Just like that, the Denver Broncos are suddenly playoff contenders.
On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the win against the Browns, detail Denver’s playoff chances, identify Pro Bowl-worthy Broncos and preview Sunday’s game against the Texans.
You can listen to episode No. 96 below:
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
The Broncos look like the real deal
- Following a 29-12 win (Scorigami!) over the Browns, the Broncos have now won five straight games and are 6-5.
- Sunday was not a fluky win. Denver won a convincing game against a good AFC team. The Broncos out-rushed the Browns 169-107 and sacked Cleveland QBs four times while only allowing one sack (none to Myles Garrett). Denver also had another three-takeaway game.
- The Broncos look like a well-coached unit, and they now have a legitimate chance to make the NFL playoffs after a 1-5 start.
Playoff push
- Right now, Denver is the ninth seed behind the 6-5 Texans (who the Broncos will face on Sunday) and 6-5 Colts (who have a tiebreaker edge at the moment).
- Cleveland is down at least one QB, Pittsburgh is stuck with Kenny Pickett, Buffalo lost head-to-head against Denver and Houston will host the Broncos in Week 13. Getting to the seventh seed is a real possibility.
- The Broncos probably need to get to 10 wins, which would be winning four of their next six: @ Texans, @ Chargers, @ Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Chargers, @ Raiders. Huge game against the Texans coming up and a tough three-game road stretch on deck.
Pro Bowl voting
- Fan voting for the 2024 Pro Bowl opened on Monday (it’s going to be a flag football format again with Peyton and Eli coaching).
- Broncos who deserve to make it: CB Pat Surtain, DB Kareem Jackson, returner Marvin Mims, OG Quinn Meinerz, WR Courtland Sutton.
- Honorable mentions: QB Russell Wilson (20-4 TD-INT), CB Ja’Quan McMillian, OLB Baron Browning.
Texans game
- Despite winning their last five games, the Broncos are listed as 3-point underdogs against the Texans. Game is in Houston and oddsmakers probably want to tap into betters buying into Denver’s winning streak.
- In theory, the Broncos could win this game, split with the Chargers and lose to the Lions and still win 10 games. Or Denver could lose this game, sweep the Chargers and lose in Detroit and still get to 10 wins. Maybe I’m getting too far ahead of myself, though. Can the Broncos get a win on Sunday?
Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.
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