Broncos win fourth straight – genuine playoff contenders?
Sean Payton has overseen a revolution in Denver in recent weeks. The Broncos and Russell Wilson have gone from no hope at all to a force to be reckoned with, having beaten the in-form Minnesota Vikings in Week 11.
Down 20-15 with just over a minute remaining, Wilson found receiver Courtland Sutton in the endzone to take a 21-20 lead, before the defense stepped up and halted the progress of Josh Dobbs and co.
It was the defensive side of the team that made the difference once again for the Broncos, forcing three turnovers, giving the team 12 in their last three games. If you are looking for the biggest reason Denver has climbed all the way out of a 1-5 hole to get back to .500, look no further.
Of course, this unit is not perfect. They gave up 85 rushing yards in the first half alone Sunday. But compared to where they were at the start of the season, and their ability to make game-changing plays in the big moments, defense is an area where the team has massively improved.
Offensively, we’re seen Russell Wilson improve in year two in Denver, and his connection partnership with Courtland Sutton has really proved to be a difference maker.
Sutton’s score was his eighth so far this season, and all of which have come inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. No duo has connected more frequently in the red zone this season, and the winning play was another example of the chemistry that the two have developed.
On a personal note, Wilson now has 31 career regular-season fourth-quarter comebacks after this one against Minnesota. It ties John Elway for the ninth-most fourth-quarter comebacks since 1950.
Moving forward, the Broncos will now be eyeing a potential late charge to the playoffs in 2023. Their schedule is fairly smooth, starting with the visit of a QB-hit Cleveland Browns, who looked unconvincing in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. If they can beat them and their remaining divisional games alone, suddenly Denver have nine wins on the season.
Not many would have predicted this at the start of October, but the Broncos are certainly looking like a team to beat.
