The Denver Broncos season is unofficially “officially” over.
In the process, the Broncos continue the awful habit of making putrid history. Thanks to the 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver is now set to miss the playoffs for the sixth-straight season. While not officially eliminated just yet, when it happens, this will stand alone as the Broncos’ longest run without a playoff bid since the franchise opened its history with 17 consecutive non-playoff seasons (1960-76).
In the process, the over 8.5 wins for Denver at most of the Colorado sports betting apps is in serious danger. The Broncos sit at 7-8 heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-7).
Broncos vs Chargers odds
As for Sunday’s game, Denver can play spoiler to Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
LA is coming off an embarrassing 41-29 loss to the horrid Houston Texans. To say the Chargers will be motivated is an understatement.
If that wasn’t enough, the Broncos flogged LA 28-13 in Week 12.
So, yes, Herbert and the Chargers will have serious motivation on Sunday.
It’s no surprise the Broncos odds have their current number. Denver is a heavy -point underdog to the host Chargers on Sunday.
As for the total, the current number is for Sunday’s game.
For those who partake in NFL betting, the under is 12-3 this season in Broncos’ games.
How the Broncos win
The offense must do something. Anything.
For the second game in a row, the Denver defense more than did its job. The problem is the offense is so inept, regardless of who the quarterback is, the Broncos have no shot.
If Denver wants to change that on Sunday, the offense must score at least 24 points.
One thing that should be expected is the LA defense copying what the Raiders did on defense. Las Vegas took the running game away from the Broncos and dared Denver to beat it with the pass.
If the Broncos offensive line gets manhandled as it did against the Raiders, Denver has zero chance to even keep this game close.
The Broncos also have to know Herbert and the Chargers will have serious motivation. If the offense isn’t up to the task, the game will get really ugly.
Defense gives Broncos a chance
As for the defense, don’t change anything.
The only reason the loss to the Raiders wasn’t worse is because of how the defense played. If Denver gets anything close to that again, the team at least has a chance. Can Drew Lock and the offense do anything?
There’s an evergreen question from the last five seasons; just change the name of the quarterback.
The other aspect that hasn’t changed is playing meaningless games to end the season.
With no shot at the playoffs, at least the Broncos can try to get a winning record and play the spoiler to a division rival.
That’s what it has come to in Broncos Country.
But keep in mind, if Denver loses on Sunday, it will have its fifth consecutive losing campaign. That would give the Broncos as many losing seasons since 2017 as they had in the previous 34 seasons (the first 33 years of Pat Bowlen’s ownership plus the 1983 season).
