a change.
Everyone rest up. We need to keep that edge for the division run.
Broncos actually look like contenders again. Let's hope they don't lose the spark during the bye.
Using the free Sunday for a garden clean-up here. And saving all my football energy for the Raiders.
I wish the Steelers game was on local channels. Streaming is hit or miss at my house.
Appreciate the tip about traffic on game day. Took me almost an hour last time just to park near Empower.
Best timing for a bye. After that comeback win over the Chiefs, momentum is high but some rest will help.
The schedule after the bye looks rough. Two games in less than a week? Going to be a big test for these guys.
Hope the team comes out ready against the Raiders. They always give us problems and those division games are never easy.
Glad they mentioned streaming for the Steelers game. Almost forgot it wouldn't be on regular TV. Gotta help my dad figure it out.
That KC game was wild. Still pumped from that finish. Fingers crossed we keep rolling after the break.
Finally a Sunday to catch up on chores without stressing over the Broncos. Enjoy the bye, fellas, you earned it!
We couldn't agree more, here’s to a well-earned break for the team and a productive Sunday for the rest of us!