The AFC is crowded and the Broncos need to secure a win on Thursday
Oct 4, 2022, 10:51 AM
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
2-2 is a popular record.
Eight of the 16 teams in the AFC boast that mark, with the Broncos joining the crowd.
After the brutal loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, filled with injuries, Denver doesn’t have any time to feel sorry for themselves. They play again in just two short days, welcoming the Indianapolis Colts to town for a Thursday night showdown.
Last week, the Broncos were a playoff team in the way-too-early look at the standings. This week, not so much. According to ESPN, Denver currently sits as the No. 11 team in the AFC. It goes to show you just how fast things can change in this league, especially when the calendar still reads September or October.
The Jaguars, Browns, Bengals, Titans, Ravens, Jets and Chargers all sit at 2-2 as well. The Chiefs, Dolphins and Bills are 3-1. Everyone else has a worse record, including the aforementioned Colts, who check in at 1-2-1.
With a mini-bye looming after Thursday night, the entire Broncos season will have a different feel depending on what happens against Indy. Win and go to 3-2 with 11 days off between games, Denver will be feeling good. Lose and drop to 2-3, and it’ll be time to hit the panic button in Broncos Country.
The Colts added Matt Ryan this offseason, but he hasn’t been very good. Outside of a shocking win against the Chiefs, Indianapolis has been a disappointment, including a tie with the Texans and a blowout loss to the Jaguars.
Short weeks in the NFL are always tricky, especially when they’re on the road. Despite losing Javonte Williams for the year and Randy Gregory for several weeks, the Broncos are lucky this one is at home. They need to find a way to secure a win and keep their perfect record at Empower Field at Mile High intact.
Again, it’s way too soon to make the playoffs. Those wins will need to come in December. But it’s not too early to dig yourself a hole, and losing to Indy would do just that. 2-3 isn’t a death sentence, but it’s not an ideal spot to be at, either.
The Broncos have a chance to get right on Thursday night. Now they need to go seize it, no matter how batter and bruised they are.
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