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The Denver Broncos despatched a loud message to their doubters Sunday.
The dreaded Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes got here to city, and the Broncos pushed apart any notion they weren’t for actual by beating the Chiefs 22-19 on a last-second subject aim.
That win ups Denver’s report to a division-leading 9-2, provides it the highest seed proper now, and nearly actually ends the Chiefs’ probabilities of successful the AFC West. Denver has ripped off eight straight victories, seven of these being one-score video games.
Due to a nasty protection, one which leads the league in sacks with 49, and well timed fourth-quarter play by Bo Nix and the offense, the Broncos have staked a declare as one of many league’s finest groups.
In his third season with the Broncos, coach Sean Payton has Denver as an actual Tremendous Bowl risk. The offense could also be inconsistent at occasions, however that protection is particular.
And we all know the previous adage: Protection travels within the postseason — and this one may not must hit the street till the Tremendous Bowl if it will get the highest seed within the AFC.
The Broncos’ two losses got here on subject targets within the closing seconds early within the season. Turning that round and successful shut video games is a good way to arrange for the postseason. They’re battle-tested.
The Broncos at the moment are as much as fifth in my Energy Rankings this week as they head into the bye. After the bye, their schedule has street video games towards the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders, then house video games towards Inexperienced Bay and Jacksonville earlier than ending up at Kansas Metropolis and residential towards the Chargers. The final 4 will determine if they’re the highest seed within the AFC.
We all know Nix has been inconsistent at occasions and the operating sport must be higher, however Payton has this crew believing within the fourth quarter that they will win video games, even when behind. That, coupled with the dominant protection, will make them a risk come playoff time to win all of it.
They’ve performed the final three video games with out reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months cornerback Patrick Surtain II. He’s anticipated again after the bye, which is able to make them even higher.
If you happen to did not consider on this crew earlier than Sunday, you must now. Slowing Patrick Mahomes and beating the Chiefs on Sunday is proof of that.
Greatest Movers
Rk | Groups | Chg | Rcrd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 
| The protection got here up huge within the victory over the Seahawks. The secondary was excellent. For now, they’re the very best within the NFC. | 1 | 8-2-0 |
2 | 
| They simply carry on successful. Smooth schedule or not, they’ve the look of a crew headed for the highest seed within the convention. | 1 | 9-2-0 |
3 | 
| The offense nonetheless is not nice, however they’re successful video games. The protection has actually stepped up the previous two weeks. | 1 | 8-2-0 |
4 | 
| They arrive off their bye with an enormous sport at Kansas Metropolis towards a determined Chiefs crew. That shall be an enormous problem for this group. | 1 | 8-2-0 |
5 |
| The fourth-quarter magic is actual. They’ve a real shot to be the highest seed within the AFC. | 4 | 9-2-0 |
6 | 
| They set Josh Allen free towards the Bucs. That is the correct technique to play contemplating the protection is so unhealthy towards the run. | 2 | 7-3-0 |
7 | 
| Was {that a} one-game aberration for this model of Sam Darnold towards the Rams? Or is it one thing to fret about? | 6 | 7-3-0 |
8 | 
| Successful ugly on the street towards unhealthy groups is OK once you’ve misplaced to the Browns and the Panthers earlier this yr. However in some unspecified time in the future this crew has to play higher. | 3 | 6-3-1 |
9 | 
| Two straight losses have this crew in a little bit of a free fall as they head to Los Angeles to play the Rams on Sunday night time. Baker Mayfield has to get it again going once more. | 3 | 6-4-0 |
10 | 
| The offense did not do sufficient within the loss to the Eagles. At 6-4, they need to get it going. Another factor: It is OK to kick subject targets infrequently. | 3 | 6-4-0 |
11 | 
| At 7-3, they lead the division. Ben Johnson has finished a formidable job in his first yr. However now the schedule toughens up. | 2 | 7-3-0 |
12 | 
| It wasn’t fairly at Cleveland, however they discovered a manner. They need to be higher on offense going ahead. | 2 | 5-5-0 |
13 | 
| Coach Liam Coen deserves a variety of credit score for main his crew to a blowout of the Chargers after the devastating loss to the Texans. This crew could be within the playoffs in the event that they began proper now. | 6 | 6-4-0 |
14 | 
| The division title might be out of their attain, so it is time to deal with successful video games and entering into the playoffs. Proper now, they’d be out. | 4 | 5-5-0 |
15 | 
| Getting Brock Purdy again is huge for this crew. Kyle Shanahan has finished a tremendous job with this group. | 1 | 7-4-0 |
16 | 
| What the heck occurred in Jacksonville? They head to their bye with a variety of questions. They need to get the offensive line found out. | 4 | 7-4-0 |
17 | 
| The Aaron Rodgers damaged wrist might wreck their probabilities of successful the division. Then once more, the Ravens are coming. | — | 6-4-0 |
18 | 
| They’ve received two straight with out C.J. Stroud, which retains them alive within the playoff chase. The protection is particular. | — | 5-5-0 |
19 | 
| Give Bryce Younger credit score. He got here up huge within the victory over the Falcons. They’re one sport behind the Bucs heading into an enormous street sport at San Francisco. | 1 | 6-5-0 |
20 | 
| Dak Prescott was on hearth within the victory over the Raiders to maintain their slim playoff hopes alive. The protection additionally seemed significantly better with Quinnen Williams taking part in for the primary time. Now right here come the Eagles this week. | 5 | 4-5-1 |
21 | 
| J.J. McCarthy is not ok proper now, and it is why they in all probability will not make the playoffs. It is exhausting to consider they received 14 video games final yr, however that was with Sam Darnold. | 6 | 4-6-0 |
22 | 
| The preseason optimism has pale as they’ve misplaced seven of their final eight. Now they’ve to start out serious about the long run. | — | 3-7-0 |
23 | 
| The Dolphins have received two straight, and it could be the beginning of saving Mike McDaniel’s job. The schedule is not daunting after their bye both. | 5 | 4-7-0 |
24 | 
| They’re going within the incorrect path, and now it appears like Michael Penix Jr. is gone for the season. This has been an epic failure for a crew with huge expectations going into the yr. | 3 | 3-7-0 |
25 | 
| There may be some discuss that coach Pete Carroll may very well be in bother. I do not purchase it, even when they’re struggling in an enormous manner. | 1 | 2-8-0 |
26 | 
| Their season is completed. The protection is not good, and with out Jayden Daniels they cannot overcome it. It is exhausting to consider this group was within the NFC Championship Recreation final yr. | 3 | 3-8-0 |
27 | 
| So firing the coach actually did not matter. They nonetheless aren’t successful video games. On to 2026. | 1 | 2-9-0 |
28 | 
| Why hassle bringing Joe Burrow again? They’re finished. Simply play out the season and reboot subsequent yr. | 1 | 3-7-0 |
29 | 
| The remainder of this season must be about Tyler Shough’s development. They’ve to search out out if he is their man. | — | 2-8-0 |
30 | 
| They have been again to being the Jets within the loss to the Patriots. Hope they’re spending a variety of time scouting quarterbacks. | — | 2-8-0 |
31 | 
| It is a disgrace this crew is not good as a result of Myles Garrett places on a present each week. The quarterback scenario is unhealthy. | — | 2-8-0 |
32 | 
| The offense simply does not do sufficient. And now receiver Calvin Ridley is misplaced for the season. Ouch. | — | 1-9-0 |
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