The Denver Broncos’ 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13 was frustrating and disappointing, but it didn’t sink the team’s season.
The Broncos are now in last place in the AFC West, but they are still alive in the Wild Card race. At 6-6, Denver wouldn’t make the playoffs if the season ended today, but they’re right in the mix with the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1), Indianapolis Colts (7-6), Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) and Cleveland Browns (6-6).
Those teams are competing with the Broncos for the chance to jump the Cincinnati Bengals (7-5), Los Angeles Chargers (7-5) or Buffalo Bills (7-4) for one of the three Wild Card spots in the AFC.
“We just have to rebound and … get back on track,” coach Vic Fangio said Sunday evening. “We are still in the hunt and we can take care of business.”
The Broncos have a winnable upcoming home game this week against the lowly Lions, followed by a home game against Cincinnati that could have big playoff implications. If Denver manages to win those games, the team would be 8-6 and likely knocking on the postseason door.
“There’s a lot of season left and a lot of games to be played,” cornerback Pat Surtain said Sunday. “We’re going to keep on playing and keep on fighting and do what we got to do. Correct things in the film room, like we always do and just bounce back.”
The margin of error is getting slim, and the Broncos might have to win out to make the playoffs, which is unlikely — but possible.
“Kareem Jackson said it best in the locker room, that we have five games left and each one is a playoff game for us,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said after the loss in KC. “All we want to do is focus on one day at a time, one week at a time, one opponent at a time.”
The results of other team’s games could help Denver, but the Broncos need to remain focused on themselves and take care of their own business. Denver’s chances of making the playoffs are slim, but they’re not dead yet.
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