This is what it's all about
Denver Broncos fans are enjoying a fun season. After the waiting and suffering, this is what it's all about.
Getting older means thinking about the world in a different way. That even means how you watch football.
For me, like many Americans, I turned my hobby into a money-making venture. Which, is never really advised.
I grew up loving football—and really, any sport—studied Communications and decided I wanted to be a sportswriter. I jumped into the world in 2011, interviewing a Colorado State basketball player without the team's permission (whoops), and was credentialed later that fall.
As time went on, I wrote for many different publications covering CSU Football and Basketball, and then the Denver Broncos, too.
At one point, while working for a startup media company, I wrote 500 pieces in 8 months. I was literally falling asleep on the keyboard some nights, only to wake up and see I still had work to do.
For a long time during that period, writing on football was no longer pleasurable, it was a chore. Of course, it's a lot less fun to write about terrible teams—which both the Rams and Broncos had during that period—than winning teams.
Then, after more than a decade of chasing the dream, my life changed in many ways.
I got married, bought a house, adopted a dog, and most importantly, became a dad. Things are really put into perspective in terms of what's important when you are raising a child.
One of the things I realized was this sportswriting dream thing, that's all it was. A dream.
When I was demoted from lead editor of a site to the backup blogger, it hurt. Not just that dream, but it hurt my wallet, too. My paycheck was slashed by 70%, one week after I was laid off by my full-time job, all while trying to provide for my 6-month-old baby.
I needed a full-time gig, not to chase this dream. Ironically, never giving up on sportswriting helped me stay sharp as a writer and land two other full-time writing and editing jobs.
And being a dad for the last three years, I've been able to reconnect with my own inner child. To see the world through fresh eyes, to allow myself to be mystified and amazed.
I realized growing up isn't about moving away from your childhood interests, it's about leaning into them. That led me to get back into painting, and share the hobby with my daughter. I fell back in love with watching the Denver Nuggets (at just the right time).
And this year, I've been reminded what it was like to fall in love with sportswriting, as I was energized by the Broncos brilliant play, which led to starting this newsletter in early October.
For Denver Broncos fans, who've struggled through a decade of losing and laughably bad teams, this is what it's all about.
Denver Broncos Lead the AFC West, People are Starting to Notice
Right now, the Broncos (6-2) are on a 5-game win streak and lead the AFC West by a game over the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) and Kansas City Chiefs (5-3).
Yes, the Chiefs are hot right now, but during their blowout of the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman mentioned the Broncos as the team in the division that's not going away. Then, in a throwaway comment, said the Chargers are decent, too.
Chris Berman, who's been doing the Fastest 3 Minutes in Football since I was a football-obsessed child, shouted out the Broncos blowout win over the Cowboys, too.
Rich Kurtzman
Denver's in the top-10 in most power rankings, not that they really mean anything, but people are taking notice. This isn't just Broncos Country hyping the team. They're actually good again.
And this all reminds me of the glory days of the Broncos, from 1996-1998, when the Broncos were the talk of the NFL.
Now, there's a reason to get excited when the Broncos are mentioned by national commentators, instead of a reason to turn your head and cover your ears, like we've had for a decade 'round these parts.
Every game in 2025 brings excitement. This team is developing right in front of our eyes.
This is what being a sports fan is all about.
Broncos are Developing into True Contenders
Halfway through the 2025 season, the Denver Broncos are among a handful of true contenders for the Super Bowl.
Denver's defense is one of the most-feared in football. They lead the NFL in sacks with 36.0 and it ain't close (LAR, 26 is second). They're allowing the 5th-lowest points per game (18.9) and are No. 1 in both 3rd down and red zone scoring percentage.
Meanwhile, the offense has woken up. At least over the last five quarters, they're outscoring opponents 77-24. Denver's cracked the top-10 in scoring (25.9) and Bo Nix has started balling out.
Catching a few innings of the World Series here and there, and seeing the players' little celebrations, it reminded me that watching sports is special because it's not just about being a fan year after year, it's about the development of the team over the course of the year.
The guys who step up and shine. The guys who become fan favorites out of nowhere. The dark horses. The silly celebrations.
Last week it was R.J. Harvey and Troy Franklin breaking out. And Pat Bryant scored his first NFL touchdown, too. Complete with a Mile High Salute.
@broncos First TD for the rook 🫡 #patbryant #denverbroncos #nfl #td #celly
♬ original sound - Denver Broncos
Now, the awards are starting to roll in. Harvey won Rookie of the Week and, quietly, Wil Lutz won Special Teams Player of the Month.
This is what it's all about.
Being a fan of a team means staunch loyalty. You stay loyal to a team through thick and thin. And man, it's been thinner than bad pizza sauce lately in the Mile High City.
And now things are finally getting good again.
People who don't care about the Broncos are talking about them. One guy saw me wearing my throwback Denver D logo sweatshirt and hat and started talking to me about their legendary comeback over the Giants.
Rich Kurtzman
"I'm a Patriots fan," he said. "But what a game!"
Enjoy This, Broncos Fans
Enjoy all this winning, Broncos fans. You earned it.
Right now, in this topsy-turvy NFL, the Broncos have as much a shot to win the whole thing as any other team.
They're riding high, and would be the No. 3 seed in the AFC if the playoffs started today.
Enjoy the tough matchup against the scary-good defense the Houston Texans present tomorrow morning. And have fun with the likely defensive battle we're about to witness.
Because every team that gets to the level of greatness has to go through tough tests. They have to beat good teams on the road in November and December to win it all in February.
Every bad team has to first learn how to win, which is what Sean Payton taught this group last year. Then, they have to take the next incremental step from good to great to win it all.
After a rough start, Denver's the hottest team in football at a great time. The Broncos have really hit their stride as they ride into Houston.
Enjoy it. Soak it in.
This year, I've felt the excitement of my 12-year old self watching these Broncos. Both the exhilaration of a crazy win (Eagles, Giants wins), and the devastation of a defeat (Colts game).
And I've run up and down the hallway carrying my daughter in delight, just like my dad used to run up and down the hall by himself (specifically, after The Drive II).
Life is so much better when you're enjoying it for fun instead of viewing every situation seriously, like a career.
