Broncos: The one absurd scenario where Denver makes the playoffs
Yes, the Denver Broncos are still in the playoff hunt.
Believe it or not, the Denver Broncos‘ season is far from over. While the team has seen their up and down moments all year, Drew Lock‘s 280-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers helped the team pick up and 32-27 victory.
At 5-8, all things seem like the team should prep for the 2021 season. Not true since there’s still a shot for Denver to make the postseason in January if things swing in their favor. It all starts Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills, but this could be a storyline to follow all the way through Week 17.
In one wild and wacky scenario, the Broncos have a chance to represent the AFC as the first seventh-seed in league history. All they must do is win against the Bills, then pick up victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
If all that happens, the Broncos need the Miami Dolphins to lose their final three games while also seeing the Baltimore Ravens go 0-3 down the stretch. If the Patriots were to go 1-1 or worse, that would be just fine as well.
DEN's only path to the playoffs:
— NFLPlayoffScenarios (@NFLScenarios) December 18, 2020
1) DEN wins out
2) MIA loses out
3) BAL loses out
4) NE goes 1-1 (or worse) in their final 2 games.
DEN has common games on LV, NE has sweep of MIA, BAL drops out of BAL/DEN/NE on conference record, DEN wins the 7 seed over NE on head-to-head. https://t.co/OwU2zKdZA9
Not that hard, right?
Denver’s season could be a lesson for Lock and Co.
Lock, who finished his rookie season going 4-1 as the team’s starter, immensely regressed in Year 2 under Vic Fangio. After missing several games with an AC joint injury, the former Mizzou standout has been average at best, throwing a costly 13 interceptions against 13 touchdowns as the season winds down.
His QBR rating of 49.5 also ranks 28th among active quarterbacks.
Lock’s troubles are not the only fault of Denver entering the home stretch. The team’s top three cornerbacks all suffered season-ending injuries near days after another while Bryce Callahan returned to injured reserve. The offensive line also has been injured plagued for most of the season.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1338225232860114947
In a world where fans hope for immediate results, the pressure is on Lock to close out the year strong. Instead, one look at the team Denver plays Saturday could be proof Lock deserves a little more time.
Josh Allen struggled to prove he was the franchise guy for the Bills despite leading the team to the postseason in 2019. At 10-3, Buffalo is certain they have found their franchise quarterback of the future.
Maybe the same should happen with Lock? Only the closing weeks will tell, but a playoff appearance is helpful to any quarterback’s resume.
dark. Next. Michael Thomas out for remainder of regular season, could return for playoffs