The Lead

Every NFL player dreams of playing in big moments.

And for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Denver's Week 10 matchup with the Chiefs will be one of the biggest of his young career.

"I think this is the epitome of why you want to play in the NFL," Nix said Wednesday. "You want to play against these defenses. You want to play against these legendary coaches. You want to play against these [future Pro Football] Hall of Fame quarterbacks. So, I think it's the best."

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, notorious for its loud fans and hostile environment, will present a challenge for the Broncos as they face their second consecutive AFC opponent on the road. Denver, however, is eager to embrace the environment and competition as the team looks to earn a key sixth win after passing the halfway point of the 2024 season.

"It's going to be a great environment," cornerback Riley Moss said. "We get to play the best in the league, and that's what any competitor wants to do, is go against the best."

The Broncos will have their work cut out for them as they take on the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL and the reigning Super Bowl champions. And while this may serve as additional motivation for some, right tackle Mike McGlinchey said the primary focus is on earning the team's next win.

"We're a pretty successful football team right now, and I don't think we're really focused on playing spoiler," McGlinchey said. "We just want to get a win. We're in a position to do some damage here in this conference, and we're in a position that we haven't been in before in the last few years. We want to take advantage of that. It's not about playing spoiler and breaking the undefeated streak. It's about getting our next win. That's what we're focused on."

This is not the first time, though, that Denver has had an opportunity to end a Kansas City streak. In Week 8 of the 2023 season, the Broncos snapped a 16-game skid and earned a 24-9 victory over the Chief at home. And while the win may provide the team with confidence, it doesn't alter the mindset heading into Sunday's matchup.

"Last year is last year, this year is this year," guard Quinn Meinerz said. "We're both different teams. So, it will be fun to have another matchup this year."

Denver is set to embrace the challenge.

"It's an opportunity to play against the best, and that's why you play in the NFL," McGlinchey said. "[It's] to challenge yourself against the best and the brightest in football — and we get to do it on their turf, which is always a great place to play."