Broncos have the second-toughest remaining schedule. Bengals have the hardest. These two groups meet Sunday in Denver.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After matching its longest playoff drought of the previous 50 years, the Denver Broncos haven’t precisely sailed into rivalry this yr.
Not that they wanted to in a yr when most groups are dog-paddling.
However right here the Broncos are, among the many 5 AFC groups with a 7-6 document and battling for the ultimate two playoff spots with 4 video games to go.
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“I really feel like that is the primary true time we’ve been within the combine since I’ve been right here,’’ outdoors linebacker Bradley Chubb, a first-round draft decide in 2018, stated Monday. “I really feel like everybody within the locker room feels that very same manner. We’re just about going to have a four-game playoff run earlier than the playoffs. We all know each sport counts.’’
Two of these 7-6 groups meet Sunday at Empower Area at Mile Excessive, the place the up-and-down Broncos meet the equally inconsistent Cincinnati Bengals.
“It’s an enormous sport, there’s no denying that, for them and for us,’’ stated Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. “And our entire focus will probably be to win this sport.’’
It’s large within the sense the loser will immediately drop to playoff longshot. The Bengals have the hardest remaining schedule among the many 5 groups at 7-6 whereas the Broncos have the second-most troublesome remaining schedule. So even the winner can have work to do to get in. However the sport’s loser will probably be in deep trouble.
Remaining schedules for the AFC groups within the playoff hunt:
4 opponents: 27-24 (Playing cards play thirteenth sport tonight)
There are deceptive elements to the power of schedule element. The Ravens, whom the Bengals play the next week, are 8-5 however how robust will they be if injured quarterback Lamar Jackson can’t play or his expertise is working talent is considerably diminished?
The Colts have a comparatively straightforward remaining schedule based mostly on total document however one opponent, the 2-11 Jaguars, drag that quantity down whereas Indianapolis’ subsequent two opponents, New England and Arizona, are as powerful because it will get.
And say the Chiefs win their subsequent three video games, clinch the No. 1 seed and don’t play Patrick Mahomes II, Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce in sport 17 at Empower Area? The Broncos can dream can’t they?
That’s simply it. On the very least, the Broncos can nonetheless dream and right here it’s mid-December.
“I believe it’s good for us, the group, the gamers,’’ Fangio stated. “It’s good for our followers. I believe it’s good for you guys to cowl one thing with just a little extra pop to it. However we’ve received to be one sport at a time.’’
The Broncos have missed the postseason the earlier 5 seasons, a skid they’ve solely matched as soon as earlier than up to now half-century – from 2006-10, the years earlier than Tebow and Manning. Miss the playoffs once more and the Broncos can have their longest postseason drought since earlier than their Orange Crush years. It’s an absence that seemingly has the Broncos hungry to fill.
“It feels completely different,’’ Chubb stated. “Guys coming in at 10 o’clock, the primary elevate possibility we’ve received. Attempting to get it in, watch the movie. We had Victory Monday however we beat the Lions, now we’ve received to do it once more to the Bengals. All people’s been locked in. It’s been enjoyable to see. The locker room yesterday was ecstatic however all of us knew we needed to get proper again to work.”
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