A Week 8 loss would sting, sure. It would hand the Kansas City Chiefs their first season-sweep of the Denver Broncos since the 2022 season, and it would push Denver to 5-3 with Kansas City sitting at 6-1. But that still wouldn’t close the door on the Broncos’ season, or on the AFC West race.
That’s the part worth keeping in mind. Denver was 2-2 after four games, then dropped its Week 4 meeting with the San Francisco 49ers before bouncing back with wins over Los Angeles, Seattle, and Arizona. So even if the Broncos stumble again in Week 8, the bigger picture doesn’t suddenly collapse.
The division would still be there to chase. The Broncos would remain second in the AFC West, and the gap would be only one win in the standings, even if the loss column would show a two-game difference. That’s not ideal, but it’s hardly a dead end.
The schedule also gives Denver a real opening. After Week 8, the Broncos have nine games left, and six of them come against teams with losing records.
The stretch starts with Week 9 at Carolina, followed by a bye in Week 10. Then comes Las Vegas at home in Week 11, Pittsburgh on the road in Week 12, Miami in Week 13, the Jets in Week 14, Las Vegas again in Week 15, Buffalo in Week 16, New England in Week 17, and Los Angeles in Week 18.
That’s a path that can fuel a run. From Week 9 on, Denver’s remaining opponents have a combined record of 26-34.
Kansas City’s back half looks a lot rougher. The Chiefs would still have the Jets in Week 9, then Atlanta in Week 10, Arizona in Week 11, Buffalo in Week 12, the Rams in Week 13, Cincinnati in Week 14, New England in Week 15, San Francisco in Week 16, the Chargers in Week 17, and Las Vegas in Week 18. Their remaining opponents have a combined record of 32-35.
If you take out the Chargers, who are 0-6 and appear on both schedules, the difference gets even clearer: Kansas City’s remaining opponents would be 32-29, while Denver’s would be 26-28.
The Chiefs have also already taken their bye, so they won’t get that extra reset later on. Denver’s path is the friendlier one, and Kansas City still has some heavy lifting ahead.
None of that means the Broncos would suddenly become the favorite if they lose in Week 8. The odds would still lean against them in the chase for a second straight AFC West title.
But the margin for error would not be gone. Not with this schedule.
Not with this division.
And Denver has already shown it can respond. After the Week 4 loss to San Francisco, the Broncos won three straight. Last year’s 11-game winning streak is proof enough that this team can catch fire for a long stretch.
So yes, a Week 8 loss would change the mood. It would make the climb steeper.
But it would not end the story. With nine winnable games still on the board, the Broncos would still have the season in front of them.
In Other News...
Broncos Have One Overlooked Edge That Could Decide Chiefs Game
Special teams rarely get the headline billing in a Broncos-Chiefs matchup, but they can swing a game that figures to be tight in the margins. Denver enters with Wil Lutz giving it steady production on field goals, and the Broncos also appear to have an edge in the kicking and field-position battle thanks to Jeremy Crawshaw and Marvin Mims Jr., two pieces that can quietly change how the game is played.
Kansas City still has leg power with Matt Araiza, but the Broncos overall profile on special teams looks cleaner heading into the showdown. If Denver can keep winning the hidden-yardage fight, it could put extra pressure on an offense that may not get many easy possessions, and it could turn one of the leagues most familiar rivalry games into a field-position contest. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Need Jaylen Waddle In Massive Chiefs Showdown
Jaylen Waddles availability has become one of the biggest subplots heading into Denvers Week 8 trip to Kansas City. The Broncos wide receiver first dealt with a chest injury in Week 6, then aggravated it in a later game, leaving him questionable for a matchup that already carries plenty of weight. Denver has every reason to want him on the field, especially with Waddle having been targeted 45 times this season and already serving as a central part of the passing game.
The timing matters even more because the Chiefs are not at full strength on defense, with several key players either ruled out or on injured reserve. If Waddle can go, he should be involved early and often as Denver tries to take advantage of the matchup and keep pace in a game that could shape the AFC West race. For now, though, the Broncos are waiting to see whether their top receiver can answer the bell. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Have A Real Chance To Make Week 8 A Statement Vs Chiefs
The Broncos have spent enough time around this matchup to know it carries a little extra weight, especially at home, where Denver has been able to make things uncomfortable for Kansas City during the Sean Payton era. With Week 8 approaching, the conversation is less about chasing a perfect formula and more about whether the Broncos can lean into the parts of their roster that have traveled well against a division rival that has not looked quite as airtight as usual.
Jonah Coleman has given Denver another layer to work with in the offense, and his presence has helped shape the kind of balance the Broncos will need if they want to turn this into more than just a competitive showing. The Chiefs still bring the usual challenge, but the gap feels narrower than it has in some past meetings, which is why this game has the feel of a real opportunity for Denver to make a statement without fully revealing yet how far that edge can go. [Read more 🡒]