Denver Broncos: Fanzone interview with Leora Ruzin

In the next edition of the Denver Broncos Fanzone, I chat with Leora Ruzin and get her takes on the state of the Broncos at the halfway point of the season.

A tough test awaits the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The team takes off to Arrowhead for their final matchup of 2018 against the Kansas City Chiefs. It will be the second time in the month of October that these two teams have faced off.

Back on the first day of October, the Broncos had Kansas City’s first loss in sight. But they were unable to hold on in the final ten minutes of the game. They certainly made things interesting towards the end. Now Denver faces a big-time contest that can impact the season.

And it will not be easy. The Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the league. I honestly thought it would be a struggle, but they are making it work. I feel that the only way that Denver wins this game is if they exploit their defense and limit the points.

A big game in the AFC West that can decide a lot for Denver. Hopefully, it results in a win for Broncos Country.

In our next edition of the Broncos Fanzone, I have brought back an old friend. I talked to Leora Ruzin a few times over the years. I’ve even had the privilege of reading some of her writings on the team and she knows her stuff. She writes over at Our Turf FB.

Let’s see what Leora has to say about the Broncos and the game on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos got a huge win on Thursday. What stood out to you the most in that win?

The defense was relentless, up until the very end of the game. It was like we went back in time to the 2015 season, and it sure was a joy to watch. It is clear that Von Miller has had about enough of the mediocre play and made the decision to just “kick [explicit]”. Why it took nearly three seasons for him to get to this point is beyond me. 

The defense showed some signs of their Super Bowl 50 selves. Despite the opponent, was this game a confidence booster for the defense?

I definitely think that the commanding victory will light a fire under the defense, but I am just not sure if it will be enough to get them back on the right track. This team is just too undisciplined and is lacking consistent leadership.

Rumors are swirling around that there are a few players that could be on the move as the trade deadline nears. What are your thoughts, and do you see anyone getting traded?

Traded, or cut? Yikes! Unfortunately, I feel that the Broncos trading power continues to diminish as their off-field drama takes over the discussion. While I think it is certainly possible that WR Demaryius Thomas or CB Chris Harris Jr. could get traded before the trade deadline, I don’t think the Broncos will get as much in return as they are expecting. I, for one, do not feel that Thomas is worth a first round pick, but it’s all a matter of what teams would be willing to pay, coupled with what Elway is willing to give up. The Broncos may need a backup QB, though. Perhaps they can trade Thomas for a quarterback who has a little more “swag”? 

The Denver Broncos travel to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs. What do you believe they need to do to get a big win in a difficult place to play?

The Chiefs are unstoppable right now. QB Patrick Mahomes is a beast, and no team has yet figured out the secret ingredient to stopping his arial attack. If there is anyone who can, though, it’s Von Miller. He is the only one who has the speed to get to Mahomes before he releases the ball. Even then, though, I think it is a lost cause. Between WR Tyreek Hill and TE Travis Kelce, combined with the agility and mobility of Mahomes, it will be virtually impossible to contain the offense. The best option for the defense is to get to Mahomes as quick as possible, contain Mahomes in the pocket, and make sure the TE is covered. 

What would a win or a loss mean for this team, in your honest opinion? Can this team make some noise regardless of the result?

If the Broncos don’t win, that is the end of the season. While the Chiefs have been putting up monster numbers week after week, the LA Chargers are quietly holding a stronghold on the #2 spot in the division. At 5-2, the Chargers are playing balanced football, and if the Broncos do not find a way to keep up, any chance for even a Wild Card spot will go out the window. 

Thank You Leora for taking the time out to chat with me. It will be a tough road, so we shall see what happens. Go Broncos.