The Denver Broncos haven’t been officially eliminated from playoff contention yet but with a 3-7 record, their chances of reaching the postseason are slim. Denver could have been in playoff position — and leading the AFC West — if four plays had gone its way this season.
In Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, the Broncos lost 16-14 on a last-second field goal. Had that field goal been unsuccessful, Denver would have started the year 1-1. A few plays before the field goal attempt, Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb was incorrectly penalized for roughing the passer.
In Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver lost 26-24 on a late field goal. Had that attempt been unsuccessful, the Broncos could have started the year 2-2. Denver outside linebacker Von Miller was questionably penalized for roughing the passer on Jacksonville’s game-winning drive.
In Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos lost 15-13 on yet another late field goal. Had those three late-game kicks been unsuccessful, Denver could have started the year 5-3.
In Week 11, the Broncos were in position to take a 30-27 lead over the Minnesota Vikings on the road but quarterback Brandon Allen was unable to connect with tight end Noah Fant in the end zone on the final play of the game. Denver lost 27-23. Had Fant caught that pass and had those three kicks mentioned earlier gone wide, the Broncos could have started the year 7-3.
Pointing out those four plays is not meant as an excuse for Denver’s poor start this year — every team can point to plays that could have helped their record. But if those four plays had gone the Broncos’ way, some fans might feel differently about the state of the franchise.
“I think we’re close,” coach Vic Fangio said after Sunday’s loss. “But we haven’t gotten over the top well enough yet. We did in our previous game with the stop and then the ensuing first down to close it, but this game, we didn’t get it done. We’ll eventually get it done.
“These guys are good guys. They’re working their butts off. They enjoy coming to work. They like playing. We’ll just keep grinding and keep
pounding, and eventually we’ll get through.”
Denver isn’t an awful team. If the Broncos make a few improvements and if footballs start bouncing their way (and kicks go their way), the team will be back in playoff contention, perhaps as early as the 2020 season.
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