The Denver Broncos are on the verge of ending their playoff drought, which has lasted since their Super Bowl 50 victory following the 2015 season. A win against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) on Thursday night would secure the Broncos’ (9-5) first playoff berth in seven years.
This potential victory would also mark the Broncos’ first five-game winning streak since their Super Bowl win over the Carolina Panthers, where they triumphed 24-10 for the franchise’s third title.
Safety Brandon Jones, who joined the team in March, expressed his excitement about the possibility of reaching the playoffs in his first year with the Broncos. “Punching our ticket to the playoffs would be absolutely amazing,” he said. “I’m just super happy and grateful for this opportunity. We’ve put in the work, and we have a bond that goes beyond the field.”
While Jones and other teammates are eager about the playoff prospects, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate challenge. “We’ve got a big game Thursday, and there’s so much more ahead of us,” he said. However, Sutton is optimistic, noting that the Broncos have a better than 90% chance of making the playoffs and control their own destiny. “It’s nice to be in a position where we can take care of what we need to do without relying on other teams,” he added.
Following the Chargers game, the Broncos will face the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) in another prime-time matchup on December 28, before concluding the season at home against the Kansas City Chiefs (13-1), who have dominated the AFC West for nine consecutive years.
The Broncos recently snapped a lengthy skid with a decisive 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, marking their first winning season since 2016, when they finished 9-7 under Gary Kubiak. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who joined the team last year, acknowledged the significance of the winning season but stressed the ultimate goal: “It’s really about getting into the dance, and we have a chance to do that in these next few weeks.”
Pass rusher Jonathon Cooper reflected on the team’s turnaround, expressing hope for the fans: “It’s been tough here for a while, so it’s great to see things turning around. Shout-out to Broncos Country.”
Tight end Nate Adkins, who scored a touchdown last week, viewed the win over the Colts as crucial for the playoff race, giving the Broncos a two-game lead and the tiebreaker against them in the AFC wild-card chase. “We’re looking to catch teams and get the best seed possible,” he said, shifting focus to the upcoming game against the Chargers.
The Broncos and Chargers recently swapped playoff positions, with Denver moving up to sixth place while the Chargers fell to seventh after their loss to Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) currently hold the fifth spot.
As the team prepares for the crucial matchup, left tackle Garett Bolles, the longest-tenured Bronco, shared his aspirations for the playoffs. “It means the world to me. To get back to where we belong and give our amazing fans a chance to cheer for us deep in the playoffs would be awesome,” he said. “We just need to focus on one game at a time, starting with this week.”
Related topics
- Can You Knock the Ball out of Hand in Rugby
- Can You Kick the Ball Anytime in Rugby
- Can You Bring a Baby to a Rugby Game
