The Denver Broncos had a chance to finally end their postseason drought on Thursday night, all they had to do was beat the Los Angeles Chargers.
The team’s 34-27 loss kept the door open for the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. The Broncos will play the Bengals in Week 17 in what could be a huge game in the AFC playoff race.
The Broncos still hold most of the cards. If they can win one of their last two games, they will be in the playoffs. But those games are on the road against the Bengals and then the season finale against the currently 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos are going to need Sean Payton to put together solid game plans and make good calls on offense in these two games. Bo Nix is going to have to continue his above-average rookie season and the defense is going to need to make timely plays. Those things need to happen for the Broncos to win in pretty much any game.
But to hold off the charge from the three teams behind them, the Broncos are going to need some of their supporting cast to step up. These four players could be instrumental in the last two games of the season which hopefully, leads to the team ending its streak of missing the playoffs.
Denver Broncos need big efforts from these players to help clinch a playoff berth
Riley Moss, Cornerback
Riley Moss has now missed the Broncos’ last three games. His loss has been a glaring one, though rookie Kris Abrams-Draine has been great the last two games. Still, the return of Moss is needed for this defense, particularly with the pass-happy Bengals next on the docket.
The Broncos need to figure out why when Riley Moss doesn’t play they have so many blown coverages
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 20, 2024
The Broncos will need to hope that Moss will be ready to return in Week 17. Hopefully, the extra rest after playing Thursday night will allow him to get back on the field.
Jonathon Cooper, Edge
The Broncos have gotten great effort out of Nik Bonitto nearly every week so if they can count on that, Jonathon Cooper stepping up and making some big plays on defense is the kind of thing that can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Audric Estime, Running Back
The Broncos had the run game working in the first half against the Chargers, it’s a real wonder why they went away from it so much in the second half.
But in order for the Broncos to get into the playoffs (and do any damage once there), an effective running game is necessary. That is not likely to happen with Javonte Williams, who continues to struggle and post pedestrian numbers. But the rookie, Audric Estime, has been able to make some things happen with the limited opportunities he’s been given this season.
Payton historically does not like to rely too heavily on rookies, but he needs to make an exception here.
Marvin Mims Jr., Wide Receiver
You see it every game, the Broncos are making a concerted effort to get the ball in the hands of Marvin Mims and when they do, good things often happen.
Mims is already a difference-maker in the return game, but if he can see a few more targets in the passing game and have a gadget play or two drawn up that takes advantage of his unique abilities, the Broncos could find themselves in the postseason for the first time since 2015.
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