Let’s just go ahead and turn the page on the past nine years.
For the last 9-years, the Broncos have turned in sub-par, lackluster seasons. With only one winning season and no playoff appearances, the NFL and its fans know exactly who the Denver Broncos are – an irrelevant AFC West also-ran.
With the Broncos win over the Colts on December 15, the Denver Broncos found themselves in position to control their own destiny in the playoff race. With two games to go in the regular season, there aren’t many opportunities left to punch that ticket.
On Saturday, the Broncos play the Cincinnati Bengals in what is shaping up to be the most important game of the regular season. If Denver wins, they’re in. If they lose, everything comes down to that final regular season game at home against the Chiefs.
Will the Broncos go deep into the playoffs? Probably not. Were the playoffs expected as a necessary engagement for this season? Many of us considered the playoffs a gravy scenario. At some point this season, just wanting to see competent play and sustained growth at the quarterback position gave way to the reality that the Broncos could actually play a little mid-January football.
The week 16 slate of games did no favors for the Broncos with regard to their playoff journey. That’s fitting. If Denver wants to show the NFL that the last 9 years were an aberration, the Broncos need to storm the gates at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati and make a statement. It’s one thing to control your own destiny. It’s another to actually do something with it.
HEADLINES
The Broncos didn’t get any help in their playoff quest
The Broncos won’t back into the playoffs — at least not this week — after results went against them early Sunday.
Next-Day Notebook: Broncos maintain sense of urgency as they turn page to Week 17 game vs. Bengals
Plus, Head Coach Sean Payton reflects on the impact cornerback Riley Moss has made this season.
Broncos HC Sean Payton hopes CB Riley Moss can play vs. Bengals
Broncos coach Sean Payton said he hopes starting cornerback Riley Moss, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, can play on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. “The sooner the better that we can get him back in the lineup. Hopefully, it’s this weekend,” Payton said in a conference call with reporters on Sunday. Moss has been sidelined since he sustained an MCL injury in a …
Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos Race To Dethrone Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes | wkyc.com
The Broncos are scoring like they haven’t in 10 years
But the Broncos are also giving up points at a high clip, too, and that raises concerns for the final two weeks of the season.
Broncos must commit to the run, find rhythm in playoff race – ESPN
The Broncos rushed seven times on their first drive against the Chargers, then deviated away from the run … again. Will Denver commit to the ground game?
Jonathan Taylor: I predetermined that I’d take next TD all the way up the tunnel – NBC Sports
After Colts running back Jonathan Taylor let go of the football short of the end zone for a turnover in the team’s Week 15 loss to the Broncos, he said he would never let that happen again and he displayed his commitment in the second quarter of Sunday’s game.
RedZone Channel removes “commercial-free” from its catchphrase – NBC Sports
RedZone Channel has, for years, been a refuge from commercials for NFL fans: A channel to turn on as soon as the Sunday games kick off and leave on until the last Sunday afternoon game ends, without hearing anything but football.
Seahawks benched Riq Woolen for opening drive due to violation of team rule – NBC Sports
For the opening drive of Sunday’s eventual loss to the Vikings, Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen wasn’t on the field.
Brock Bowers, Malik Nabers both closing in on Puka Nacua’s rookie receiving record – NBC Sports
Last year, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua caught 105 passes, setting a new NFL record for receptions by a rookie.
Giants disaster: Two-time Super Bowl champion says ‘everyone must go’ in New York after 10th straight loss – CBSSports.com
New York dropped to 2-13 on the season
Saquon Barkley chasing Eric Dickerson: Is Eagles RB on pace for single-season rushing record? – CBSSports.com
Barkley is on pace for 2,083 rushing yards this season
Justin Jefferson: 2024 Vikings squad has that 2019 LSU championship team ‘vibe’
Justin Jefferson experienced a championship run with the LSU Tigers in 2019. The star Vikings receiver sees parallels with that legendary club and Minnesota’s run this year.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris on Michael Penix Jr.’s first start: ‘He went out and played almost flawless football’
Michael Penix Jr. earned a blowout win in his first career start as two pick-sixes from the Atlanta Falcons defense and steady play from the rookie quarterback led to a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants, as head coach Raheem Morris described the outin
Lions break out crazy trick-play TD in win over Bears: ‘It worked like a charm’
The Detroit Lions were back to their winning ways on Sunday, highlighted by one of the crazier trick-play TDs seen this year in the NFL.
NFL playoff picture: Six season-altering outcomes from Week 16’s Sunday games
Judy Battista identifies the most consequential outcomes from Week 16’s wild Sunday games, including a Bengals win that sets up a big matchup next week in the AFC wild-card race.
Saints-Packers on ESPN, NFL+: Four things to watch for on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 16
NFL.com’s Christian Gonzales breaks down four things to watch for when the Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Jalen Hurts suffers concussion as Eagles’ win streak ends at 10 – ESPN
Eagles QBs Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett both suffered injuries in a “sloppy” loss to the Commanders that damaged their chances of getting the NFC’s top seed.
Eliminated Dallas Cowboys hold off Tampa Bay Buccaneers – ESPN
Eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the day, the Dallas Cowboys held off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 Sunday, notching a fourth victory in the past five games, prompting owner and general manager Jerry Jones to say “I’m real proud of them.”
Tyreek Hill blames drops on lack of reps with Tua Tagovailoa – ESPN
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill had three key drops in Sunday’s win over the 49ers, something he attributed to a lack of reps this year with QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Colts’ Jonathan Taylor atones for fumble with 218-yard day – ESPN
Jonathan Taylor made up for a costly gaffe last game by exploding for 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a dominant win over the Colts.
Jayden Daniels throws for 5 TDs in Commanders’ win vs. Eagles – ESPN
Washington’s Jayden Daniels threw five touchdown passes and engineered another game-winning drive Sunday against the Eagles as the Commanders inched closer to a playoff berth Sunday.
Buy/sell 19 NFL teams still in playoff hunt: Which contenders are legit? Who’s suspect?
In this edition of The First Read, Jeffri Chadiha assesses potential postseason success of 19 playoff contenders with two weeks to go in the regular season. Plus, updated NFL MVP rankings and the most intriguing matchup of Week 17.
2024 NFL season, Week 16: What We Learned from Sunday’s games
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday’s action in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season.
Raiders want Tom Brady to have a ‘huge voice’ in their future; his broadcasting duties might complicate that – CBSSports.com
Las Vegas could be looking for a new head coach this offseason
Kenny Pickett injury: Eagles backup QB undergoes X-rays on ribs after replacing Jalen Hurts vs. Commanders – CBSSports.com
Philadelphia may need some added insurance
Commanders vs. Eagles takeaways: Jayden Daniels’ last-second TD pass keeps Philadelphia from winning NFC East – CBSSports.com
A bad day all around for the Eagles, who also lost Jalen Hurts to a concussion
Cowboys, 49ers among NFC teams eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 – CBSSports.com
Two of the NFL’s bedrock franchise’s won’t be in the playoffs this year
Jalen Hurts injury update: Eagles QB suffers concussion, replaced by Kenny Pickett in loss to Commanders – CBSSports.com
Hurts left in the first quarter
Cowboys’ Micah Parsons becomes sixth player with at least 50 sacks in first four seasons, joins club of HOFers – CBSSports.com
Parsons is in elite company with 50 sacks in his first four seasons
Bengals can still make NFL playoffs if this crazy scenario plays out over final two weeks of 2024 season – CBSSports.com
You read that right: The Cincinnati Bengals could still make the playoffs
Eagles’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson ejected: NFL official gives explanation for disqualifying safety vs. Commanders – CBSSports.com
Gardner-Johnson had two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Commanders