The Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes took a hit after they dropped two consecutive games, including a 30-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a solid performance in certain aspects, the Broncos’ defense failed to force a punt in regulation, and coach Sean Payton seemed to believe that a tie was a reasonable option, even though ties are rare in the NFL. Unfortunately, Payton’s approach backfired, and the Broncos now find themselves at No. 13 in NFL.com’s Week 18 power rankings. As Eric Edholm pointed out, the Broncos no longer have any room for error in their playoff race as the regular season comes to a close.
There is some silver lining, however, as the Chiefs are expected to rest several key starters, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, when they face the Broncos in Week 18. This could give Denver an opportunity to seize the final playoff spot, especially since they came close to beating the Chiefs’ starters earlier in the season. But Edholm cautioned that Denver’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, with no margin for mistake. It’s been a season full of ups and downs for Sean Payton’s team, largely due to the growing pains of a rookie quarterback. Despite a few standout performances from Bo Nix, his inconsistencies were evident in the loss to the Bengals.
One of the key factors contributing to the Broncos’ struggles has been their lack of aggression. Payton’s reluctance to go for the win in critical moments, such as in the Bengals game after Marvin Mims Jr.’s touchdown, cost the team dearly. Instead of being bold and seizing the momentum, Payton allowed Joe Burrow another opportunity to take the game. This decision highlighted the Broncos’ tendency to play it safe, and it raised concerns about their readiness to fight for a playoff spot.
Now, with the Chiefs resting their starters, the Broncos are presented with a prime opportunity to clinch a playoff berth. However, their offensive struggles, particularly their failure to commit to the run game and their questionable play-calling in crunch-time situations, remain significant hurdles. With their season on the line, the Broncos must find a way to overcome these issues if they hope to secure a spot in the postseason. If they fall short once again, Payton’s first year as head coach will end with another underwhelming finish.
