The Denver Broncos aren’t dead yet!
After starting the season 1-5, the Broncos are suddenly 4-5 and back in the playoff hunt after three straight victories. To react to last week’s win in Buffalo and preview Sunday’s game against the Vikings, I joined host Ryan O’Leary on the latest Broncos Wire podcast to break it all down.
You can listen to episode No. 94 below.
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
1. HUGE win over the Bills!
- I don’t care if the Bills blew it more than the Broncos won it, you have to take advantage of the opportunities you get. Denver found a way to win.
- The Broncos had nine one-score losses in 2022, tying an NFL record. They did not win these kinds of games last season. Good teams find ways to win.
2. What a play by Courtland Sutton
- That touchdown catch was absolutely fantastic. Sutton now has 7 TDs this season, setting a new career high with eight games remaining. He has been Mr. Reliable for Russell Wilson this season.
3. Speaking of Russell Wilson…
- Russ was not perfect on Monday. He once again took a few bad sacks and his underthrown ball preceded Sutton’s fumble, and he also had an underthrown ball to Jeudy that was bailed out by pass interference.
- With all of that said, Wilson showed up when it mattered most. He led a game-winning drive and he now has 30 fourth-quarter comeback wins, 10th-most in NFL history.
- He made plays with his legs all game, including the pass to Sutton for the TD. Wilson also had a great flip to Samaje Perine on third down and he stood in and took a hit on his TD pass to Javonte Williams. He looked like the Wilson of old buying time with his legs and improvising to keep plays alive.
- Wilson is not a perfect QB, but he’s a gamer, and the Broncos can win with him.
4. The Broncos have a winning formula
- During Denver’s three-game winning streak, Javonte Williams has 15, 27 and 21 carries. He is the team’s workhorse and pounding the rock with a great defense is a winning formula.
- The defense has 9 takeaways over the last two weeks: 5 vs. the Chiefs and 4 vs. the Bills (plus a turnover on downs against Buffalo). This looks like the Denver defense we expected this year, and perhaps even better.
- Ja’Quan McMillian continues to play exceptionally well as the slot cornerback and Fabian Moreau has stepped up as the CB2 across from Pat Surtain. Kareem Jackson is set to return from suspension this week, but I’d keep P.J. Locke as a starting safety (ankle permitting).
5. Are the Broncos real playoff contenders?
- Right now, Denver is the 14th seed so there’s a lot of work to be done. But seven of the teams above them only have one more win, including the Texans, who are currently the 7th seed (last playoff spot).
- Denver’s remaining opponents: Vikings (6-4), Browns (6-3), Texans (5-4), Chargers (4-5), Lions (7-2), Patriots (2-8) and Raiders (5-5).
- Not saying it’s easy or a sure thing, but it’s possible. Would ten wins be enough? If so, they’d need to win 6 of last 8.
6. Bring on the Vikings
- Minnesota is 2-0 with Josh Dobbs, but Denver is playing at home and riding a 3-game winning streak. The Broncos are listed as 2-point favorites and the over/under for total points scored is 43.0.
- Will the Broncos defeat the Vikings and improve to 5-5?
Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.
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