The Broncos are 6-5, the first time they have had a winning record since week 3 of last season. After winning five straight games, the Broncos are looking to grab one of the last playoff spots. Though the Broncos are one of the hottest teams in the league, getting that last spot won’t be easy. The Broncos don’t only have to keep winning games, the other five teams they are fighting with have to lose. To determine if that will happen, looking at these teams and the strength of their remaining schedules is very important.
The Broncos Playoff Hopes: How Do They Compare to Their Five Competitors
Teams That Don’t Truly Challenge the Broncos Playoff Hopes
The Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Though it’s shocking, the Buffalo Bills are one loss away from missing the playoffs. Their season has gone from bad to worse, losing due to their offense’s 20 turnovers. The Bills are a team that seems top tier on paper. They are fifth in points per game, sixth in points against them per game, and are second in sacks. Yet Josh Allen’s league-leading 13 interceptions and the team’s 12 fumbles have most likely cost the Bills their season.
Their schedule doesn’t get any easier. In their last five games of the season, they play the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins who are all 8-3. If the Bills can beat all of these teams, they have hope for a fifth straight playoff appearance. The odds are stacked against them, but the Bills aren’t out yet.
The Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
The Indianapolis Colts are another team that has been shockingly successful. After losing their star rookie QB, Anthony Richardson, their season seemed over. But Gardner Minshew and the Colt’s easy schedule have kept them in the playoff conversation. Though they stand in the way of a Broncos playoff spot at the moment, their team is anything but stellar. Their offense is 17th in total yards per game and their defense is 27th in points allowed per game.
They have beaten teams like the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Carolina Panthers who total seven wins combined. To end their season, it doesn’t get much harder. They play the Texans and the Steelers, but other than that, all other teams they play are under .500. Beating these struggling teams is Indinanapolis’ only hope of making the playoffs.
Teams That Can Shatter the Broncos Playoff Dreams
The Houston Texans (6-5)
The Houston Texans are defying all expectations this year. As a team that only won three games last year, they have had a miraculous turnaround that nobody could have expected. Maybe besides CJ Stroud. The Texan’s rookie QB has played an MVP-caliber season. The Texans are first in passing yards per game and have only turned the ball over 11 times. Stroud has only five interceptions and has the second-most passing yards in the league. Stroud and his offense have dragged their less-than-average defense to a record above .500.
Houston’s remaining schedule is very important for the Bronco’s playoff chances. First and foremost, they play the Broncos this Sunday. This matchup will give one of these teams a large upper hand in the race for a wildcard spot. They also play the Colts and the Browns, two teams that are right above the Texans and Broncos in the standings. If the Texans can beat the Browns and Colts while losing to the Broncos, both teams will be set for a fight to the finish. In some cases, both the Broncos and the Texans can make the playoffs.
The Cleveland Browns (7-4)
Though the Broncos just beat the Cleveland Browns, they are still one of the biggest obstacles to the Broncos playoff hopes. A team that seemed to have a simple road to the playoffs will have a bumpy ride for the rest of the season. The Browns have lost a few of their key player to injuries this season and it’s finally beginning to take effect. Without their starting quarterback, their offense is beginning to flail and the defense can no longer bear the weight. The Browns may be in trouble.
Luckily for them, the Browns schedule isn’t terribly hard. Other than the pivotal matchups against the Texans and the Jaguars, they play teams with losing records. This is a large problem for the Broncos. The Browns will have to lose to the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears, or the Joe Burrowless Cincinnati Bengals if the Broncos are to pass them in the standings.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
The second AFC North team that stands in the Bronco’s way of making the playoffs is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have had one of the strangest seasons in the NFL. Their offense is rudderless, they rank in the bottom six in the NFL for almost every major offensive stat. Kenny Pickett has thrown six touchdowns and only 2000 passing pards in 11 games. Yet, they keep winning. The Steelers defense allows the 5th least amount of points per game and has the 4th most takeaways. Their defense has come up big for them when they need it most.
Pittsburgh’s last five games won’t be a walk in the park, but they are very important to the Broncos playoff hopes. Their next two games are against the Patriots and Cardinals, two teams who are surfing the bottom of the leaderboards. After that, they’ll take on the Colts, a game that could change the fate of every single team in the AFC playoff hunt. Their final three games will be a lot more stressful if they lose against the Colts. They will play the Cincinnati Bengals, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Baltimore Ravens. Though the Bengals game should be a win, the Seahawks and Ravens have high-powered offenses that can take advantage of the Steeler’s low-scoring tendencies. The Broncos and Steelers playoff hopes may come down to those last three games.
Conclusion
As the final push starts, the Broncos destiny isn’t in their hands alone. Because of their terrible start, the Broncos will need the competitors above to lose. With their easy schedules and team success, that won’t be easy. For now, all the Broncos can do is win games and watch. The Broncos season will more than likely be decided in Week 18, and they won’t be relying on their gameplay alone.
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
