The Denver Broncos have all the pieces in place to make a modest jump in the 2024 NFL Season, and that could include making the postseason. You might laugh at this now, but the Broncos have embraced a clear path forward and can contend and make the playoffs this coming season.
It's a new and exciting era in Broncos Country, and I would not be happier with the direction. There is always a chance that Bo Nix ends up being a massive bust, but I am not in that camp. Denver has really aced this offseason from top to bottom and could be the 2024 breakout team in the NFL. Can they even make the playoffs this season?
Yes, yes they can.
3 reasons why the Denver Broncos can make the playoffs in the 2024 season
1. Appreciably better along the defensive front
This was a need that actually made me a bit angry when watching the Denver Broncos in 2023. They did not get to the QB consistently and were among the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. It was a huge, huge need, and was the No. 2 seed right after the QB. In free agency, Denver made some modest DL additions including Malcolm Roach, Angelo Blackson, and Rashard Lawrence.
They also drafted EDGE Jonah Elliss in the third round and pulled off highway robbery, sending a sixth-round pick for former New York Jets DE John Franklin-Myers. Not only do the Broncos now have a duo of interior pass-rushing threats in JFM and Zach Allen, but they also added some serious beef along the DL and did add another EDGE rusher.
Everyone along the DL should benefit here, as the personnel is simply better, so the EDGE production should be better and the trenches battle from week to week should begin to even out for the Broncos.
2. Better fit at QB for the offense
This one is obvious. Russell Wilson and Sean Payton just could not get it to work, and that's fine. What Russell Wilson does at his best is not typically what Sean Payton likes for his offenses. Yes, Wilson was statistically efficient, but that was truly misleading. Anyway, the Wilson era is over, and the Denver Broncos have moved on to the Bo Nix era.
Bo Nix might have been a near-perfect college prospect for Sean Payton. NIx is at his best when he plays on time and in rhythm and was compared to Tony Romo in his NFL.com draft profile by Lance ZIerlein. Why is that significant, though? Years ago, Payton worked closely with Romo in Dallas, and when Payton departed for New Orleans, he wanted Romo to come with him, but the Cowboys would not budge.
Nix also has a metric-ton of collegiate experience, and somehow threw 45 touchdowns against just three interceptions in 2023 at Oregon. The Denver Broncos offense should immediately be more efficient in 2024 than it was at any point in 2023.
Furthermore, it's now year two of the Sean Payton era, so you have to figure that the players on offense are that much more used to what Paytion expects from them. It's logical to think that the offense can be more efficient.
3. Always at least one breakout team...
In 2022, the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars broke out, each won nine games, and each earned a spot in the playoffs, winning one game. In 2023, the Houston Texans were the big breakout team, winning 10 games and also winning one postseason contest. Just about every year, there is an up-and-coming team that surprises.
And the Denver Broncos have the formula to be that team in 2024. They have the coaching staff from top to bottom. They have a rookie QB that fits what they want to do on offense. They have competent personnel on offense around the QB, and they also addressed their other biggest need, fixing the defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft and with a trade for John Franklin-Myers.
Denver doesn't have the best roster in the NFL, and it might not even be top-10, but they have what's needed to make the playoffs. Heck, I'm not saying this team is going to win the Super Bowl, but if you told me that they won nine games in 2024 and clinched the No. 7 seed in the Wild Card chase, I'd not be surprised.
Modest progress can be made after their semi-encouraging 2023 season.