October 31st 2024.
As the weekend approaches, let's not forget to turn our clocks back and keep our fingers crossed for the Broncos to not set us back for years to come. Currently boasting a 5-3 record, the team is still viewed with some skepticism. They are often compared to the NFL's CU Buffs – a team that's entertaining and improving, but not quite ready for the big leagues. This is the opinion shared by many experts and national media outlets.
And to be honest, the Broncos have yet to earn our full trust. Sure, they have shown potential, but it's not enough. They need to make it to the playoffs, and I'm doubling down on my prediction that they will. This upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens is a chance for them to prove themselves and change the narrative. It's an opportunity to show that they are more than just a young team that took advantage of a weak division like the NFC South.
The Ravens are to the Broncos what Nebraska was to CU – except way better. The Huskers dominated the Buffs, exposing their weaknesses and the long road ahead of them in their rebuild. As winter made a flirtatious appearance, it was a reminder that the Broncos are on a similar slippery slope. This Sunday, they will have a chance to showcase their talents on a national stage, as they take on the Ravens in the featured game on CBS. It's a far cry from previous years where we had to watch The Masters just to hear Jim Nantz mention the Broncos.
We've seen the Broncos in several big games since 2016, and unfortunately, they haven't always come out on top. In fact, they've had some embarrassing losses, including a collapse against the injury-riddled Giants in 2017, a gag against the Browns in 2018, and a choke against the Bengals in 2021. And who can forget their Thursday night overtime loss to the Colts in 2023, or their disappointing performance against the Patriots on Christmas Eve in 2020? But this Sunday, they have the chance to put all of that behind them and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.
A win – or even a close game – against the Ravens will bring about headlines praising the Broncos and their talent. But a bad loss will raise doubts about just how good they really are. However, there's a subtle difference in the team's mindset this year that is encouraging. Instead of viewing this game as a challenge, they see it as an opportunity. This is a shift in mindset that can be attributed to their coach, Sean Payton.
This game will feature the Ravens' top-ranked offense against the Broncos' third-ranked defense. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who has a six-game sack streak going into the matchup, sees this as a chance for the defense to prove themselves on a big stage. And that's exactly what they intend to do. Payton and his staff have instilled confidence in the team through preparation and game planning. They no longer play the victim or make excuses, leaving that to other teams like the Panthers.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton acknowledges that many people have written the Broncos off based on their personnel, but that doesn't faze them. They thrive on being underdogs and they believe that they can compete with anyone if they perform to their full potential. And their recent record proves just that, with five wins in their last six games and three straight road wins. Yet, they are still 9.5-point underdogs against the Ravens, the largest spread in the league this week.
The Broncos currently hold the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs, but their rankings in the media power rankings range from 11th to 23rd. Some critics are still not convinced, saying things like, "Where is all this offense when Denver plays against real teams?" But locally, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the team, thanks to their young franchise quarterback Bo Nix and their tenacious defense. Nix may not be as electric as Lamar Jackson, but he's faster than any other quarterback in Broncos history. He continues to improve in the pocket and has shown a knack for protecting the ball.
If the Broncos want to pull off an upset against the Ravens, they need to eliminate turnovers and be the aggressor from the start. This is exactly what they did in their win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And they need to make the Ravens one-dimensional by forcing Jackson to beat them with his arm, rather than his legs. It's clear that the Broncos are not given the benefit of the doubt and are often seen as underdogs, despite their record. This is likely due to their eight-year playoff drought and their relatively easy schedule. But I'm confident in saying that the Broncos will win two of their next three games, and that will change the perception of this team and this season.
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