Year Over, Broncos Miss the NFL Playoffs For The 8th Straight Season

By Jordan Long

The Denver Broncos finished the season at 8-9, missing the playoffs for the 8^th year in a row.  It was also the 7^th year finishing below .500.

            The Broncos’ offseason started with a bang.  They traded last year’s first-round pick and a third-round selection in this year’s draft to the New Orleans Saints for Sean Payton.  The Broncos were hoping Payton would be the answer at the coaching position, anticipating a return to the playoffs.

            The Broncos didn’t start well, going 1-5 in their first 6 games.  The worst was a 70-20 drumming at the hands of the Miami Dolphins.  Two of those losses were a one possession game.  Week 1 the Raiders beat Denver by 1.  The very next week, the Commanders held on for a 35-33 victory.

            At 1-5, the Broncos looked lost.  The Broncos though went on a 5-game winning streak making their record 6-5. They were in the thick of the playoff race. Unfortunately, the Broncos went 2-4 down the stretch as they finished at 8-9.

            Offensively, the Broncos finished with the 26^th-rated offense in the league.  They totaled 298.5 yards per game. Passing was a problem with the team, averaging 191.9 yards per game 24^th in the NFL.  Denver was slightly better running the football averaging 106.5 yards per game, 18^th in the NFL. 

            The biggest problem with the offense was the offensive line.  They didn’t do their job to block for quarterback Russell Wilson or Jarrett Stidham leaving them without much time to throw the football.  The Broncos quarterbacks were sacked 52 times, far too many.  This doesn’t account for how much they were pressured or hit when throwing the football.  Denver needs to address this in the offseason.

            Defensively, the Broncos were one of the worst defenses in the league.  They permitted 370.8 yards per game, 29^th in the NFL.  Opposing quarterbacks were able to find their open receiver.  Those were large chucks of yards or touchdowns since the defensive backs played too far off of the receiver.  The Broncos gave up 233.6 yards per game, 22^nd in the NFL.  When it came to rush defense, the Broncos couldn’t stop the run.  They were 3^rd to last as teams ran for 137.1 yards per game.  Scoring wise, teams were able to put up 24.3 points per game on this defense.

            The Broncos know it’s going to be another long offseason.  They will have the 12^th pick in the NFL Draft which is on April 25^th.  Before all that, free agency begins on March 13^th.  Denver has a lot to work on to become a winning team next season.  They must address the offensive line no matter who the quarterback is.  On defense, the linebacker and defensive line must be improved.  The Broncos have time to think about what moves need to be made in order to become a playoff team in the 2024 season.