Dec 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts following the loss to the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The San Diego Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I’m a huge fan of stats, and not just the ones that the Broncos are racking up on a weekly basis. I think it’s interesting to note some strange trends that have a lengthy streak going on, and one such streak is quite intriguing.
2012: Ravens 17, Broncos 34
2011: Giants 10, Redskins 23
2010: Packers 27, Patriots 31
2009: Saints 17, Cowboys 24
These are actually some pretty interesting situations here. In the case of the Ravens and Giants, both of those teams were underdogs going into the playoffs, as were the 10-6 Packers in 2010 to some degree. The Saints in 2009 were somewhat similar to the Broncos in that they started off really hot at 13-0, then losing three straight games to end the season before going on their playoff run.
This is a really interesting Broncos team that has certainly had its ups and downs this season, but when they have been on their game, there is probably not a more dominant team in the league, at least offensively. There’s still a chance depending on what happens in the final two games that the Broncos could end up with the fifth seed in the AFC, but that would certainly be less than ideal.
The common denominator here is that all these Super Bowl teams had a letdown late in the season, oddly enough all coming in week 15. This year’s week 15 matchup for the Broncos was tough even though it was a home game because they were coming off of a short week playing against a team that is already in the playoffs, essentially. The Broncos were beat up, and very sluggish against the Chargers last week, but they now have a chance to not only get healthy for the end of the season, but they’ve had a lot of extra preparation in getting ready for the road game against Houston, and should be able to get back on track.
Hopefully, like history has proven in recent years, that loss in week 15 will propel the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory.