NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Denver Broncos are on a run and if the rest of the AFC are not careful, they could become collateral damage. Not saying the Broncos are Super Bowl bound but keep an eye on them.
During their 5-game winning streak, the Broncos have beaten the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and the Kansas City Chiefs. But all everyone wants to mention are the 70 points the Miami Dolphins dropped on them in Week 3.
Ok, that happened and everyone has moved on. But this is clearly not the same Broncos team from that embarrassing Sunday afternoon. Hell, if you’ve been watching, that’s not who they’ve been all season either.
Besides that Dolphins meltdown, the Denver Broncos have been in every game. A few bad plays have them sitting with 5 losses. To say that Sean Payton has not made a difference is like saying the Chicago Bulls did not need Scottie Pippen during their dynasty run.
Russell Wilson took and accepted all the negative criticism last season but this year, those same critics are silent. The nod to their turnaround has gone towards Peyton while Wilson is showing signs of being the same All-Pro QB he was while with the Seattle Seahawks.
Can The Denver Broncos Make The Playoffs
But it goes deeper than coach and QB. During the NFL trade deadline, many expected the Broncos to move one of their talented receivers. However, Payton knew better. He understands that for Wilson to thrive in his offense, Wilson must have weapons. And can anyone argue that that decision hasn’t paid off?
While the offense has been rolling, the Denver Broncos have leaned on their defense to keep them in games. Take that 70-point Dolphins explosion out of the equation. Besides the Phins, the Broncos have held 6 teams to 20 points or fewer and that includes both games against the Chiefs. And yet, they’re written off on a consistent basis.
If the Broncos make the playoffs, the Chiefs should be worried. The same goes for the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos defense is that good. Yes, there will be plays where they give up yards but lately, with the game on the line, they have not broken. That’s a strong concern for the opposition moving forward.
The phrase “bend but don’t break” is usually a term given to a defense that may surrender yards, but never the big TD. This is what their entire Broncos team has done. They surrendered plays, but when their backs are up against a wall, they make the necessary stops and find ways to move the chains in their favor.
The Broncos offense is clicking. While fans are looking for 30+ points per game, why is there a need for that when the defense is playing lights out? The team is getting hot at the right time. They have beaten quality opponents and they have momentum and experience at the two most important positions. Count them out all you want, just know, that the Denver Broncos are not done.
