Denver Broncos

Broncos Fanzone: Interview with Leora Ruzin II

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans pose for a photo before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

With the Denver Broncos taking on the Kansas City Chiefs, this week’s edition of the Broncos Fanzone features a familiar face.

Broncos Country, I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hope that you got to spend time with your friends and family.

With the holiday season here, it is time for the NFL to begin to focus in on the playoff picture. This Sunday’s game between the Denver and Kansas City will have huge playoff implications.

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Both teams hold the two wild card spots in the AFC going into the Week 12 games. The Chiefs have the edge on the Broncos due to their division record.

The Push to the Playoffs for Denver begins now. They have the toughest remaining schedule with four games against current playoff teams. Plus they go on the road to play Jacksonville and Tennessee.

A win against the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football would really help their cause in the playoff race.

For such a big game, I have decided to bring back a special guest from last season’s Broncos’ Fanzone.

Last season, I interviewed Leora Ruzin, who is the lead reporter for the Denver Broncos over at NFL Female.

Now she has returned to chat with me about the showdown. And she will give us her takes on the season up to this point.

So, let us see what Leora Ruzin has to say.

Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) runs against the New Orleans Saints in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos are returning from their bye. What is one thing that you hope will improve for this final stretch of the season?

The Broncos desperately need help with the offensive line. Without a solid front, it does not matter who the Broncos put in as quarterback. The line is so weak, that is is virtually impossible to establish any kind of run game. This has been their Achilles heel for the last three years.

What are your takes on Trevor Siemian’s performance at this point in the season?

It is really tough to gauge his performance. There is definitely room for improvement, though.

I can only imagine the amount of pressure this kid is under, to take over a team that won the Super Bowl behind Peyton Manning, while knowing that a hungry Paxton Lynch is waiting in the wings.

I think that given the current situation that he is in, he has done a good job. He needs to get more relaxed and improve on his ability to read the defense, but these are aspects of quarterback play that improve with time.

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Denver Broncos helmet on the field against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

We got the chance to chat last year and you told me your favorite moment between the Chiefs and Broncos. What would you say is your favorite Broncos moment of all time?

Boy, it’s so hard for me to pick my all-time favorite! I have been to so many games, and have had so many amazing experiences over my 33 years of fandom.

If I had to pick just one, it would be the 2005 season, when the Broncos beat the Patriots in the AFC Divisional game. I was a season ticket holder at the time, and was lucky enough to be able to attend the game.

I don’t know what it was, but the energy during that game was like nothing I had ever experienced before (or since). The entire stadium was on fire with excitement, with everyone shaking their gold Pom Poms in the air.

It truly was a special moment when the Broncos won, and I was incredibly moved by how energized the fans were.

Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) pose after the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

What do you think the Broncos need to do in order to win against a tough Chiefs team?

The game against the Chiefs is going to be the turning point in the Broncos season. The outcome of the game will set the tone and will show us exactly what kind of team we are dealing with.

The Chiefs are coming off a heartbreaking loss, and they are going to be angry. The formula for a Broncos victory is simple’ protect the ball, and win the turnover game.

The offense needs to establish dominance early, and develop long drives so the defense remains rested and fresh. The only way to do this is to get the running game going.

Who is your X-Factor for the game on Sunday? What do you believe the final score will be?

If the Broncos can make whatever changes they need to make on the offensive line to give the running game a chance to emerge, my X-Factor player is Devontae Booker. I really like his speed and spatial awareness.

Games against the Chiefs are always close, and this one will be no different. This game has all the makings of an epic showdown, and I see the Broncos beating the Chiefs on SNF by a score of 27-24.

Thank You Leora for taking the time out to visit once again. If you are interested to see what she has been working on, you can follow her here and visit NFLFemale.com.

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