Denver Broncos Loss Sends Them Falling In Power Rankings Polls

By Rich Kurtzman

The Denver Broncos didn't just lose Sunday night to the Indianapolis Colts—they had a fall from grace.

While many of the nation's top media members believed the Broncos were the best team in the NFL during their 6-0 start, Denver's taken a tumble down the power rankings.

CBS Local Sports now has the Broncos at No. 3, down from No. 1. CBSsports.com's Pat Kirwan says Denver's the fourth-best team behind the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Likewise, it's been argued that the Broncos are only the fourth-best NFL team, with Indy, the New Orleans Saints and Seahawks as numbers 3-1.

(Credit, Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Are the Broncos the best team in the NFL?

After their road loss to the Colts on Sunday night – one in which Denver turned the ball over three times and struggled on both sides of the ball – it's hard to argue they are.

Elite? Yes. A playoff and Super Bowl contender? Certainly.

But, at least for this week, the Broncos aren't the league's top team.

Broncos – Redskins matchup draws FOX's top broadcast team

When the Washington Redskins come to the Mile High City this Sunday, FOX will be televising with their top team of broadcasters.

According to Jake Russel, Thom Brennaman – filling in for Joe Buck, who is calling the World Series – Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver will be on hand in Denver to call the game. That means the Broncos will be FOX's nationally televised game of the week, which has been a running theme for the boys in orange and blue.

Denver has already played on Thursday night, and last week on Sunday Night Football, while enjoying the top broadcasters on both CBS and FOX multiple times. The Broncos are without a doubt one of the NFL's most popular teams – especially in the Rocky Mountain Region – and the presence of Peyton Manning along with playing very well makes playing Denver's team on national TV quite enticing to broadcasters.

Of course, adding to the intrigue of 6-1 Denver versus 2-4 Washington is the return of former Broncos head coach and current head man for the Redskins, Mike Shanahan. Shanahan led the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles while winning a team-record 138 games from the mid-90s through the late 2000s.

Broncos and Chiefs opponents have identical records

With their first loss of the season, the Broncos fell to 6-1 while the Kansas City Chiefs won Sunday and improved to 7-0 as the final remaining unbeaten team. KC leads the AFC West, though many have questioned the Chiefs competition to this point.

Well, if you look closely, the level of competition for each team has been equal, and not great, either.

The combined records of the teams both Denver and Kansas City have played thus far? 11-25.

For more Broncos news and updates, visit Broncos Central.

Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.