ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Over the first nine weeks of the season, the Broncos have largely played matchups outside of their division.
Save for a Week 3 meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos haven't turned their attention to their AFC West rivals.
That's about to change.
Beginning in a Week 10 "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Raiders, the Broncos will play five divisional matchups in their final eight games of the season — including back-to-back home games against the Raiders and Chiefs over the next two weeks.
"We have to win them," quarterback Bo Nix said Tuesday when asked about playing in AFC West matchups. "These are the ones that have the most weight to them. These are the ones that you have to go in there and win to set yourself up for the playoffs. As a team, these are the most important for us."
The Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders last season as they swept their division foe, and they'll look to continue the streak on Thursday.
"That's everything," tight end Evan Engram said of winning in the AFC West. "That's everything — especially in this division. You win the division, that's [reaching] one of the biggest goals before the season. These game obviously have a lot more meaning and [are] ones that we've got to get."
According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, the Broncos currently hold a 46 percent chance — the highest of any team in the division — of capturing their first AFC West title since 2015. The Broncos, though, will need to add wins in the division to reach a goal that they outlined as early as January.
One of Denver's two losses came via a three-point defeat to the Chargers, and the Broncos will look to even their division slate against the Raiders. The last time Denver won the AFC West, the team posted a 4-2 record in the division. It's entirely possible the Broncos may need to replicate that performance to get back to the top of the division.
And as they try to earn division wins over the second half of the season, the Broncos begin with this week's prime-time matchup with the Raiders.
"Obviously, [for] this organization, city and fans — [we] have been playing these teams for a long time," Nix said. "A lot of rivalries. These are the fun ones. It's like playing a conference game in college.
"These are the ones you look forward to. These are why you're a Bronco, to beat teams like this. Just like all the other ones, it's not going to be easy. We're going to have to play really well. It will be a fun 'Thursday Night Football' environment."
PASSING THE DEADLINE
The NFL trade deadline occurred on Tuesday, and the Broncos will proceed forward with their current roster in place.
Head Coach Sean Payton said he and General Manager George Paton "discussed a few things," but he also noted the team's confidence in the roster — particularly at the wide receiver position.
"We've invested in and like this group and where we are going," Payton said.
Engram echoed the confidence in "what we've got and who we are," and Nix noted the importance of consistency as Denver looks to build on a 7-2 start.
"We feel like we have all the pieces," Nix said. "Sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. We have something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win."
