The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers entered the playoffs with a sense of optimism, buoyed by competitive performances against the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions. However, their disappointing defeats in the wild-card round have revealed that they may not be as close to dethroning the Chiefs as they initially believed.
The Broncos (10-8) nearly swept the Chiefs (15-2) this season, suffering a narrow 16-14 loss in Week 10 due to a blocked field goal at the last moment. They later secured a decisive 38-0 victory against Kansas City’s backups in Week 18, ending an eight-year playoff drought. If not for that missed opportunity, head coach Sean Payton would have boasted a 3-1 record against Kansas City. Similarly, the Chargers (11-7) put up a fight, losing to the Chiefs by just two and seven points, but ultimately fell flat with a 32-12 loss to Houston in their playoff game.
As the Chiefs prepare for their next playoff matchup, they remain formidable, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes boasting a 15-3 postseason record and a streak of seven consecutive playoff victories. Meanwhile, the Chargers and Broncos must reflect on their early exits and the lessons learned as they look ahead to the next season. Despite the AFC West sending three teams to the postseason for the first time since 2013, both teams recognize the need to improve to challenge the Chiefs, who have dominated the division since the retirement of Peyton Manning in 2016.
In the aftermath of their playoff performances, Broncos players expressed mixed sentiments about their proximity to the Chiefs. Left tackle Garett Bolles noted that their close games indicate potential for growth, while right guard Quinn Meinerz pushed back against the assumption that the Chiefs are untouchable. As both teams begin to strategize for the future, they face the daunting task of overcoming a Chiefs team that continues to excel, potentially adding another Lombardi Trophy to their collection.
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