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Broncos Twitter Debate After Chiefs Loss: Are Moral Victories Real or BS?

Fans on Twitter were clearly torn.
December 12, 2022
Image: Justin Simmons eschewed moral victories following the Broncos' December 11 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Justin Simmons eschewed moral victories following the Broncos' December 11 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. @viclombardi

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Yes, the Denver Broncos lost again, this time to the Kansas City Chiefs, 34-28, on December 11. Yes, the defeat was the squad's fifth in a row, and the ninth out of the last ten games. And yes, plenty of folks on social media are still reacting to head coach Nathaniel Hackett's optimism despite a dismal 3-10 record with a level of disgust seldom seen outside a vomitorium.

Then again, Hackett isn't the only one trying to find a glimmer of sunshine within the angry bank of thunderclouds that is the Broncos' horrific 2022-2023 campaign. Plenty of fans and pundits alike on Twitter have pointed out that Denver didn't lay down and die after falling behind Patrick Mahomes and company 27-0 in the first half. Likewise, they've noted that the 28 points put up by embattled quarterback Russell Wilson and backup Brett Rypien, who stepped in after Russ sustained a conclusion from a head-first dive for a key first down, is the most the Broncos have managed this season, as well as nine more than in the previous two games combined. And they're celebrating that the Men in Orange showed resolve to the bitter end even though their dreams of a playoff run went the way of all flesh a month ago.

However, such efforts to brand another Broncos failure as a moral victory haven't been universally embraced — and they shouldn't be. The Chiefs could have clinched the AFC West crown last night had their victory been paired with a flop by the Los Angeles Chargers, and while that didn't happen (L.A. bested the Miami Dolphins 23-17), no one doubts that they'll do so shortly. As a result, they had little incentive to show off and show out against an opponent they've dominated for the better part of seven years; the triumph yesterday was the franchise's fourteenth consecutive over Denver. That KC managed to hold off the Broncos was the biggest surprise since the last breath you took.

Also noteworthy: The three touchdown catches snagged by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy could easily have not happened, since he bumped a referee during a temper tantrum that preceded his trips to the end zone — the sort of behavior that typically results in a player getting tossed.

Even so, those Twitter users still paying attention were clearly torn over whether to focus on the fact that they still took the L home. Here are our picks for the twenty most memorable examples:

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Image: Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.
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