Broncos Hump Day Hot Reads: Broncos Clinch with Win over Titans

Dec 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) attempts a reception while being defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner (20) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos are playoff bound! Whoop whoop! The Broncos beat the Titans 51-28 on Sunday to improve their record to 11-2. The Titans played very well in the first half and led the Broncos 21-10 at one point. The Broncos answered back with a 41-7 run to end the game. Peyton Manning had a great day with 397 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Eric Decker had another big day with 8 catches for 117 yards and one touchdown. Matt Prater set a new NFL record by draining this 64-yard field goal. Here is what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what’s next for the Broncos.

What I Liked

Clinching a Playoff Spot

The Broncos are once again playoff bound, which is a great thing, but they now must set their sights on another AFC West championship and having home field throughout the playoffs. The Broncos now know that they will at least make an appearance in the playoffs for the 3rd straight season. Clinching a playoff spot is an awesome thing but the Broncos need to continue winning to hold off the Chiefs and Patriots. The Broncos would fall from the 1 seed to the 5 seed immediately if the Chiefs take over control of the AFC West. The Patriots are also looming just one game back of the Broncos for the 1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots also hold the tie-breaker over the Broncos due to their head-to-head win. You can view the entire playoff standings here.

What I Didn’t Like

Spotting the Titans a Lead

I am once again frustrated that the Patriots found a way to win when it looked like they were going to lose and give the Broncos some breathing room, but I will refrain from venting in this article this week. The thing that I did not care for this week was the Broncos giving the Titans the lead in the 1st half and having to play catch up. The Titans looked like they were ready to have a shootout with the Broncos at the start of the game and while they could not keep up with Manning and Co. other teams come playoff time might be able to if the Broncos spot them that kind of a lead.

What’s Next

Chargers at Broncos

The Broncos have a short week this week and host the Chargers on Thursday night. The Chargers are coming off a big home win over the Giants on Sunday. The Chargers are sitting at 6-7 for the year and are fighting for their playoff lives. If they lose this week it would give them 8 losses and hurt their playoff chances a great deal, so they will be hungry for a win and give the Broncos all they can handle. The Broncos beat the Chargers in their first meeting this year but the Chargers kept it close. The Broncos will have to be on top of their game to avoid being upset by the Chargers.

The Broncos and Chargers kickoff at 6:25 PM Mountain Time on Thursday night.

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