For the first time in a decade, the Denver Broncos sit atop the AFC playoff race with an 11-2 record heading into the holidays. They are the only undefeated team at home this season and have won 10 games in a row.
However, some free agents consider them to be the underdogs ahead of their duel against the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) on Sunday.
This is the highlight game of NFL Week 15. A matchup pitting Micah Parsons against Nik Bonitto and Jordan Love against Bo Nix featuring teams with impenetrable defenses and opportunistic offenses that could very well be a taste of the Super Bowl.
The oddsmakers, however, added their voices to those of many NFL fans who view the Broncos’ longest winning streak since Peyton Manning’s departure with skepticism.
“I love it. Honestly, it motivates me,” Bonitto said. I like it when people doubt us. They can keep their opinion. We will go out into the field and prove what we have to prove. »
As they have been doing since their last-second loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Since then, the Broncos have set an NFL record with nine straight comebacks, a streak that ended last week with a comfortable victory in Las Vegas.
The Broncos have become accustomed to all the skeptics who view their close winning streak with more doubt than admiration and who continually suggest that their appetite for risk does not constitute a sustainable winning recipe.
“Personally, I don’t care at all,” said kick returner Marvin Mims Jr. But I mean, some players feel insulted by that. »
Nix is not part of that group that feels offended by detractors or those who consider them the underdogs for this home game.
“My mom thinks we’re going to win,” the second-year quarterback said with a laugh. That’s all that matters. »
According to Elias Sports Bureau, this will be the second year in a row – and the fourth time in history – that the Packers will face a team that has won at least 10 games in a row in a single season. Last season, they lost 34-31 to the Detroit Lions, who won their 11th straight.
The Packers won their first two games in this situation. They defeated the Detroit team 3-0 on November 25, 1934, then the Seattle Seahawks 23-17 on January 1, 2006.
This trip to Denver comes between two games against the Chicago Bears. The Packers ended Illinois’ five-game winning streak with a 28-21 victory at Lambeau Field last Sunday. The Packers will face the Bears again on December 20 in Chicago.
“What a wonderful challenge! Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. But I also think it represents an excellent opportunity. »
The Broncos also have a tough end to the season with visits from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chargers, two teams with 9-4 records, interspersed with a Christmas Eve game in Kansas City, where the Broncos haven’t defeated the Chiefs since 2015.
