When the 2024 NFL season started, the playoffs have been not likely on the radar for the Denver Broncos.
However expectations can change throughout a season.
That must be the case for the Broncos, given the speedy growth of rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the way in which the crew jumped out to a 9-5 begin and solidly positioned itself within the AFC playoff image. All they needed to do was win one in every of their closing three video games to safe their first playoff berth for the reason that 2015 season.
As they enter Week 18 of the season this Sunday in opposition to division rival Kansas Metropolis, they nonetheless want that one win after dropping the previous two video games to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals.
In the event that they fail to get it, they’ll have no person in charge however themselves. Particularly given the way in which they’ve put themselves on this place.
It began with them blowing a double-digit second-half lead on the Chargers.
It continued every week later after they had a number of possibilities to clinch a playoff spot in Cincinnati and did not reap the benefits of them. It was a clinic in teaching malpractice by Sean Payton as he elected to not go for a two-point conversion with 10 seconds to play within the fourth quarter and had some inexplicable clock management in overtime when a tie would have nonetheless put them within the playoffs.
Now, in Week 18, they’re getting one other prime alternative to win.
Whereas the Chiefs would usually be an awfully tough opponent at 15-1, they’ve completely nothing to play for this week as they’ve already secured the No. 1 seed within the AFC and all the pieces that comes with that (bye week and home-field benefit all through the playoffs).
Because of this, they’re sitting virtually each key starter they’ll for the sport.
