The Denver Broncos aren't losing to Green Bay

 

The question has been asked all week: “Do the Denver Broncos have any chance?”

I’ve been asked that question at least four or five times a day.

I’ve heard it asked all week.

Here’s my response, and it hasn’t changed: There is no way in hell the Broncos are losing this game.

Not with everything surrounding this game. Not with “what’s on the line.” Not with it being played at Mile High. Not with the emotion that surrounds the game, and the week. Not with all the former members of the 1997 Super Bowl team in attendance. Not with the 20 Ring of Famers in attendance. Not with who the night honors.

There’s no way in hell the Broncos lose this game.

The night that honors the best owner in pro sports the last 30 years? The guy who made the Broncos what they are? Ain’t happening.

The only thing that would make Sunday night any better is if Pat Bowlen was in attendance. But that alone is another reason Denver will not lose this game. He’s showing the team yet again that it’s not about him, it’s about the Broncos.

If that doesn’t motivate these guys to play a little harder or give a little more effort, nothing will. The last thing this team wants is to be remembered for is the one that lost on the night the organization honored Pat Bowlen

I get it. The Green Bay Packers are a good team. They have a good defense led by Clay Matthews. They have a balanced offense. They’re coming off the bye. They have Aaron Rodgers. If this game were being played at Lambeau Field, I would give the edge to the Packers.

But that’s not the case.

Don’t forget, Denver is coming off the bye as well. The Broncos are playing at home (for just the third time this season). On Sunday Night Football. Oh, and they are 6-0. They have a great defense and an offense that will get it figured out.

That alone is enough.

But that’s not the case.

So much of football is based on emotion. On giving your team an edge – both mental and physical. Players and coaches constantly look for ways to get it – however they can, within the rules or not.

When you hear and see what this week is about for the Broncos, what it means and how special it is for so many people, you find that edge.

“It’s really special. We’re even playing against the Packers, too. That’s definitely a big thing. It’s awesome to remember Mr. Bowlen up on stage when he said, ‘This one’s for John.’ That’s the other thing, he didn’t say, ‘This is for me,’ he said, ‘This is for John.’ It was great seeing him being able to stand up there and hoist that Lombardi Trophy. That was the pinnacle for us seeing him and for him actually getting to do it. It was an awesome feeling.” Steve Atwater

That was just a start to the emotion and what this weekend means.

“This is great. You see all the legends here (Friday night). It’s good to be back and to see all the guys. It’s fun. I looked forward to this. This is awesome, especially tonight, obviously with Pat Bowlen going into the Ring of Fame and what he’s meant to this franchise, what he’s meant to us as players (and) what he’s contributed to the sport of football. The National Football League — he’s been instrumental in a lot of things that have been here — obviously, the Ring of Fame and an owner that is one of the best owners ever. You look at some of the teams, and I always ask myself the question, when you look at other owners, how would it feel like to play for other teams? But I never had that question when I played here because you had the best owner. He gave you what you wanted. You had a team that was successful. He brought in the players. He gave you all the things that make you a first-class organization. We’ve seen the best. I’ve seen the top, and I never, ever had to think twice about playing somewhere else because I had the best while I was here.” Terrell Davis

Still not convinced?

“He has a common touch. I always tell people that Pat and I, first and foremost, we are friends. I happened to work for him for a number of years. The friendship has lasted much longer. The fact that, as an NFL owner, a player like myself, and I’m not the only one who can claim friendship with Pat Bowlen, makes him rare. He sees himself as one of the guys even though the reality is that he’s not. He’s very special in the way that he’s contributed to this community and, most of us, to our individual lives.” Tom Jackson

Maybe this will finally tell you everything you need to know.

“I love our chances. I love our chances. We’re the Broncos, we don’t lose at home.” Shannon Sharpe

Do the Broncos have any chance?

There’s no way in hell they’re losing this game.