There is no denying it: The playoffs are right there for the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos could guarantee themselves a playoff spot by winning their final three games. Even if the Broncos beat the Raiders and the Chiefs at home in the final three games, they would go a long way towards securing a spot in the post-season. It wouldn’t be a guarantee but it would be close.
That is itself is a terrific accomplishment. Let’s quickly rewind to January of this year. The Broncos had a new head coach and turnover on the staff.
Soon after, they had a new quarterback. Then in February, with the start of free agency, the overhaul of the roster began. That ended in late April after they signed their college free agents after the draft.
Expectations outside of team headquarters were mild at best. I’ll admit it, I was thinking the Broncos would be around 8-8, which to me, would have been a good, solid start for Coach McDaniels.
Obviously people inside team headquarters had other thoughts. Good for them.
The coaches and players won’t talk about winning three games or even winning two of three. They’re focused on beating the Raiders on Sunday and that’s what they have been preparing to try to do all week long.
But the rest of us can look at the playoff picture and say that it is shaping up in the Broncos’ favor, provided they take care of their business, especially against the Raiders and Chiefs at home.
One could certainly make the case that if the Broncos can’t win those games, then they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. I agree with that. Let’s face it, while the Raiders and Chiefs won’t roll over and just give the game to the Broncos, there are also a lot of good reasons these two teams have combined for seven wins. I know, I know, on any given Sunday….
The fact is the Broncos can’t afford one of those given Sundays. And I don’t think they’ll experience one. Let me go out on a limb: Denver will beat Oakland and Kansas City.
That’s right; the Broncos will be in the playoffs. I realize I would have looked a whole lot smarter if I had written this three months ago, but just the fact the Broncos have put themselves in a position to, more than less, control whether or not they go to the playoffs is a testament to the great job the coaches and players have done this season.
Think of it, three or four months ago, many believed the Broncos would win around four games this year. Now it’s the stretch drive to the playoffs.
That’s a pretty cool Christmas present.
Are you a believer? Will the Broncos finish the job and make the playoffs? I appreciate your posts and thank you for reading.
Happy Holidays,
Mike
Tags: Oakland Raiders, Week 15
Broncos will make the playoffs and 7/10 chance to beat raiders,eagles and chiefs
WWHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
As always, great post Mr. Rice! I admit, it was looking like a 6 win season. Then the immaculate deflection changed the whole forecast. Now we are thick in the middle of the playoff hunt. Awesome! If we beat our Archrivals tomorrow, it will go a long way to securing that playoff berth we in Broncos Country have been longing for. With some help, we still have an outside chance at that number 2 seed. But I’m not gonna be greedy this year. A wild card gives us the opportunity none of us thought was a possibility this season. Beat the Raiders and GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
The Broncos were just a few injuries form making the playoffs last season and had a lot of talent , so it isn’t a huge suprise to me that they are in contentiion for a spot. I had confidence with M. Nolan coming aboard that the defense would be improved and predicted on this site the Broncos would be 10-6 or 11-5. Too bad the offense dropped of as much as it did or we may still be in charge in the AFC West. Injuries will again this season make or break the Broncos playoff hopes. If we don’t lose any more players the last three games, we are a lock! Go Broncos!
Broncos win all three of their last games. The Eagles will be tough but I think we win. Come on Broncos make us proud.
If coach Mcd mixes up the play calling more, uses Hillis more & throws to the TE’s more (Schefler) we should win all three games. Nows the time to bring it all out, everything we have & play one game at a time & don’t think about the playoffs.
I loved what we have done so far. No one gave a chance but i will always have faith in da BRONCOS. I think coach mcdaniel is a great coach and will the broncos in the playoffs a long time to come.So the rest of the AFC get ready because here we come.GO BRONCOS
Sorry Mike, this outfit won’t make the playoffs. They are still fundamentally unsound at many key positions. I wish Mr. Bowlen would just clean house and get some guys in here that have some heart. The loss to Oakland yesterday proves that the team cannot perform when counted on the most. They didn’t answer the bell. No way the Broncos should’ve lost to a hated division rival with a playoff spot on the line. I don’t know what these guys do in practice and I really don’t care at this point but they sure as hell don’t work on red zone scoring, tackling, blocking, or film study. They make the same mistakes every week. What should’ve been their best effort of the season yesterday turned out to be an embarassment. They won’t beat Philly because they don’t have the pride or the fire in their bellies to do it. They also won’t be the Chiefs because after the loss to Philly they’ll quit on their coach, their teammates, and the fans just like last year. The problem with these guys is that too many get dressed after the game and just say “oh well”. They pay lip service real easy and then go collect a paycheck.
I dont agree with Jlalum01 about the team, however I understand that we are in a disfavorable position, having to beat the Eagles. However be sure that no.20 will be fired up and we have seen over and over again what Dawk can pull out of the sleeves when he is on fire.
However Brian is aging and will not last forever – we need to think more ahead than the coming playoff games and I feel we have some issues on the long term. Anyway back to play off – yeah we lost to the darn Raiders, it has happened before and will again but we were lucky Jaguars, Dolphins and Jets all lost too. A lot of teams are in the hunt but we are forerunners and if the team plays are they have on and off in this season – then we have a chance. The real problem is consistency – Denver arent consistent, we have too many up and downs – if we get the spirit from the first 5-6 games then we can go far, if not we might even wave good bye to the playoffs.
I am however still a believer to the finale second of the final game.
I won’t be surprised if they beat the Eagles on Sunday.