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Denver Broncos: How the playoffs can be reached in 2021

By Graham Tiedtke

Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception for a ten-yard touchdown ahead of defender Bashaud Breeland #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of a game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception for a ten-yard touchdown ahead of defender Bashaud Breeland #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of a game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Vic Fangio
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Mandatory Credit: C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports /

How can the Denver Broncos find themselves closer to a playoff push? Here are five ways that could happen.

The Denver Broncos have come close to winning more games than their overall record has shown over the last couple of seasons. Unfortunately, they just have not been able to string together winning streaks.

Last season, a big factor was the injury bug with Von Miller and Courtland Sutton missing the year—Miller with an ankle and Sutton with a torn ACL. Both of those players are back.

I guess you could view the 2020 season as a good thing for a couple of the young players who got to gain experience in place of the many injured players. In 2021, if all things go as planned, the Broncos will not have to deal with the injury bug too often.

Another thing that hindered the team’s success was poor in-game management.

The point? Everybody will have some experience heading into the 2021 season. They’ll only gain more experience as the year goes on. That’s just one thing that could go right for the Denver Broncos in 2021. Here are five more.

1. High number of defensive touchdowns

Fun fact: Current Broncos head coach Vic Fangio’s 2018 Chicago Bears defense led the league in pick-6’s with five. Unfortunately, the Broncos have not had a pick-six since that same year.

With the new additions at cornerback and the presence of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, there’s no reason that this team can’t make those big plays on the defensive side of the ball.

Denver invested in the cornerback position this offseason by signing Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller while also drafting Pat Surtain II ninth overall in the NFL Draft. I believe that this group will outperform many of the league’s best secondaries this year. Their experience and talent will go a long way.

I fully expect the Broncos to also have a stronger pass rush than the last two seasons. Forcing quarterbacks into mistakes by making them throw the ball sooner than they want is a recipe for success.

It goes without saying that the Broncos haven’t had steady quarterback play since Peyton Manning, so getting defensive help has been key since those days. I’m calling for the Broncos to step up their takeaway game and lead the league.

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