Sunday was an historic day for Peyton Manning in some good ways and some very bad ways. It was very nearly historic for the team as a whole in a way that many fans and Broncos historians might never have imagined possible.
Late in the fourth quarter, Denver was at risk of being shut out for the first time in a year’s worth of games – literally 365 of them, according to one report – and for the first time at home in the franchise’s history.
With 5:27 remaining in the game, Ronnie Hillman punched a one-yard run through a Kansas City defensive line that allowed just 69 yards on the ground all day and the Broncos had put an end to what could have been a scary footnote in team history.
Brock Osweiler hit Andre Caldwell for a touchdown pass on Denver’s next possession to ensure that it wouldn’t be a one-score game.
Just how impressive is Denver’s scoring streak?
Trying to do a bit of research and I don't think the #Broncos have ever been shut out at home. The last time they were shut out was 1992.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 16, 2015
The Broncos are in danger of their first home shutout in franchise history. 12:03 left, down 22-0.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 16, 2015
The Broncos have never ever been blanked at home and have scored in 365 straight games overall. Two streaks on life support. #9sports
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) November 16, 2015
Thankfully, it wasn’t to be…
TOUCHDOWN #BRONCOS!!! https://t.co/PYZ2N2zS4k #KCvsDEN pic.twitter.com/Aehq18sCT2
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) November 16, 2015
TOUCHDOWN — Ronnie Hillman, 1 yard. Broncos will avoid the shutout.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 16, 2015
#Broncos meaningless not shutout at home circa 1992 streak continues
— Adam Kinney (@adamrkinney) November 16, 2015
Meaningless to some, perhaps. But after taking a licking like the Broncos did against the Chiefs, there’s a need for some positives. This was one of the few from the day.