No. 2 – Denver Broncos
Gary Kubiak knows who his quarterback will be for the Divisional round game on January 17 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. He just hasn’t informed the public.
Make no doubt though, Kubiak is already game-planning with either Brock Osweiler or Peyton Manning. While the rest of the team enjoys some much-needed time to get healthy, Kubiak and his QB have to figure out how to fix the offense.
The Broncos have key defensive starters nursing injuries, including Darian Stewart, Chris Harris and DeMarcus Ware, but defense hasn’t really been the question for Denver this year. The league’s No. 1 defense in sacks, yards allowed and passing yards allowed (they’re also third against the run), has found a way to stop opponents all year despite injuries and suspensions.
The problem for Denver has been putting points on the board and holding on to the ball. Denver did not score in the second half of three consecutive games late in the season. They rank 19th in the league in scoring, last among playoff teams not named the Texans.
They are the only team in the playoffs with a negative plus/minus turnover margin, swung from break even to a minus-4 in the season finale against the Chargers, who finished the year 4-12.
Still, the Broncos are finding a way to win. Only three of their 12 victories are by more than six points and they have needed overtime to win on three occasions. It hasn’t been pretty, but the Broncos will enjoy home-field advantage for as long as they can keep scratching out victories.
The question is whether or not they can keep finding ways to win as the pressure mounts. The best news for Broncos fans is that Denver is 4-0 in prime time games against playoff opponents this year. When the brightest lights are shining, Denver finds a way to win.
