Brief look at the series history between Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos

The rivalry between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the most storied and intense rivalries in the National Football League. This AFC West matchup dates back to the early days of the AFL-NFL merger in the 1970s and has since become a marquee event for football fans.

The rivalry began to take shape in the late 1960s when the Chiefs, led by Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram and quarterback Len Dawson, were one of the dominant teams in the AFL. Meanwhile, the Broncos were struggling to find their footing. The animosity grew as the Broncos gradually improved in the early 1970s, and the battles between the two teams intensified.

The Chiefs and the Broncos have watched the momentum ebb and flow in the series between the two teams.

In 1977, the rivalry reached its zenith as the Broncos, led by quarterback Craig Morton and the infamous "Orange Crush" defense, defeated the Chiefs on their way to their first Super Bowl appearance. This victory solidified the rivalry and created lasting animosity between the fan bases.

Over the decades, both teams have had their share of success, with legendary players like John Elway for the Broncos and Joe Montana for the Chiefs leaving their marks on the rivalry. The games are characterized by hard-fought battles, intense atmospheres, and passionate fans on both sides.

In recent years, however, the intensity has waned as the Chiefs have taken dominance to a new level in the series. While it's not uncommon for one team to get the best of another for a span of time—even several years—nothing matches the current win streak by the Chiefs over the Broncos. With their win over Denver in Week 6, the Chiefs have run the current total to 16 games, a streak dating back to 2015. The Broncos can only hope that Week 8 provides some unexpected relief from the constant losing.

The Broncos-Chiefs games are a testament to the deep-seated traditions and the competitive spirit that make NFL rivalries so special. For now, however, Denver is only hoping to begin a momentum shift back in its direction.