The Denver Broncos are the first team in the AFC Conference to clinch a playoff berth after a win in Week 15 vs. the Green Bay Packers. The former is now 12-2, one game ahead of the 11-3 New England Patriots in the AFC Conference and in conference record (7-2 to 6-3). The question becomes, how deep can the Broncos’ playoff run be? With three games to go, let’s let that mariante. For now, though, here’s everything you need to know about Denver’s Week 15 win.
What Went Right for Broncos
In addition to being the first team in the AFC Conference to clinch a playoff berth — what went right for the Broncos in Week 15 — the Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention as well. With the former’s playoff slot clinching, there are nine teams vying for six slots the next three weeks to close out the regular season.
Circling back to Week 15, the Broncos’ passing game went right (again). Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 23-of-34 passes for 302 yards, four touchdowns, an 8.9 yards per attempt, and a 134.7 passer rating. It was his cleanest game since Week 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Nix totaled seven carries for 10 yards as well.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton, meanwhile, is consolidating the meat still on the bone after running back J.K. Dobbins’ injury in Week 10. The former paced the Broncos’ wide receivers in targets (10), receptions (seven), and yardage (113). And with rookie WR Pat Bryant out in Week 15, fellow wide receiver Troy Franklin tied for second on the team in targets with Marvin Mims Jr. (six). Franklin totaled six receptions on as many targets for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Case in point: RJ Harvey paced the backfield with 19 touches for 65 yards, a touchdown, and a lost fumble. The Broncos’ offense’s air attack, though, is taking off.
What Went Wrong for Broncos
In addition to the Broncos’ offense’s running game going wrong, the Broncos’ first-half defense went wrong as well. The Packers’ offense scored 16 points in the first half, although the Broncos’ defense held them to 10 points in the second half.
The Broncos’ offense ended up scoring 34 points, so the Packers’ offense’s 26 doesn’t seem like a threat. But against a better defense, the Broncos’ offense wouldn’t have been able to dig the team out of the hole (Broncos’ offense scored 20 points in the second half). EDGE (4-3 DE) Micah Parsons left Week 15 early as well. He is No. 5 in PFSN’s EDGE Impact Score, while the Packers’ defense, with Parsons in, is No. 12 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score.
