NFL
By Keith Richards
The date is October 12, 2023. The Broncos were just defeated by the Chiefs (19-8) in the primetime Thursday Night Football game. It’s the fifth loss for Denver in its first six games to start the season. The consensus is that the Broncos are dead. Fast forward to November 29, 2023. The Denver Broncos are on a five-game winning streak. Have the Broncos been brought back to life? Looking at their remaining schedule, can they make the playoffs?
Trust me, I’m not shifting blame or pointing fingers. After that Denver loss to Kansas City, even I began to question if the Broncos should start looking forward to 2024. However, Denver now holds the longest active winning streak in the NFL. So, I ask again, looking at their remaining schedule, can the Denver Broncos make the 2023-24 NFL Playoffs?
Today, I take a look at the remaining six games for Denver this season. I will give my prediction on whether I believe Denver will win that game or not. In the end, I will answer the question many Denver fans want to know: To Playoffs or not to playoffs?
Week 13 – Houston Texans – Win (7-5)
If you had asked me at the beginning of the season if the Texans were a team on Denver’s remaining schedule that should concern them, I would have given you an emphatic no. That is not the case today. C.J. Stroud has performed beyond all estimated expectations in his rookie season. A team that many thought would be competing for a top five draft pick is competing for the playoffs and an AFC South Division title.
Here are some of Stroud’s greatest hits in his rookie campaign:
• 3,266 yards passing (2nd in the NFL)
• 3.8 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio (19 touchdowns/5 INTs; 3rd in the NFL)
• 296.9 yards passing per game (1st in the NFL)
• 100.8 rating (6th in the NFL)
As the kids would say, C.J. Stroud is HIM! Stroud, though, is just a man and still a rookie. During their five-game winning streak, the Denver defense is only allowing 190.4 passing yards per game and 16 points per game. More importantly, Denver’s defense is an absolute turnover machine as of late. Conversely, Denver’s offense has turned the ball over minimally in that same time frame.
AP photo
During the last five games, Denver has 16 takeaways to three giveaways. So, that’s why I’m picking the Broncos to win. I think Stroud will test them more than they expect, but the Denver defense is just too good right now. It will be a lesson learned for the kid.
Week 14 – Los Angeles Chargers – Loss (7-6)
Of the remaining games for Denver, they have three division battles. The Chargers are two of those three division battles. As we saw in the Broncos’ defeat of the Chiefs, expect the unexcepted when it comes to division games.
The Broncos’ record in one-possession games is 4-3. The Chargers’ record in one-possession games is 2-5. Right now, I think Denver is better than the 4-7 Chargers, but don’t underestimate the power of a division game. The streak had to end sometime. Week 14 will be that time.
Week 15 – Detroit Lions – Win (8-6)
Of the six remaining teams they face, the Lions will be the toughest test of the Broncos, which is somewhat of a shock as well. Many, like myself, predicted that Detroit would be good this season, but I don’t think many predicted they’d be 8-3, one of the best teams in the NFL good.
We can’t predict what will happen in three weeks. If we could I would ensure that Denver finished the season undefeated. In this, the toughest test in the remaining games, we can only make educated guesses about what will occur. To make an educated guess, let’s review the last five games for the Lions:
• 38-6 loss, one giveaway
• 26-14 win, three giveaways
• 41-38 win, one giveaway
• 31-26 win, four giveaways
• 29-22 loss, three giveaways
Assuming all things remain constant, this should concern Detroit fans. Especially against a team getting turnovers like it’s a bake sale. I expect Denver to get at least two turnovers on their way to victory.
Week 16 – New England Patriots – Win (9-6)
Listen, I’m not trying to be lazy, but I’m not spending much time on this game. The Patriots are terrible this season. They could very well be 2-12 by the time this game comes around. Again, assuming all things constant, the Denver defense will slaughter whoever New England decides is quarterback that week. Denver wins going away. Simple as.
Week 17 – Chargers Part II – Win (10-6)
When the Chargers come into the Mile High City for Denver’s second-to-last remaining game, they’ll be fresh off a division game against the Raiders and a trip to Buffalo. Like I said before, expect the unexpected with division games. As for Buffalo, they may not be who we thought they were, but that can easily still get you.
Los Angeles will be coming to play at altitude for their second-to-last remaining game of the season. Even if they are somehow fresh coming into the game, the altitude will humble them very quickly. Advantage – Denver.
Week 18 – Las Vegas Raiders – Win (11-6)
There’s a saying here in Colorado that many Broncos fans live by. FTR – F**K THE RAIDERS! Broncos fans HATE the Raiders. Hate might be an understatement. So, right there is all the motivation that you need for Denver to defeat Las Vegas. However, there’s more. It’s the last remaining streak the Broncos have not broken this season.
After breaking the dreadful losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs, the remaining division rival that has a winning streak against Denver is the Las Vegas Raiders (seven consecutive wins). Given the extreme hatred the Broncos have for the Raiders, they’ll be chomping at the bit to win their remaining game against the Raiders this season.
Las Vegas already defeated Denver earlier in Week 1. It’s a game the Broncos should have won. Since then, the Broncos have progressed and the Raiders have regressed. I think it might still end up being close, but Denver will win this one to close out the season.
The Results are In
So, based on my predictions, the Broncos would finish the season at 11-6. As of November 29th, Denver sits two spots out of the Wild Card. It’s unlikely that they will catch the Chiefs to win the division title. So, the Wild Card is likely what gets the Broncos into the playoffs.
Both the Colts and Texans are ahead of the Broncos. In addition, both currently hold the tiebreaker over Denver based on conference record. I think we can discount the Colts. Indy still has to play the Bengals, Steelers, Texans, and a scrappy Falcons team. They’ll neither be able to hold off Denver in the conference record nor total win-loss record. It’s the Texans that will be who Denver needs to overtake.
Obviously, a win over Houston would be a significant boost to the Broncos’ playoff chances. Outside of Denver, the remaining opponents for the Texans are the Jets, Titans (x2), and Browns. Houston could easily win all those remaining games, but they could easily lose them as well.
So…drumroll please…YES! The Denver Broncos will make the playoffs with their 11-6 record. C.J. Stroud is already a stud and will continue to be one. However, he will show the chinks in his armor of being a rookie just enough for the Broncos to jump them.
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