Can The Broncos Make The Playoffs? Injuries Could Disrupt Easy Remaining Schedule

A Week 10 bye has done wonders for the Denver Broncos. After the first nine weeks, the Broncos were just 3-6 and headed for another failed season, but Vance Joseph's squad has since defeated three potential playoff teams and look ready to make a run themselves.

A big factor for the Broncos' playoff hopes is their relatively weak schedule. Over the next three games, Denver will face the San Francisco 49ers (2-10) on the road, and then have a home game against the Cleveland Browns (4-7-1) followed by a final road game against the Oakland Raiders (2-10). The three teams have a combined record of just 8-27-1.

Save for a 34-16 blasting at the hands of the lowly New York Jets (3-9) in October, all six of Denver's losses came against teams with winning records.

Should the Broncos avoid an upset to any of the three opponents they will have momentum heading into their home finale against the Los Angeles Chargers (9-3). The Chargers have not defeated the Broncos at Mile High since 2013.

In other words, a 10-6 season is not out of the question.

But is 10-6 good enough for a wild-card berth?

It seems like a given that the Kansas City Chiefs (10-2) and the Chargers are locks for the playoffs, leaving the Broncos to compete with the Baltimore Ravens (7-5), Miami Dolphins (6-6), Indianapolis Colts (6-6) and Tennessee Titans (6-6) for the final wild-card spot.

The Broncos would almost certainly need to win their remaining four games with so many teams in the race. The biggest obstacle appears to be the Ravens, who are a game ahead of the Broncos. But Baltimore faces the Chiefs on the road Sunday and the Ravens also have a road game against the Chargers in Week 16.

The Dolphins have to play the New England Patriots (9-3) and Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1), while the Colts and Titans play each other on Dec. 30. Assuming all or most of those games go as expected, things could line up nicely for the Broncos to sneak into the playoffs.

The main thing holding the Broncos back will be injuries on defense. Defensive standouts Josey Jewell, Chris Harris Jr. and Derek Wolfe had to leave the game against the Bengals on Sunday with injuries. Harris broke his right fibula and is "week-to-week," according to Vance Joseph. Jewell sprained his left ankle and Wolfe suffered a rib injury.

Luckily for the Broncos, trading away wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in October did not derail their season any further. They are 3-1 since then, and rookie Courtland Sutton has stepped up in his increased role. Sutton eclipsed 50 yards in just three of the Broncos' first eight games; he has gone over that mark three times in the four games since.