After beginning the 2023 season with a 1-5 record, it seemed like the season was over before it actually got started for the Denver Broncos. But all it takes is a couple of wins to turn the tide and no one knows that better that better than Sean Payton and his crew.
That said, the margin for error has become razor-thin. That is why losing to the Detroit Lions – in spectacular fashion, no less – is so devastating. Let’s get into the game and what it means for the already slim playoff chances for the Broncos.
Lions Establish Dominance on Sunday
The Detroit Lions had been struggling a bit coming into this one, though they still held the lead in the NFC North. For one quarter, it looked as though this would be a tightly contested game between a team that needed to lock its division up and one that simply wanted to get into the playoffs.
But that didn’t last long. The Lions exploded for 21 points in the second quarter, taking a three-score lead with them into the locker room. It wouldn’t get much closer than that in what would quickly become a day the Broncos hoped to forget.
Jared Goff, who had been struggling with turnovers of late, looked like an MVP candidate. He went 24-for-34, throwing for 278 yards and a whopping five touchdowns. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was outstanding, rushing 11 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. No one on the Broncos side could compare to what the Lions were doing.
Playoff Chances Dwindling
While this would normally be one of those instances where players need to shake off what happened and move forward, it is too late in the season for things to be that simple. With this loss, the Broncos have fallen all the way down to 11th in the AFC. Coming in, they were in a six-way tie for sixth place, leaving them right in the thick of the race.
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Of course, they lost a tiebreaker against the Steelers and may have been in trouble compared to the Colts and Texans, both of whom have better AFC records than the Broncos. It was tough enough not having the inside track when push comes to shove.
Denver did hold advantages over the Bills – whom they beat – and the Bengals – whom they have a better AFC record than. Unfortunately, that loss to the Broncos put them way behind the 8-ball. It also puts them two games behind the Chiefs for the AFC West title as the latter got back on track with a 27-17 win against the New England Patriots.
The hopes of winning the division are virtually gone the only hope – a slim one at that – is to grab one of the remaining Wild Card spots. Coming into the game against Detroit, Denver had a 43.1% chance to make the playoffs. With that loss, they now have a 30% chance to make it. That includes a 29.1% chance to grab a Wild Card spot and a 0.1% chance to win the AFC West.
Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
The Final Three Games
If there is a positive aspect to be gleaned, it is the remaining schedule. The Broncos have three games remaining, all against teams who are below .500. The Patriots are up next, sporting a 3-11 record, and are rumored to be moving on from head coach Bill Belichick in the offseason.
Following that is another home game, this against the 5-9 Chargers. After giving up 63 points to the Raiders on Thursday Night Football, the Chargers fired their head coach and general manager. The Broncos are in a good position to take advantage of a team in turmoil in Los Angeles.
Finally, the season concludes with a trip to Las Vegas to battle the Raiders. Though they are just 6-8, the Raiders showed new life by totally dominating the Chargers this past week. There are still a lot of questions to be answered but they at least look feisty heading down the stretch.
¡2ND TD FOR LAPORTA!#Broncos 7-28 #Lions pic.twitter.com/D4hLfhPFfD
— CRAZY NFL (@CrazyNFL_) December 17, 2023
Will the Broncos Make the Playoffs?
Right now, the odds are clearly not good. Even if the Broncos win out and finish 10-7, they would need a lot of help. With their loss to the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Jacksonville Jaguars now join the mix of potential Wild Card teams.
As it stands, the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Bengals, and Bills all sit a game ahead of the Broncos. The Browns hold the top Wild Card spot at 9-5. The Broncos would need several of those teams to lose, maybe even twice in the final three games.
That is a tall ask even ignoring the fact that the Broncos must run the table. It’s a nice story of perseverance but it looks like the Broncos will fall short of a miracle turnaround from their 1-5 start.
