If the Denver Broncos are going to make the NFL playoffs, they probably need to win three of their final four games to finish with a 10-7 record.
Coincidentally, the Broncos will finish the regular season with three straight games against backup quarterbacks on their 2023 schedule.
Before getting to those matchups, Denver will face Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in Week 15, their toughest remaining game (on paper) this season.
After that, the Broncos will host Bailey Zappe and the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve in Week 16. Zappe was a backup for 11 games this season before Mac Jones was benched. He has a 55.4% completion rate, three touchdowns and three interceptions this year and has been sacked nine times.
Next, Denver will host Easton Stick and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. Stick took over for the Chargers on Sunday after Justin Herbert suffered a season finger injury. He went 13-of-24 passing against the Broncos for 179 yards with no touchdowns, two sacks and two fumbles.
To wrap up the season, Denver will face the Aidan O’Connell and the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 18. O’Connell was a backup for six games behind Jimmy Garoppolo this year and he got the starting job after Josh McDaniels was fired. O’Connell’s numbers: 63.8% completion rate, four touchdowns, seven interceptions, 17 sacks and four fumbles.
Here’s a quick look at all four the quarterbacks on the Broncos’ remaining schedule along with their Total QBR rating from ESPN (0-100 scale).
Jared Goff: 58.2 QBR
Bailey Zappe: 27.2 QBR
Easton Stick: 37.5 QBR
Aidan O'Connell: 31.1 QBR
If the Broncos can’t manage to win three of their last four games, the team certainly does not deserve to reach the playoffs. Denver has a clear path to the postseason — now they need to take advantage of it.
