So the squad's 28-14 triumph over the Carolina Panthers on October 27 offered plenty of reasons to celebrate. What it didn't do was guarantee that rookie quarterback Bo Nix will lead the Broncos into the post-season for the first time in eight years. But lots of Denver loyalists on social media — particularly the most fanatical of fans — made that leap in logic anyhow.
Given how bad things have been in Broncos Country over recent years, this abandonment of rationality makes sense. Still, a reality check is in order.
Since Super Bowl 50, which Carolina lost to Manning and company, the Panthers have suffered a decline arguably even more precipitous than Denver's. Thanks to consistent abuse from opposing defenses, QB Cam Newton fell apart more quickly than anyone expected, and the Panthers' efforts to replace him with another franchise hurler repeatedly failed. Current starter Bryce Young is a case in point: The first choice in the 2023 draft, Young stank during his inaugural campaign, especially in comparison to the pick that followed him, C.J.Stroud, and when the stench lingered into this season, he was benched in favor of journeyman Andy Dalton. Under Dalton, the Panthers were more competitive, barely. But the man once known as the Red Rifle injured his thumb in an auto accident this past week, forcing Carolina to turn to Young again.
At the start of the game, this sequence of events seemed like it could have a happy ending for the Panthers faithful (if there is such a thing). Broncos receiver Lil' Jordan Humphrey fumbled on Denver's third play from scrimmage, and after the turnover, Young sort of/kind of/in a way engineered a drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Xavier Legette and a 7-0 Carolina lead.
That, however, proved to be Young's highwater mark. The Panthers didn't score again until there were eighteen seconds left in the contest. In between, he threw two interceptions and generally looked out of his depth, as usual.
In contrast, Nix had his best statistical outing as a pro, completing 28 out of 37 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. More important, he actually completed a slew of passes down the field rather than continually dumping the ball off to mates approximately an arm's length away from him and hoping for the best. Courtland Sutton, who wasn't targeted a single time during Denver's hammering of the pathetic New Orleans Saints ten days earlier, actually had something to do, making eight catches for 100 yards, and tight end Adam Trautman contributed another 85, including a 37-yarder. Better yet, Nix's overall accuracy was much improved. The ball didn't always go exactly where he aimed it, but even his misses were less embarrassing than usual. In short, he was consistently competent, and frequently better than that.
With Denver notching 21 points in the second quarter, the die seemed cast by intermission, and the deal was firmly sealed in the third quarter, when the Panthers botched a fake punt in their own end of the field, leading to another Broncos visit to the end zone. Head coach Sean Payton kept his foot on the gas after that rather than simply running out the clock, much to the chagrin of the Panthers. But his assholery didn't matter at that point; Carolina was already cooked.
Afterward, Broncos believers on X couldn't contain their enthusiasm, with plenty of them noting that Denver would be the fifth seed if the playoffs began today — which they don't, as your calendar will confirm. Moreover, Payton's charges are entering into the most difficult part of the schedule — road games against the wounded, angry Baltimore Ravens and the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, and a home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who are currently leading the NFC South.
These challenges will offer a much better indication of how good the Broncos actually are — and if they don't manage at least one W in this stretch, an appearance in the playoffs will be much more difficult to achieve. As a result, declaring that Denver will earn a wild-card berth is premature, albeit no longer beyond the realm of possibility.
Not everyone was able to show this level of restraint, however. See what we mean below:
Number 20:
Footballs back in Colorado!! The broncos are half way to a playoff berth, and CU qualifies for a bowl game so far and it’s still October!
— á´Š. á´‡ (@j_esquibel85) October 28, 2024
Number 19:
Broncos will make the playoffs https://t.co/gGS2wpStmu
— HollywoodYuji (@TonyIsNotWorthy) October 28, 2024
Number 18:
Next weeks game will be a good test to see where the Broncos are actually at.
— Chris Hitchcock (@Chris_Hitchcock) October 28, 2024
Keep it competitive or win and we can creep up to playoff contenders.
Number 17:
I Like This I Hope Broncos Face Steelers In The Playoffs https://t.co/vOXlvBtSYZ
— Darius Wilkins (@BestKidWilkins) October 28, 2024
Number 16:
Sutton fumbled, Franklin dropped some key passes, Humphrey as well. This WR core needs to improve a lot or the Broncos might miss the playoffs again. Can’t have mistakes like that against Baltimore or Kansas City
— Prince of Troy (@hector9905) October 28, 2024
Number 15:
If Bo Nix had Caleb’s weapons the Broncos would be a clear playoff team and Bo would be the clear number two rookie. #Broncos #NFL https://t.co/v7p9OnqYTk
— Carson Orvis (@carson_orvis) October 28, 2024
Number 14:
#IDontWantToOverreactBUT Man did you see how my Broncos played today #BroncosCountry Bo Nix played like a Ram 1500 Truck 28/37 passed for 284yrds with 3 TD's 0 INT's and we are sitting at 5-3 2nd place in Division,can you say Playoffs,maybe even book a flight to New Orleans..
— David bateman (@DaveSnow72) October 28, 2024
Number 13:
Currently 5th in the playoff standings, the Denver Broncos? Hmmm, some crow is coming for a lot of people making way too much money saying stupid things in the pre-season. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/VpOxo1O2Mv
— Alec (@smartalech5) October 28, 2024
Number 12:
The Denver Broncos will be in the playoffs.
— Denver Fanatic (@FanaticDenver) October 27, 2024
Number 11:
It’s aight let them sleep more, Broncos will be a playoff team.
— Denver Fanatic (@FanaticDenver) October 27, 2024
Number 10:
Huge win especially with two tough games coming up. Whatever happens in those two games, we will be in the mix to have a shot at getting to the play offs.
— Martin Gray (@martingray100) October 27, 2024
Number 9:
Bo Nix I believe. The Denver Broncos are 5-3 and are in the playoff picture. I can’t say very often both my football teams won this weekend. Great weekend of football
— Ethan Cox (@ethancox2204) October 27, 2024
Number 8:
Bo Nix solidifying himself as the franchise QB
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) October 27, 2024
Broncos in the the playoff picture
Richest owners in NFL history
Sean Payton getting in his groove
WERE BACK pic.twitter.com/8N5T8zxzoQ
Number 7:
Broncos gotta go 1-2 over the next 3 weeks/not get blown out for me to believe we’re playoff contenders.
— D (@d2G05) October 27, 2024
Number 6:
Broncos back in the playoffs gonna bring tears to my eyes
— Kyle Brewer (@kymatt77777) October 27, 2024
Number 5:
This Broncos Team is dangerous in the playoffs
— Blaze (@Chaoticblaze27) October 27, 2024
Number 4:
Broncos are a playoff team
— Toasty (@toasty_5676) October 27, 2024
Number 3:
Oh, I'm not doubting OUR Chiefs but Broncos will be in playoff contention. They are playing a last place schedule and have a winning coach (Sean Payton) who turned the Saints and Drew Brees into a winning team.
— Joe Dailey (@joedailey2424) October 27, 2024
Number 2:
I love Bo Nix. The fact that I can even dare to CONSIDER a playoff sport for @Broncos this season is a miracle. There will be more passing mistakes, sure, but this guy can make things happen, he does not hide and he will run through a brick wall for the team. #BroncosCountry
— Dominik Diamond (@DominikDiamond) October 27, 2024
Number 1:
Welp on to the Ravens chiefs and falcons pre season over lol
— Chargers (@BoltupDeonte619) October 28, 2024
