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NFL: Projecting The Final Playoff Field

By Evan Massey

Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greet in the middle of the field after the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) leads the huddle during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) leads the huddle during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos, AFC 2nd Seed

Peyton Manning once again has his team poised to make a run at a Super Bowl, but he has to get the monkey off of his back first. He has received a lot of heat from fans and media members about his inability to win consistently in the playoffs, but the Denver Broncos have an incredibly talented team around him. They are sitting at 11-3 right now, but have games against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road and Oakland Raiders at home left.

Denver will beat the Raiders at home without a problem, but the game against the Bengals is going to be extremely tough. We’re going to mark that as a loss with the Bengals being a quality playoff team as well, and the Broncos would then finish the season at 12-4. Due to the fact that they defeated the Indianapolis Colts early on in the season, they would still be the second seed in the AFC.

The additions that the Broncos made defensively this past offseason have been inconsistent, but they certainly give them a better chance to defeat the top teams in the league. Aqib Talib was expected to make more of a difference than he has this season, while T.J. Ward has made some plays but not quite as many as they expected either. DeMarcus Ware on the other hand has racked up 10.0 sacks. Manning has another chance to prove that he can win in the playoffs, and he has to take advantage of that chance this year.

Next: Indianapolis Colts, AFC 3rd Seed

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