Denver Broncos Move to 14-3, Earn No. 1 Seed Despite Shaky Offense

The Denver Broncos are the AFC's No. 1 seed.

It seems unreal.

And yet, by going 11-2 in one-score games, and by coming from behind in 12 games—each NFL records—these cardiac kids have improved to 14-3 on the season.

The path to Super Bowl LX goes through the Mile High City. Fans in Broncos Country are a mile high.

Denver took care of business, even if the offense was shaky

Like all season long, a win is a win, and Denver only won 19-3 despite playing the Chargers backups.

And despite their offense being shaky at best.

The Broncos started out much like they did against the most recent Raiders and Chiefs game; they controlled the clock and went on a methodical 15-play drive. The only problem was that Denver had the ball in a goal to go situation from the five and settled for a field goal.

And the Broncos offense never scored a touchdown on the day.

The only trip to the end zone was Ja'Quan McMillian's pick-6 to put Denver up 10-0 early. At that point, it looked like a blowout.

But the offense was awful for a stretch. They punted at the end of four straight drives, including the opening possession of the second half. And then settled for three field goals in the second half.

One field goal came after a possession that started on the Chargers 20, when Nik Bonitto sacked Tre Lance and forced a fumble.

On the day, the offense went 5-15 (33.3%) on 3rd downs, Bo Nix threw for a season-low 141 yards, and he took a season-high four sacks. The one highlight offensively was that Nix ran for a team-high 49 yards on 8 carries, a 6.1 yard per carry average. His 22-yard scamper on that 15-play opening drive was a thing of beauty.

Sean Payton coaching offense not to lose

And on that 15-play drive, it seemed clear that Sean Payton was coaching his offense not to lose, and relying on the defense to win.

It was the same game plan from the Jets game way back in October, and the one that beat the Raiders in Week 13, and the Chiefs game on Christmas Night.

Payton basically said, "We're going to run the ball, control the clock, and let you make mistakes."

And the Chargers backup quarterback, Tre Lance, did just that. He threw a ball too high, off a receiver, and McMillian returned it to the house. And later in the third quarter, Bonitto's monster sack forced a fumble.

Denver's defense, which finished the year with a new franchise-record 68.0 sacks, hasn't forced many turnovers surprisingly. Those two gave them 14 on the season. Still, they were clutch and needed today.

Denver's defense carried the offense to the win. Just as they did for basically the entire first half of the season.

And special teams played well too; Marvin Mims had a 33-yard punt return and Wil Lutz went 4-4 on field goals.

So the Broncos have that going for them.

But, ideally a team would be going into the playoffs hitting on all cylinders. They'd be playing complimentary football.

Instead, the offense is limping into the postseason coming off three mediocre performances in a row.

They scored 20, 20, and 19 points in the last three games. Below their season average of 23.6.

Bo Nix put up 350 yards vs. the Jaguars, but he regressed to running from clean pockets and throwing with bad footwork, threw a pick and fumbled once. In the ball-control offense against the Chiefs, his numbers were much smaller (182 passing yards), but he did run a touchdown in and find RJ Harvey for a clutch touchdown to win the game. Today, he got it done with his legs early and played very conservatively in the passing game.

Hey, it worked.

Denver's offense didn't turn the ball over, which is more than we can say about the previous three games. That's a definite positive going into the playoffs.

And, Nix has proven once again he's a leader.

“Well, I should’ve done a better job today having more urgency in the huddle and getting us going," Nix said after the win. "I felt like I failed us on that. Overall, I thought we didn’t play with the tempo and passion we normally play with."

No. 1 seed means must-needed rest for the Broncos

Maybe the best news is the Broncos get next weekend off.

While the Chargers play the Patriots in New England, and the Bills face the Jaguars in Jacksonville, and the Texans play the Steelers in Pittsburgh; Denver will be resting at home.

That's huge for guys like Alex Forsyth, the backup center playing for injured Luke Wattenberg, who hurt his ankle in the first half. It's also big for Garett Bolles, who lay face-down on the turf in the second quarter before being helped off and eventually returning to the game. He also injured an ankle, and will welcome the rest. Bolles is like a first-team All-Pro this year and the anchor on Denver's great offensive line that they'll need to win playoff games.

There's also Dre Greenlaw, who was held out of this week's game. And the rest of the squad who are all dealing with bumps and bruises of their own.

And besides resting weary bodies, the Broncos will have an extra week to coach-up and scheme some creative offense.

During the season, many fans wondered if Payton was saving his best offense for the playoffs. While I don't think that was exactly the case, it's become clearer his conservative coaching has been on purpose.

Now, he can really scheme up the best plays, the most effective attack, against their opponents.

Of course, Denver won't know who they play until next weekend's games are over. By earning the No. 1 seed, the Broncos will face the lowest remaining seed.

That means they'll either face the Chargers (again), the Bills, the Texans, or the Steelers. Still, they can use this first week to work on the offense in general, and use the second week of preparation to zero in on how to beat whoever they end up facing.

Denver may know by Sunday night who they face in the Divisional Round. If Buffalo wins and New England wins, it's the Bills. If the Chargers beat the Patriots, it's LA in Denver again. But, if Jacksonville and New England win, the Broncos won't know who they'll play until Monday night.

Broncos now 2 wins from Super Bowl LX

No matter who they play, Denver needs to win only two more games—at home, nonetheless—to make it back to their ninth Super Bowl.

And Denver needs three straight wins to become four-time NFL champions as a franchise.

It would also be the first time a coach had won a Super Bowl with two different teams, as Sean Payton won one with the New Orleans Saints.

Payton has taken the Broncos from the joke of the NFL to No. 1 seed in three seasons. There's no doubt he's the right coach to lead the Broncos back to the Super Bowl, and the time is right now for Denver.

The NFL is completely wide open this year. All the good teams also seem bad. Everyone has flaws, and it's literally anyone's trophy to win.

Of the 14 teams still alive, only four coaches—Payton, Sean McVay, Nick Sirianni, and Mike Tomlin—have won a Super Bowl.

Having one of those Super Bowl winners gives the Broncos, Rams, Eagles, and Steelers an edge over the others. They know exactly what it takes to win it all. How to prepare to get it done.

Denver is set up to make a run right now. They can win it all if they can find a little more Mile High Magic somewhere.

It's been 10 years since the Denver Broncos won the AFC West. It's also been 10 years since the Broncos have won a playoff game, and ultimately, won the Super Bowl.

Denver Broncos fans who have been loyal for the last decade are now being rewarded with a truly sensational and special season.

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