The Denver Broncos finally did it. The team’s ignominious eight-year playoff drought ended thanks to the Broncos’ 38-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The last time the Broncos made it to the postseason was when then-GM John Elway stood at the podium holding the Lombardi Trophy and declared, “This is Pat’s!” That iconic moment happened nearly a decade ago.
For lifelong Broncos like left tackle Garrett Bolles and wide receiver Courtland Sutton, finally getting the playoff monkey off their backs is almost indescribable.
Sutton, who totaled five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, said after the game: “It’s kind of hard to put into words how I feel. It’s just a lot of hard work and dedication behind the scenes.” spoke. , off-season, and during the season. There is a lot of work to do this season. Unfortunately, there have been many times that this will probably be the last time I speak to you. It’s a really great experience to be in a situation where we have the opportunity to extend the season by one week at a time. I’m very happy. “
Sutton revealed how he and Bolles had “little moments” together during the match.
“I was able to spend some time on the sideline at ‘GB’ when the game was getting ready to end,” Sutton said. “You want to talk about a player who has been through a lot, a player who has battled through injuries, a player who has fought through as much as I have, and then you add another year on top of that…to see that joy and joy. To see the light in his eyes, to know that we have a chance, that’s all you need to know – to have a chance.”
Bolles was happy to finally break a playoff drought with his long-suffering teammates.
“We just wanted to get it done,” Bolles said after the game. “Me and Cortland, we’ve been here a long time and when we knew that the team wanted to rally behind us and get (a playoff spot) for us, it was It was a great moment. I’m just grateful to all my teammates. ”
Bolles was a first-round pick in 2017. Sutton was a second-round pick in 2018. Both have had their moments, earning individual honors such as Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations, but both have struggled in relative obscurity on teams that have endured the NFL’s downturn.
But all that suffering appears to have built some character, as both Bolles and Sutton were integral to the Broncos winning 10 games and making the playoffs this season. Bolles is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, and although he was not selected to the Pro Bowl, he was selected as an alternate.
Sutton surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving milestone for the second time in his career and also earned Pro Bowl alternate recognition. If there’s anyone who bled orange and blue to make this playoff run, it’s those two guys from all those years ago.
“You look at the walls and you see all the success this organization has had,” Sutton said. “For the past nine years we haven’t had a last deal on the field. To be able to be in this spot where we can carry on this tradition this season and do something special to move up the standings. It’s a humbling experience standing on a wall of past champions. ”
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As team captain, the Broncos will continue to look to Sutton as a leader on and off the field. With record-setting rookie quarterback Bo Nix going into a “heater,” as head coach Sean Payton said after the game, anything could happen with this Broncos team heading to upstate New York next week. be.
The Broncos would not be in this position without Nix’s tremendous first-year contributions and leadership. But the Broncos can’t rest on their laurels of just making the playoffs.
“We have a relentless quarterback at No. 10. He just puts the ball in the hands of the playmakers,” Bolles said of the Knicks.
Sutton showed glimpses of Knicks potential during the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp in June.
“I was able to meet Bo during minicamp. I thought, ‘Hey, he can throw that ball a little bit more,'” Sutton said. “To be able to get into training camp and see his determination to want to grow and learn… to see a young guy who has so much drive and passion for the game and that. makes everyone around you better. I may have said it before, but your quarterback has to be a guy who has that kind of energy, has that juice, and comes to work every day with a smile on his face and a determination to get better. It doesn’t… Your quarterback is that guy, it makes everyone else in the whole building better. ”
For all those who expected the Broncos to land a top-five draft pick this year, including oddsmakers who set the team’s win over/under at 5.5, Sutton could see the team get the last laugh. are enjoying it. What is the biggest miscalculation of doubters?
I’m sleeping on top of Bonix.
“It’s so funny to hear people say, ‘The Broncos are going to win four games, they’re going to win three games, they’re going to win two games, this and that…get a new quarterback, blah blah blah,'” Sutton said. . . “I’m like, ‘Oh, they had no idea what we had in this locker room, what we had in this locker room and what kind of player Bo was.’
I know Broncos Country. The Knicks put on a historic performance worthy of consideration for Offensive Rookie of the Year. But exceeding expectations wasn’t enough for the Knicks to break their playoff drought.
Payton has long preached that the offensive line is the cornerstone of a championship-caliber roster. And there’s no question that Denver’s big Uglies played hard and well all season, protecting the Knicks and blocking ball carriers.
“This whole (offensive) line that I’m on, from (G) Ben (Powers) to (C) Luke (Wattenberg) to (G) Quinn (Meinertz) to (T) Mike (McGlinchey); We are truly grateful to all of the above,” Bolles said.
Bolles also doesn’t want to hear from skeptics and critics of the Broncos’ roster. His farewell message:
“Don’t doubt me, this team is loaded,” Bolles said.
So is the heart of Broncos Country.
Next up is the Buffalo Bills.
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