The Denver Broncos have been riding their defense and watching rookie quarterback Bo Nix develop under the direction of veteran head coach Sean Payton. Could it all come together and make for a surprising run into the playoffs this season? Well, it sure looked like it after a dominant performance in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Let’s take a closer look at where Denver sits in the AFC playoff picture after Week 11’s Sunday slate.
Can the Broncos Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Denver Broncos are 6-5 and now have a 70.7% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 1.2% chance for the 1 seed, a 1.0% chance for the second seed, a 0.7% chance for the third seed, a 0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 12.9% chance for the fifth seed, a 22.7% chance for the sixth seed, and a 32.1% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Broncos Win the AFC West?
Here’s what the AFC West race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Kansas City Chiefs have an 89.5% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Los Angeles Chargers have a 7.5% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Denver Broncos have a 3.0% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC West.
Current AFC West Standings
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
- Denver Broncos (6-5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
Broncos’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Broncos win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Denver has a 4.3% chance to win it all.
Broncos’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: at Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 16: at Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
What PFN Predicted for the Falcons vs. Broncos Matchup
The Broncos are fighting to get out of a two-game losing slump and remain in the AFC playoff picture. The Atlanta Falcons are fighting to remain atop their division in the quest for a home playoff game.
One of these teams will take a step forward on Sunday while the other will take yet another step back.
This Atlanta versus Denver matchup may not hit the Week 11 marquee but it includes plenty of intrigue. Atlanta features veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and a talented cast of pass catchers plus a dynamic duo at running back. Denver, meanwhile, has played well defensively and stands a good chance to make life tough on the road for Cousins and Co.
The Broncos boast the NFL’s No. 3 scoring defense, allowing only 17.7 points per game, as well as the No. 5 total defense, surrendering just 295.7 yards per contest. With 748 rushing yards, Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson ranks No. 5 in the NFL and will run into a Broncos defense that surrenders just 3.9 yards per rush, fifth-best in the NFL.
On the other side of the ball, Denver is in the midst of watching their first-round quarterback — Bo Nix — flourish under the direction of Payton. Nix is completing 63.5% of his passes, has 10 touchdowns against just six interceptions, and he’s demonstrated consistent growth under his demanding head coach’s guidance.
The top target in Denver’s passing game is receiver Courtland Sutton, who has 42 grabs on 77 targets for 569 yards and three touchdowns. The ground game has been a committee operation, notching a 4.4-yard-per-carry average and seven scores.
Defensively, Atlanta has been shaky against the run. Only five teams have allowed more first downs via the rush than Atlanta’s defense and the group gives up 4.5 yards per carry. While the progression of Nix has been exciting for Denver, they would be wise to take pressure off the young passer by utilizing their stable of capable backs against an inconsistent, at best, Falcons run defense.
Denver is currently listed as a 2.5-point favorite and the total for the game sits at 44.0.
PFN Prediction: Broncos 24, Falcons 21