The Broncos snapped an unfortunate streak this season. After qualifying for five straight postseason appearances between 2011 and 2015, Denver missed out on the playoffs in each of the last eight years, with their last winning season coming in 2015. But they turned things around in 2024 by notching 10 wins, and broke through to snap the second-longest active postseason drought in the NFL.
Broncos Last Playoff Game Was Super Bowl 50
The last time that they played into January, they played into February as well. Denver’s most recent postseason game was a memorable one: a victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
It was the send-off for Peyton Manning. The all-time great quarterback slogged through the worst season of his NFL career that year, but was buoyed by a top-ranked defense that helped them win 12 games in 2015. They rode that success through the AFC playoffs, which included a defeat of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the conference championship, and faced off against Cam Newton’s Panthers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Manning threw for just 141 yards in the contest and didn’t notch a single touchdown, but the defense for the Broncos allowed just 10 points on their way to a 14-point victory. They were led by Von Miller, who forced two fumbles and 2.5 sacks of the quarterback on his way to being named Super Bowl MVP.
Denver Will Play As The 7th Seed In The AFC
Any. Given. Sunday. pic.twitter.com/DXBXldiAAM
— Bad News Broncos 🫏 (@BadNewsBroncos) January 8, 2025
They’ve gone through five coaching changes since (including interims). Denver has been on the search for their franchise quarterback the entire time, sifting through guys like Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, and Joe Flacco throughout.
But the combination of head coach Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix has proven to be a successful one. It took until the final week of the season, but the Broncos snuck into this year’s postseason in a tough conference, and will play during Wild Card Weekend as the 7th seed in the AFC.
They’ll have their work cut out for them. Their first matchup will be against Josh Allen and the Bills, and will be played away from home in Buffalo, New York. Denver will come is as heavy underdogs, facing a spread of 8.5, but can look back to their regular season upset of the Bills in 2023 as a reason for optimism.
The Broncos currently have +5500 odds to win it all, the third-longest odds of any of the 14 playoff participants.
