As we approach Week 11, the Denver Broncos are off to their best start since their last Super Bowl victory back in 2015. Yet, sitting at 8-2, are the Broncos really that good and do they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run?
Denver narrowly escaped their previous game against the Las Vegas Raiders with a three point victory on Thursday Night Football. The offense was nowhere to be found as they racked up just 10 points against a subpar team in the Raiders.
That has been a common theme this season for Denver. They have had multiple games where they have barely escaped with victories in part to their struggling offense. 4 of their last 5 wins have come by just a combined 9 points.
In addition, all of these wins were against teams not currently in a playoff position. A big part of the Broncos' struggles on offense has been their inability to get Courtland Sutton involved more. Sutton, their top wide receiver, was awarded a 4 year, $92 million contract extension this past offseason, but has failed to live up to it through the first 10 weeks of the season.
Subsequently, it has been Troy Franklin who has lead the Broncos in receptions through the midway point of the season. The plan should be simple: Nix needs to get Sutton involved more in order to elevate this subpar offense so far.
On the other hand, it has been their superb defense that has been consistently bailing them out. The Broncos defense currently ranks third in the league in total defense, and have given up the least amount of touchdowns in the league with only 15 given up.
Star linebacker, Nik Bonitto, currently ranks third in the NFL with 9.5 sacks this season. Similarly to Sutton, Bonitto was also awarded a big contract extension this offseason. Bonitto has fully lived up to the hype as the leader of this stout defensive corps.
Denver currently has a one game lead atop the AFC West as they enter a heavily anticipated matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. In recent history, Kansas City has dominated this matchup, winning 12 of their last 15 games head to head. It should be a good test for Denver and a heavy indicator in what the outcome of the AFC West will be come January.
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