Four days after the Denver Broncos put an end to their eight-game losing streak, they’ll have a chance to put an end to their other eight-game losing streak.
When the Broncos, decked head-to-toe in orange, take the field in Indianapolis on Thursday night, it will have been 375 days since the last time they’ve won on the road. Dating back to the 2016 season, the Broncos have lost eight straight road games.
While a stat like that can get lost in a season like the one the Broncos are playing out, it’s not lost on Von Miller.
“Yes, I know,” Miller said on Tuesday. “Hopefully we can just keep the emotions from Sunday flowing. If we can get two wins in five days, that would be great; really get a streak going.”
While a large portion of ‘Broncos Country’ have been vocal about the Broncos playing for a draft pick instead of playing to win, a four-game win streak might actually be good for the Broncos as they head into 2018. Their poor performance on the road towards the end of last season certainly rolled into the 2017 season.
“I think we haven’t played with a lead on the road I felt like in forever.,” quarterback Trevor Siemian said. “If we can get off to a good start, I think that helps and obviously the turnover battle is huge in those games. It would be nice to play with a lead, and like I said, let our defense go and we keep staying on the field and win time of possession—all of those things.”
While the Broncos will rely heavily on the momentum they’ve gained from the 23-0 smackdown they put on the New York Jets on Sunday, the short week could be what extends their road losing streak to nine consecutive games at the same time.
Regardless of the fact that they have to turn around and play a game on just a few days rest, the Broncos know that they still have to come out and play hard to put an end to this streak.
“It’s just part of the game. Coach ‘V.J.’ (head coach Vance Joseph) has done a great job of keeping us fresh and keeping the game mental this week,” Miller said. “I think that’s what every smart head coach should do if you’re playing on Thursday. You want to get your team fresh and that’s exactly what we’re already doing. My seventh year, in my seventh Thursday night game — I’m looking forward to it.”
“My body feels alright,” wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. “I’m just tired and a little banged up from getting hit a couple times. It’s just something you have to deal with. It’s about getting rest and the mental reps and work. Hopefully, you get as much recovery as you can so you’ll be ready for Thursday night. Both sides are going to be sore so it’s no disadvantage on either side.”
The Broncos are trying to finish the season strong, so they might as well put an end to two eight-game skids in the same week if the opportunity presents itself.
