Are the Broncos Back in the Playoff Race?
Photo Credit: Andy Cross, Denver Post
After the 50-point loss to the Miami Dolphins early in the season, it seemed the Denver Broncos’ hopes were already slim. A couple of losses after that and a close but unconvincing win against the Bears had fans all but asking for firings, trades, and a complete rebuild for the team. Fire sale rumors came in waves, and the outlook was that the team should go ahead and prepare for the draft.
Fast forward a few weeks, and the Broncos have won three straight, including back-to-back matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. Not only has this inspired hope for what this team can be, but it inspires hope for what this team is now. How have the Broncos turned this season, and what does it mean for their season?
The most obvious improvement for the team has been the defense. The defense that gave the Dolphins 70 points in Week 3 have found a completely different identity. They have been the primary reason for the Broncos turnaround, including playing outstanding pass defense and creating turnovers. The Broncos have forced four turnovers in each of the past two games for the first time in their franchise since 1990. This drastic turnaround has taken a ton of weight off of the offenses’ shoulders. While the job is not done, as the Broncos also gave up 192 rush yards to the Bills in their close win, Vance Joseph and the defense have been the strength of the Broncos in their recent win streak.
Perhaps the second most important turnaround has been the revival of Russell Wilson. Wilson, who started off very slowly in Sean Payton’s new system, was the target of many trade rumors throughout the early parts of the season. This seemed to be a turnover from last season’s production, showing that Wilson was not the long-term answer for the franchise. A sudden change has come with Wilson’s increasing familiarity with Payton’s system, however, and Wilson has quickly become more reliable and efficient. In recent weeks, he has outplayed top quarterbacks, and he has been a focal point of the offense.
In addition to these improvements, the team as a whole has begun to play complimentary football. The run game has greatly improved behind its highly graded run blocking offensive line, leading to an average of 142 rush yards in their last three games. The special teams have contributed as well; Marvin Mims Jr. had multiple great returns to start the Broncos with great field position during the Bills game, and it was a game winning field goal at the end that kept the Broncos alive. The coaches have put in the effort, and they trusted the team they and when they did not make any trades at the deadline, and it has clearly paid off.
The question is, with the way the Broncos are playing, do they have a shot to make something out of this season? Their schedule certainly favors it; the Broncos have to face the Chargers twice and the Raiders once, giving them plenty of opportunities to continue to rise in the AFC. Perhaps the hardest matchup they face is versus the Detroit Lions, but that gives the Broncos the potential to finish the season with no more than one or two losses in the AFC.
Speaking of the AFC, it looks like the Wild West, with multiple teams fighting for the wide-open playoff spots. Although the Broncos currently find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole, they are only two games out from sneaking into a wildcard spot. This leaves them no room for error, but with the opportunity to knock their division rivals out of the race and the tough schedule that many of the teams ahead of them face, the chance is certainly there. Will it happen? It is very unlikely. But two weeks ago, analysts were saying it was impossible. The Broncos have continued to surprise people with the way they have played, and if they can continue to do it, the stars could align to put this improved Broncos team in position to steal a playoff spot.
