Englewood, Colorado — The Denver Broncos are on the verge of securing their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl 50 victory following the 2015 season. This marks an ongoing playoff drought since their championship, the longest for any team in this position, but they have a chance to change that with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) on Thursday night.
A victory would not only clinch a playoff spot but also grant the Broncos (9-5) their first five-game winning streak since they overcame the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in the aforementioned Super Bowl, which was their third championship title.
Safety Brandon Jones, who joined the team during free agency in March, shared his excitement about potentially making it to the playoffs. “This would be absolutely amazing, especially since it’s my first year here. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I love every guy on this team. We’ve put in the effort, and our bond transcends the field. It’s wonderful to finally show that off,” he expressed.
While many players are optimistic about the upcoming playoff hopes, veteran receiver Courtland Sutton prefers to stay grounded. “No, not at all. We have a significant game this Thursday, a chance to move closer to our ultimate goal. There’s still a lot ahead of us,” he remarked on Tuesday.
Sutton, however, is pleased to note that the Broncos, holding over a 90% chance of making the playoffs, can control their own fate. “It feels good to know if we take care of our responsibilities, we aren’t relying on six other teams to lose,” Sutton said. “It’s empowering to dictate our own destiny, but we must focus on finishing strong this season.”
Following the Chargers game, the Broncos will face the Bengals (6-8) in a prime-time matchup in Cincinnati on December 28, followed by their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs (13-1), who have dominated the AFC West for nine consecutive years.
The Broncos recently broke a long losing streak 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 Broncos last season as a free agent, acknowledged the significance of this turning point. “I didn’t even realize that we couldn’t fall below .500 anymore. It’s more about making it to the playoffs, and we have the chance to do that in these next weeks,” he stated.
Pass rusher Jonathon Cooper also reflected on the team’s revival, expressing gratitude for the support from the fans. “It’s been a tough road here for a while, so turning things around is certainly exciting for Broncos Country,” he added.
Tight end Nate Adkins, who scored a touchdown in the recent game, highlighted the importance of their win, noting that it provided them a two-game lead over the Colts and a tiebreaker advantage in the AFC wild-card race. “This was a team hot on our heels. But now we’re focused on catching teams ahead of us and positioning for the best seed possible, starting with the Chargers,” Adkins said.
The standings saw a shift last weekend with the Broncos moving to the sixth playoff position, while the Chargers slipped to the seventh spot after their defeat to Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Baltimore (9-5), which previously defeated the Broncos, currently resides in fifth place.
While Sutton remains cautious about his expectations, left tackle Garett Bolles, the most tenured Bronco, is already envisioning what a playoff run would mean. “It would mean everything to me; I’ve never experienced it before with this team. Bringing the chance for our incredible fans to cheer for us deep in the playoffs would be an amazing feeling,” Bolles shared. “However, we must keep our focus on one game at a time, and we have a crucial matchup coming up this week.”