With the Denver Broncos enjoying their much-needed bye this week, I thought it would be apt to have a roundtable discussion with the staff and our readers. The Broncos currently sit atop the AFC West with a 9-2
record and are winners of eight in a row. There is no doubt they are one of the best teams in the National Football League.
But have we seen enough thus far to label them legitimate Super Bowl contenders? For the initial installment of our Broncos at the Bye roundtable discussions, I asked the Mile High Report staff: “How can Denver achieve contender status in the last six games of the season?”
Christopher Hart
The Broncos need to do a much better job on offense in the final six games of the season. Bo Nix’s outing against Kansas City was encouraging. If he can continue to play that poised, I think Denver has a legitimate shot at being a Super Bowl contender. How the offense fares in the final weeks will have a major impact on where the Broncos find themselves relative to playoff seeding. Winning the AFC West would be tremendous but earning the #1 seed in the conference and a first-round bye? That would be something. We know the defense is lights out, but the offense needs to be much more consistent to truly be contenders.
Adam Malnati
Hard to not put them in the contender category, so let me adjust and then answer the question. How can the Broncos convince those in denial that they are true contenders? That comes down to the offense. Bo Nix has to play well for whole games. Not just the 4th quarter. Maybe stop forcing the ball to Troy Franklin. Stop getting cute with the play calling. The running game has to show consistency against good teams. The defense is elite. Special teams are very good. Haters will only call the Broncos contenders if they get better on offense.
Tim Lynch
They already are contenders. The key for them is going to be their rushing attack. How can they find a way to replace the production from J.K. Dobbins? Dobbins was on pace for 1400-ish yards, surprisingly, so that is a lot of production to find. Late in the season is when the running game matters the most.
Joe Mahoney
They already have. Anyone sleeping on the Broncos is in denial.
Ross Allen
I think they have that status, but it can be a fickle title to hold. If the Broncos want to hold onto that, then most of the pressure will fall on the offense. Bo Nix has to keep dealing like he has in fourth quarters and against Chiefs and Cowboys. They need to figure out what their rushing attack will look like. They have the system and athletes for chunk gains and explosive plays, but they really need to come up with how they’ll secure success on those short yardage situations.
Sadaraine
The Broncos are contenders. They made it to the playoffs last year and are trending up. This team has too much talent, excellent coaching, and team mentality to do anything but head into the postseason as one of the big threats in the AFC. I expect 4+ wins in the next 6 games and can easily argue that they are more than capable of winning out.
What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you believe the Broncos are already contenders or are their things they have to prove to earn that designation? Sound off in the comments section and let me know how you feel.
