Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos

As the 2024 NFL regular season enters its final stretch, the Denver Broncos’ playoff push has shifted from a steady march to a full-on sprint—gaining momentum with each dominant win and solidifying their status as one of the AFC’s most feared contenders. After a historic nine-game win streak, the Broncos sit atop the AFC West with an 11-3 record, just one game behind the Baltimore Ravens for the No. 1 seed and holding a comfortable lead over wild-card hopefuls like the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals. This isn’t just a team trying to sneak into the playoffs; it’s a squad with Super Bowl aspirations, and their recent play—marked by clutch performances, balanced football, and unwavering focus—has made it clear they’re ready to compete with the league’s best. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos explores the factors fueling this late-season surge, the key moments that have defined their push, and what lies ahead as they aim to secure a deep postseason run.

A major driver of the Broncos’ accelerating playoff push is their ability to win against tough competition—defeating fellow playoff contenders with a mix of defensive dominance and offensive efficiency that has left no doubt about their legitimacy. In the past six weeks, the Broncos have taken down four teams with winning records: the San Francisco 49ers (10-4), the Buffalo Bills (9-5), the Kansas City Chiefs (9-5), and the Washington Commanders (8-6). Each win showcased a different strength: against the 49ers, their defense held San Francisco’s high-powered offense to just 17 points; against the Bills, they rallied in the fourth quarter behind Russell Wilson’s precision passing; against the Chiefs, they controlled the line of scrimmage with a dominant run game; and against the Commanders, they flashed balance, scoring 31 points while forcing three turnovers. These quality wins have not only improved their record but also strengthened their tiebreaker position—critical if they end up in a battle for the No. 1 seed. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos highlights that beating good teams isn’t just about luck; it’s about executing when the pressure is highest, and the Broncos have proven they can do that time and time again.

The Broncos’ defense—long the backbone of their success—has kicked into another gear during the playoff push, delivering performances that have shut down elite offenses and turned potential losses into comfortable wins. Since Week 10, the Broncos have ranked first in the AFC in points allowed (15.2 per game), first in sacks (18), and first in takeaways (12), with key players stepping up in critical moments. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb has recorded 5 sacks in his last six games, including a game-sealing takedown against the Bills; safety Justin Simmons has intercepted 3 passes during that stretch, all in the red zone; and linebacker Alex Singleton has tallied 65 tackles, including 8 for loss. What’s most impressive is the defense’s consistency—they’ve held opponents to 20 points or fewer in nine straight games, a streak that dates back to Week 6. In the Broncos’ Week 14 win over the Commanders, the defense forced three turnovers and held Washington to just 17 points, even when the offense had a slow start. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos notes that this defensive dominance isn’t just a regular-season fluke; it’s a sign of a unit that’s peaking at the right time—exactly what a team needs for a deep playoff run.

For the Denver Broncos, their offense has complemented the defense perfectly during the playoff push, evolving from a “game-manager” unit to one that can take control of games and score points in bunches when needed. Quarterback Russell Wilson has been a steady force, completing 65% of his passes for 1,200 yards, 9 touchdowns, and just 1 interception in his last six games. He’s embraced the role of a leader, making smart decisions and delivering clutch passes—like his 22-yard touchdown throw to Courtland Sutton in the fourth quarter of the Bills game that gave the Broncos the lead for good. The running game has also been a revelation, with Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine combining for 800 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns during the win streak, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. This balanced attack has made the Broncos’ offense hard to defend: opponents can’t focus on stopping just the run or just the pass, as both are equally dangerous. For the Denver Broncos, this offensive growth has been critical—they no longer have to rely solely on their defense to win games, which gives them more flexibility and confidence heading into the playoffs. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos explores how this offensive evolution has turned the Broncos into a complete team, one that can beat opponents in multiple ways.

The Denver Broncos’ remaining schedule also favors their playoff push, giving them a chance to solidify their standing in the AFC and potentially overtake the Ravens for the No. 1 seed with a strong finish. The Broncos have four games left: against the Las Vegas Raiders (6-8), the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6), the New England Patriots (7-7), and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-5). While the Chargers and Chiefs will be tough tests—both are fighting for playoff spots—the Raiders and Patriots are struggling, giving the Broncos an opportunity to pick up easy wins and rest key players if needed. The Week 16 matchup against the Chargers is particularly important, as a win would eliminate Los Angeles from the playoff race and give the Broncos a critical tiebreaker over a potential wild-card opponent. The season finale against the Chiefs is even bigger: a win would give the Broncos a sweep of the Chiefs and likely secure the AFC West title outright, while also boosting their chances of earning the No. 1 seed. For the Denver Broncos, this schedule is a gift—they control their own destiny, and a strong finish could see them hosting playoff games all the way to the Super Bowl. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos emphasizes that while the schedule isn’t easy, it’s manageable for a team playing as well as the Broncos are right now.

Finally, the Denver Broncos’ team culture and mental toughness have been key to their accelerating playoff push, as they’ve avoided complacency and stayed focused on the task at hand—even after winning nine straight games. Head coach Sean Payton has been instrumental in fostering this mindset, emphasizing “one game at a time” and avoiding talk of playoffs or seeds until the team has secured a spot. He’s also kept practices intense, making sure players don’t let their success go to their heads. The veterans on the team—like Wilson, Chubb, and Simmons—have echoed this sentiment, leading by example and reminding younger players to stay humble. This mental toughness was on full display in the Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, a game the Broncos were expected to win easily. Instead of taking it easy, they played with the same intensity as a playoff game, securing a 34-17 victory and avoiding a letdown. For the Denver Broncos, this focus and discipline are what separate them from other teams that fade down the stretch. Playoff Push Gains Steam for the Denver Broncos concludes that as the regular season winds down, the Broncos have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run: a dominant defense, a balanced offense, a favorable schedule, and the mental toughness to win when it matters most. If they keep playing like this, there’s no reason they can’t be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February.