So long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are together in Kansas City, the road to the division title runs though Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos, who have lost nine straight to K.C., are keenly aware of this.
For that reason, Kansas City vs. Denver games have taken on heightened importance over the last several years as the Chiefs have claimed four straight AFC West titles. Correspondingly, the Broncos’ rivalry with the Raiders, who have had just one winning season in their last eight, has grown a bit stale.
But the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas — coupled with a new-look Raiders defense and general fan excitement in the third season of Jon Gruden’s second tenure with the team — is sure to inject fresh juice into the rivalry with the Broncos.