It might sound outrageous, but hear me out. The Denver Broncos are equipped enough to finally beat the Kansas City Chiefs, and they might even be able to sweep them this year. As bad as the Broncos have been since last beating the Chiefs back in 2015, they have played them very competitively in the past.
In fact, the 2022 Denver Broncos were easily the worst team we've seen in the post-Manning era, and maybe one of the worst teams in their history, but were still able to hang with the Chiefs in both games. You'd have to think that the team is dangerously close to finally beating them. And if they can, the Broncos will be in a great position within the divisional race.
Not only can the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs once in 2023, but they can sweep the season series. Here's why.
3 reasons why the Denver Broncos can sweep the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023
1. Offense might be significantly improved
Beginning with the first time the Broncos lost to the Chiefs during their current losing streak versus the team, Kansas City has averaged 28.9 points per game. Denver has scored at least 20 points in seven of those 15 matchups as well. During Sean Payton's career as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, his offenses have averaged at least 28.9 points per game in six different seasons and even averaged 21.4 points per game in the 2021 season where players like Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian got significant snaps at quarterback.
With as close as Denver has come to beating the Chiefs, it's almost always been the offense that has been their downfall, but scoring 30 points in a Sean Payton offense is something that has been done routinely. Well, the Broncos' defense is typically a solid unit, so if the offense is significantly improved, then that in itself might be enough to knock off the Chiefs twice in 2023.
2. Chiefs could end up with a void along their defensive line
One of the best defensive linemen of this generation is Chris Jones, who has made life very tough for the Denver Broncos. Well, while unlikely, Jones could potentially hold out into the regular season as he seeks a new contract from the team. He's in the last year of his current deal which is paying him $20 million per season, but he is seeking a deal that pays him $30 million per year.
At this point, there is no indication that the two sides are even remotely close on a new deal. Could Chris Jones hold out into the regular season? I don't think it's impossible. If that is the case, the Broncos would have much less to deal with along their offensive line, and winning the line of scrimmage is precisely how games in the NFL are won and lost week to week.
3. Maybe the Chiefs are ready to endure a Super Bowl hangover?
Listen, I know this might be a bit of a stretch, but it's not impossible. There are so many examples of teams across the NFL who fell on their face in the following season after winning the Super Bowl. Well, after their first Super Bowl title under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in 2019, the team did make it back the following year.
They have also hosted the AFC Championship Game in five straight seasons. They are 3-2 in those games. However, I do think there is a distinct possibility that the Chiefs are not back in the AFCCG in 2023. Them getting bounced out in the divisional round would be a Super Bowl hangover based on their standards, honestly.
The Jacksonville Jaguars played the Chiefs well in last year's divisional round, and I'd expect them to take a leap. Perhaps the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals are ready to dethrone the Chiefs? Maybe the Baltimore Ravens or Miami Dolphins are lurking in the shadows? You never know. With as competitive as the AFC looks to be in 2023, the Chiefs not having as good of a season as we'd expect is a possibility.