After an embarrassing start to the season, Denver is back on track and eyeing the postseason. Is playing in January a real possibility? The coaches think so, and the locker room is beginning to believe it. And now that fans have something to root for, with their support, anything is possible. What Denver did before its bye is so important. And now that the break is over, it’s time to continue that excellent trajectory. Is this team for real? Only the rest of the season will show. But here’s how the Broncos can make the playoffs.
Postseason Football: How The Broncos Can Make The Playoffs
Starters
Despite having some holes to fill next season, this year’s roster is solid. Even after releasing some veteran talent, Denver’s locker room is a unified force. Much of that is due to the team not being “sellers” prior to the NFL trade deadline. Especially on offense, players who were expected to be traded are still with the team. And that level of trust by head coach Sean Payton does not go unnoticed. Quarterback Russell Wilson leads the offense. Safety Justin Simmons leads the defense. And the entire roster shows the league how the Broncos can make the playoffs – by believing in each other.
Schedule
After a 1-5 start, Denver rattled off two huge wins. And now, at 3-5, although the record still isn’t great, the Broncos are looking ahead and liking what they are seeing. Especially after beating the Kansas City Chiefs and ending a terrible streak, there’s hope in the Mile High City. Over the next nine games, only three of Denver’s opponents currently have winning records. If the Broncos lose to those three teams and beat the other six, that would lead to a 9-8 record. A projection of 10-7 was about the best Denver could muster in the offseason, so any winning record is great, especially after such a rocky start.
Support
But perhaps the most important factor to how the Broncos can make the playoffs is their fans. A large contingent wanted the team to tank, after a horrendous beginning to the 2023 season. There didn’t seem to be any need to win more games, tanking for a high draft pick seemed the only solution. However, after major improvements, that sentiment has changed. Fans are now back to supporting their club 100%, and they truly believe that more wins are coming. Playoffs are a maybe, but respectability seems assured.
Playing With Hope: How The Broncos Can Make The Playoffs
Although the Buffalo Bills are a tough opponent and the game will be played at Orchard Park on Monday Night Football, the Broncos can beat them. What’s more, the Broncos can beat anyone. At least, that’s the mentality now that the team was not broken up, now that they have strung together multiple wins, and now that the city is back on their side. This starting roster is strong. The upcoming schedule isn’t hard. And those fans returning to support a team that they love have uplifted a franchise that was about to hit rock bottom. The season is not over, not by a long shot, and January isn’t too far away – Denver has a chance to participate, not spectate, this postseason. That’s how the Broncos make the playoffs, and that’s how a season is turned around.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
