KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fans continue to go hoarse screaming for the Broncos.
But they are yelling out of anger as much as joy. Not since Will Byers disappeared from Hawkins, Ind., in the 1980s have we witnessed such “Stranger Things.” The Broncos boast a 13-3 record, but Broncos Country cannot decide whether to embrace or endure them.
Thursday night, coach Sean Payton reinforced how Denver is different, snapping a nine-game losing streak at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos separated themselves from their past, from old heartbreak. So how did winning for only the fourth time in 24 December games in Kansas City make hearts ache?
It is the optics. A team with this record should be pretty. And instead the Broncos spray graffiti, vapors of paint speckling the air and tags left everywhere.
After the latest ugly victory, one that has the Broncos positioned to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win against the Chargers, it was time to get insight from the last Denver team to achieve this goal.
Remember the 2015 Broncos? How could you forget? They won the franchise’s third Super Bowl, and its last playoff game.
As the Broncos aim to return to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60, coming full circle, players from a decade ago have a simple message: Relax. Feel good. Enjoy.
The 2025 Broncos win in ways that are difficult to explain, but the results cannot be dismissed, especially after the years spent wandering in the darkness from 2016 to 2023.
Even after Denver let the JV Chiefs linger on Christmas, suggesting the Broncos’ resume does not match their statistics, the 2015 Broncos responded with belief when posed with this question: Do you have more hope of a strong finish or anxiety because every game is close?
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 11: C.J. Anderson (22) of the Denver Broncos runs for a first down against LaRon Landry (30) of the Indianapolis Colts. The Denver Broncos played the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on January 11, 2015. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
“I am not concerned at all,” former running back C.J. Anderson said. “They are frustrating and fun to watch. Go back and look at Kansas City last year and all the games they had like this. The NFL always has close ones. I bet the Denver media was writing the same thing about us. But we kept winning.”
As someone who covered the team 10 years ago, it is true. There were doubts about an offense that went 17 series without a touchdown at one point under coach Gary Kubiak, about why the Broncos struggled to beat the Browns, Bengals and Bears.
In this way, the teams mirror each other since the Broncos have slithered away with victories against the hapless Jets, Giants, Raiders and depleted Chiefs.
Former star defensive end Malik Jackson sees a similar ending.
“It doesn’t matter how many points you win by,” Jackson said. “I think they are building the grit of a team that finds a way to win. So it’s a Super Bowl run for me.”
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 29: Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) and Denver Broncos guard Evan Mathis (69) celebrate with Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) after their win in overtime over the New England Patriots 30-24 November 29, 2015 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
And yet, the Broncos sure give off 2022 Minnesota Vikings vibes, don’t they? That team went 13-4 and got upset in the first round of the playoffs. Would anyone be surprised if that happened to Denver?
The alums, who, thank God, are not jealous and protective of their legacy like so many former champions, do not see it.
“They are giving me more hope, especially after last week’s loss and this week’s win. The loss to the Jaguars was actually relieving to me because I wanted us to get the kinks out before the playoffs,” said former Broncos defensive back and special teams stalwart Omar Bolden. “I see us as the favorites to come out of the AFC — 100 %!”
So does former All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris Jr. — with a caveat. He remains connected to the sport through coaching kids and doing a weekly podcast. He likes what he sees, but needs to see more this weekend.
“Oh yeah, they got a chance to (reach the Super Bowl) if we get homefield,” Harris said.
This does not mean these Broncos view the current team as flawless. Not even close. The 2015 group had better skill plays on offense — Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Anderson — and two, to possibly three Hall of Famers on the other side of the ball (DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller, Aqib Talib). The defense produced 27 takeaways and returned four interceptions and one fumble for a touchdown in the regular season. The current Broncos rank 28th in takeaways with 12, and have zero defensive touchdowns.
The reality is that this year’s team is a lot younger when comparing the receiving corps, the secondary and Bo Nix to Peyton Manning.
“That 2015 season will always be special. And this team they have now will be special, too,” Miller said. “Nik Bonitto with his get off (on the snap). Jonathon Cooper bullies guys with his strength. And Zach Allen makes everything go. He is like Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson mixed together. And that offensive line is better than the line we had in 2015. We had some guys I loved, but come on? We were glued together.”
Ryan Harris, part of that line, remains bullish on the current Broncos. But he also knows history favors the team that stays grounded, as in trusting its running attack.
“I have no concerns about the players. They have fought in every game,” Harris said. “The concern grows when you have 12-to-17 rushing attempts. The KC game had a bit more called (32). That number has to stay between 22-to-30, especially with this great offensive line.”
Those Broncos speak from accomplishment. This current team hasn’t technically done anything yet, unless you consider winning 11 one-score games and demonstrating a clutch gene an achievement.
“We were not blowing out anyone either. There were a lot of close ones,” Anderson said. “I know everyone is making a big deal about how they are winning. But we were the same, and we found a way. They can, too.”
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