Ex-Denver Broncos Receiver Eric Decker On Where He Would Rank Them Among The AFC’s Elite Teams

Eric Decker believes the Denver Broncos are a top three team in the AFC.

The former Broncos receiver – he helped lead the team to Super Bowl XLVIII – is impressed with the team’s start early on and believes they have a limitless ceiling this season. Denver is 6-2 and currently leads the AFC West. They lost their two games on last-second field goals against the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers.

“I just think that from a talent perspective, the Broncos are up there in the top three,” says Decker in a one-on-one interview. “From a record perspective as well, they’re top three. Indianapolis has been the best team record wise. It comes down to who stays the healthiest and who can deliver come December, January, because that’s really when it’s most important.”

The Broncos from a record standpoint are a top three team, tied with the New England Patriots for the second-best record in the AFC. The best team entering Week 9 are the 7-1 Colts. It’s worth noting that Denver was on the verge of beating Indianapolis in Week 2 after a missed field goal by Spencer Shrader. However, Shrader was given another chance to convert after a penalty was called on Dondrea Tillman for leverage.

Denver is definitely a more impressive team this year, with Bo Nix making strides as a franchise quarterback after an impressive rookie season. Nix has thrown 15 touchdowns against five interceptions while posting a sack rate of just 2.73% – that’s a drastic improvement from the 4.06% sack rate he displayed during his rookie season.

His sack rate is the best in the NFL by far, with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott posting the second-best sack rate at 3.33%.

They’ve obviously shown the ability to beat NFL contenders, overcoming a 14-point deficit on the road to beat the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. It was just the second time in the past year the Eagles had lost a game.

They showed off their comeback prowess again when they overcame an 18-point fourth quarter deficit against the New York Giants with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

“I really like Denver, I think Sean Payton has done a good job offensively of really blossoming Bo Nix, and he’s had a great year so far,” says Decker of the Broncos. “Defense has always been solid, but I do think that they’re in the upper echelon of AFC.”

Decker mentions that the Kansas City Chiefs are still a force to be reckoned with. While they’re technically behind the Broncos in the division, they’re starting to play better as of late, racking up three straight wins. Those wins have come against formidable opponents in the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

It’s worth noting that while the Chiefs are 5-3 this season, they were in the Super Bowl last year with a 15-2 record, losing their final regular season game against the Broncos when they sat their starters. Furthermore, they’ve won the division in each of the past nine years.

The Chiefs and Broncos have yet to play each other this season, with their first matchup scheduled to take place in Week 11 in Denver. It will be a huge litmus test for the Broncos to prove that they are the true AFC West favorites by beating a Chiefs team with all of their starters on the field.

When ignoring their Week 18 victory over the Chiefs last season, the Broncos have defeated Kansas City just once since November 2015. Decker also mentions the Buffalo Bills as a threat. The Bills have been an annual playoff contender in the Josh Allen era. However, they’ve gone 0-4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs in the Allen era.

“Kansas City, you can’t ignore,” says Decker. “I mean, they are Kansas City. They will always be Kansas City while they have a healthy Patrick Mahomes. Indianapolis is always up there, but Denver is right up there as well. Can’t forget about Buffalo. I do think that you know they’re going to make a run towards the end of year.”

Decker says he’s “excited” about the Broncos’ prospects this year. After making their first playoff appearance last year since the 2015 season, they seem primed to win their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl 50 at the conclusion of the 2015 season.

“I’m excited,” says Decker of the Broncos. “I think they can make the playoffs, and hopefully they can make an extended run, because I’m always rooting for the Broncos.”

Eric Decker Spreading Awareness About Prostate Cancer During ‘Movember’

While Decker is obviously excited to see his former team emerge as true contenders for the first time in a decade, he’s partnering with Gillette and Movember to spread awareness about prostate cancer. The 38-year-old former NFL receiver is partnering with Gillette for the first time for an important cause.

“This month of November, I partnered up with Gillette, as they are now the official grooming partner with Movember,” says Decker. “It’s just important to kind of shine a light on men’s health in particular, prostate cancer. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had kids, I feel like it’s just that much more important for me to take care of myself and my health, to obviously be in my kid’s life and to be a healthy individual. It’s a fun way to raise awareness and to raise some fun.”

For every GilletteLabs razor purchased in November, there’s a $1 donation to Movember. The funds are used to fuel the fight against prostate cancer.

“I always love getting a mustache this time of year,” says Decker. “I got a good group of buddies as well where we have a little standing competition of who can grow the biggest the best looking beard,” says Dekcer. “Mine’s changed over the years, but it’s just again, a fun way to raise some awareness and be able to raise some money for a great cause.”

Decker describes how Movember came about and the whole purpose of the annual event in November.

“Movember came about to create a community and raise awareness about prostate cancer and men’s health in general,” says Decker. “As men, sometimes if its ego or pride, but to necessarily check up on ourselves and make sure that we are healthy. Especially as you get older, you’re more susceptible to different sicknesses or diseases or whatever the case may be. Movember was a fun way for a group of guys to really shine a light and start a conversation by shaving down your face or growing a mustache. It’s also a $1 donation to Movember. The funds are really critical in helping do the research and cure this issue.”