Do you remember the post-fight embrace and conversation between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa in Rocky? It went something like this: “Ain’t gonna be no rematch.” “Don’t want one.”
And so it is with the now 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs and the now 9-1 Denver Broncos. Maybe Denver’s 27-17 victory wasn’t as epic as that first fight in Rocky, but we know it was definitely the start of something. We didn’t know back in 1976 there would be lots more Rockys to come, that’s for sure.
As we know now, Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers (a member of the Oakland Raiders in 1970-71, incidentally) were just getting started. We had to wait three years for a rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa in Rocky 2, which hit the big screen in 1979. We only have to wait two weeks for the rematch of the Broncos and Chiefs, this time at Arrowhead Stadium.
When Apollo Creed faced off against Rocky Balboa we knew little of the challenger, but we soon found out he could take a punch… lots of punches… and that he had a mean left hook. Creed took the body blows, but only after he realized this guy Balboa will not go down.
We knew before last Sunday night’s contest that the Broncos had a great offense with one of the best quarterbacks of all time. The Chiefs, meanwhile, came in like Rocky with a great defensive chin, the best in the NFL. Manning kept firing out that jab for another 300-yard game with a touchdown, no sacks and just enough of a run game to stay away from those left hooks.
Which brings us to the rematch, just nine days away now on December 1st.
The venue shifts from Mile High to Arrowhead and a Sea of Red. The pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston will be aided by deafening crowd noise (the loudest in outdoor stadium history). Alex Smith will try and use the ring wisely. He’ll study the film with Andy Reid – his very own Mickey aka Burgess Meredith. Maybe they’ll work on quickness by chasing chickens around, but I know this: they’ll be sure to get the Jamaal Charles going early.
SPOILER ALERT: Rocky won the epic second battle. What will happen in this one? Hard to say, but remember there are a whole lot of Rocky sequels. Just imagine Broncos-Chiefs III for a chance at a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII. Yo Adrian!!
– James Lofton
James Lofton is the analyst for WestwoodOne’s coverage of Sunday Night Football. This week, James will see the Broncos against as Denver travels to New England to face the Patriots. Coverage begins Sunday at 7:30 Eastern.
