Horse Tracks: Challenging the Broncos to win a game that matters

The Denver Broncos can beat bad teams. Things aren’t going to get better around here until they start beating good teams.

With the Denver Broncos getting their second win of the season just a week shy of Halloween, they have proven themselves to be at least a little better than the lowly Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. While it’s always good to win, let’s be honest here, folks: The Bears and Packers are teams this squad should have beat and it never should have been close. Denver’s two wins were not the confidence-inspiring performances that builds momentum going further into the season.

…and so that hollow feeling remains.

On Sunday, the Broncos get another swing at the Kansas City Chiefs. Do the Broncos want credit for a hard fought narrow victory? Beat the Chiefs. You want sports writers and bloggers to give you a little credit for meager accomplishments? Beat the Chiefs. You want to not be a laughing-stock in the NFL? Beat the Chiefs. You want fans to stop the tank talk and mock drafts in October?

Beat the Chiefs.

The Broncos have proven that they can barely beat the bad teams (maybe). If they want to start garnering the basic respect of their peers around the National Football League, they need show up and send a message that they’re better than their 2-5 record suggests.

Nobody celebrates blowing draft position with meaningless wins against terrible teams. If the Broncos are indeed better than their record, they have to win a meaningful game. Right now, there is no more meaningful game on the Broncos schedule this year than the game this weekend against Kansas City.

You want to make the fanbase feel good again? Feel alive with the power of Broncos football?

Beat the Chiefs.

HEADLINES

Mile High Morning: S P.J. Locke’s first career interception secures Broncos’ 19-17 victory
Locke’s game-sealing play was even sweeter for him as the culmination of an adversity-filled journey.

Sean Payton finding it hard to enjoy what little he has to celebrate in first year as Broncos coach | AP News
Sean Payton acknowledges he’s always so busy focusing on what went wrong that he finds it hard to be happy even after a victory like the Denver Broncos’ 19-17 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Broncos Notebook: HC Sean Payton, Broncos still searching for improvement after win over Packers
The Broncos’ 19-17 win over the Packers gave Denver needed momentum, but it also provided room for growth.

Broncos’ Kareem Jackson suspended four games without pay for violations of unnecessary roughness rules – CBSSports.com
Jackson has been ejected twice this season

NFL suspends Broncos’ Kareem Jackson 4 games for illegal hits – ESPN
The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson for four games for repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules.

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson suspended four games for multiple violations of unnecessary roughness
The NFL has suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games without pay for violations of unnecessary roughness rules, the league announced on Monday.

The First Read: NFL’s 10 most trustworthy teams; new MVP rankings; must-watch game in Week 8
In this edition of The First Read, Jeffri Chadiha ranks the 10 most trustworthy teams in the NFL right now. Plus, risers/sliders from Week 7, updated MVP rankings and the must-see showdown of Week 8.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell: Jordan Addison’s TD catch a ‘game-changing play’ in win over 49ers
The Minnesota Vikings moved to 3-4 on the season with their 22-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, a victory that was keyed by the breakout play of their rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison.

2024 NFL Draft order: Packers in line for highest pick in 18 years
Which pick are the Packers holding after dropping their third straight game? Chad Reuter provides a look at the updated 2024 NFL Draft order for Round 1 along with needs for every team.

2023 NFL season, Week 7: What We Learned from Vikings’ win over 49ers on Monday night
Thanks to the histrionics of Kirk Cousins and Jordan Addison, the Vikings jumped out to an early lead and hung on to upset the San Francisco 49ers.

Source – NFL asks why Bijan Robinson’s health wasn’t reported by Falcons – ESPN
The NFL is asking compliance questions to the Falcons about when they knew Bijan Robinson wasn’t well and why it wasn’t reported, a source told ESPN.

Struggling San Francisco 49ers drop second straight game – ESPN
Saying “the NFL will humble you every step of the way,” following San Francisco’s second straight loss, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa summed up the thoughts of the locker room Monday, after a Super Bowl contender dropped a 22-17 decision to the Vikings.

Eagles acquiring safety Kevin Byard via trade with Titans
The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring safety Kevin Byard via trade with the Tennessee Titans, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday.

Saints WR Chris Olave arrested for reckless operation of motor vehicle
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was arrested Monday in Kenner, Louisiana, for reckless operation of a motor vehicle, the Kenner Police Department confirmed to NFL Media.

Uchenna Nwosu likely to undergo season-ending surgery – NBC Sports
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu is expected to need season-ending pectoral surgery, coach Pete Carroll said Monday.

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey passes two Hall of Famers in NFL record books with touchdown vs. Vikings – CBSSports.com
McCaffrey now has the second-most games in a row with a TD in league history, including playoffs

Cam Akers says Kirk Cousins is an ‘effin’ dog’ after Vikings upset 49ers in ‘statement’ win for Minnesota – CBSSports.com
The vibes are shifting in Minnesota

Matt LaFleur – Packers’ confidence in Jordan Love ‘not wavering’ – ESPN
Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the Packers’ confidence in Jordan Love “is not wavering one bit” despite the quarterback’s recent struggles.

Source – Browns RB Jerome Ford (ankle) to miss 1-2 weeks – ESPN
The Browns are expected to be without running back Jermoe Ford for one to two weeks with an ankle injury, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Chiefs WR Justyn Ross arrested in Kansas, faces felony charge – ESPN
Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was arrested Monday in Shawnee, Kansas, and he is facing a felony charge of criminal damage of more than $25,000.