In a season filled with ups and downs, the Denver Broncos have emerged as a surprising contender in the AFC. With a current record that has them at the top of the conference standings, their performance has sparked discussions about their legitimacy as a playoff team. Despite outward appearances, a closer examination of their victories reveals a pattern of near-misses and close calls against teams that haven’t fared well this season.
The Broncos’ success can largely be attributed to their defense, which has shown strength in several matchups. Quarterback Bo Nix, while not the most exciting player in the league, has been relatively prudent with the football, benefiting from reliable targets like Courtland Sutton when the pressure mounts. However, the team’s impressive record—currently at 7-2 in one-score games—has raised eyebrows, particularly given the quality of their opponents.
Breaking down their wins, the Broncos have faced a series of lackluster teams. They managed to edge out the Tennessee Titans but were hardly tested, given the Titans’ struggles this season. Their most notable victory came against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was a hard-fought battle that saw Denver trailing for much of the game before a fourth-quarter surge. Victories over teams like the New York Jets, who have been hampered by their own woes, and two wins against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders further cast doubt on the Broncos’ strength.
Although the Broncos toppled the Dallas Cowboys convincingly, that win was more of a statement than a consistent trend, as they also scraped by against a number of poorly performing teams. Much of the success has revolved around late-game heroics, with kicker Will Lutz stepping up multiple times to secure victories in tightly contested games.
Statistically, the Broncos’ performance indicates that they have benefited from a softer schedule thus far, as their 31st-ranked strength of schedule starkly contrasts with the more challenging path they are set to encounter in the coming weeks. This discrepancy could complicate their path moving forward, especially considering their ability to close out games has been more reliant on luck than execution.
Moreover, questions linger regarding Nix’s capabilities as a quarterback. Although he ranks well in terms of conservative play, he struggles with risky passes and has recorded a concerning number of interceptions, given the short yardage nature of his attempts. His issues with batted passes and reliance on short throws underscore a potential weakness that opposing defenses might exploit as the competition intensifies.
On the offensive side, the loss of running back JK Dobbins has certainly impacted their ground game. The team once boasted a more potent rushing attack with Dobbins contributing significantly before his injury, and the subsequent drop-off to backup RJ Harvey has created additional hurdles for the Broncos’ offensive efficiency.
Despite the team’s ten-game winning streak and home-field advantage, they find themselves labeled as underdogs against the Green Bay Packers this week. This matchup has implications not only for playoff positioning but also for the legitimacy of the Broncos as true contenders. As analysts weigh in on their prospects, it remains to be seen whether this season will confirm Denver’s status as a playoff powerhouse or expose them as a team benefitting from favorable circumstances against weaker opponents. The upcoming games should provide clarity on the true capabilities of this Broncos squad.
