Entering the Week, there was considerable pressure on the Broncos to keep pace in the AFC West. Denver was in a precarious spot at 2-2, especially with the Chargers already owning at least half of the season series and the Chiefs coming off a major win over the Ravens. A Broncos loss with two expected wins by their AFC West competition could have put their season on the ropes early.
Even as Denver's deficit in Philadelphia sat at 14 points early in the fourth quarter, it was beginning to seem as though a return to the playoffs would be in question for the Broncos.