Looking to keep their postseason hopes alive, the Broncos have the Patriots coming to town on Christmas Eve. For the second time this season, the Broncos will be wearing their 'snowcapped' helmets for this game.
The Patriots are in a position unfamiliar to many fans. They are 3-11 and have one of the worst records in the league. Though they have played better in recent weeks and still have Bill Belichick on the sideline, this is a game that the team has to win.
In fact, the Broncos are going to need to win out in order to have a shot to snag one of the AFC's Wild Card spots, but it starts with this week's games. In order to get that victory, these four questions will be important to the outcome.
How will Russell Wilson respond after sideline incident in Week 15?
Whether there is too much being made about this or whether it was a big moment, it is certainly being talked about. Rarely in today's game do you see a coach going after his star player verbally the way Sean Payton did Russell Wilson last Saturday night.
Payton tried to explain it away as a heat-of-the-moment incident, and it may have been just that. He also told one reporter that it was none of his business what he and Russ talk about.
Hopefully, whatever led to that whole thing lit a fire inside Russ that he can turn into a positive against the Patriots this Sunday.
Wilson has completed less than 60 percent of his throws in three of his last four games. This is the week for he and his team to get back on the right track and build up some strong momentum to help close this season on a high note.
Can the defense generate some turnovers?
Perhaps the biggest reason why the Broncos were able to go on a five-game winning streak after starting the season 1-5 was due to the defense coming up with a huge number of turnovers. While the unit was never going to sustain the pace it was on (15 turnovers in four games), they were unable to secure a single turnover against either the Houston Texans or Detroit Lions.
Not coincidentally, the Broncos lost both of those games.
Against the Patriots, the Broncos are going to have to find a way to get some of those. The Patriots will be starting Bailey Zappe at quarterback. Zappe took over for Mac Jones, who was turning the ball over on a regular basis.
But Zappe has thrown at least one interception in four of his last five games and the Broncos need to be hunting for one here. A strip sack leading to a fumble by someone like Jonathon Cooper could also be just what the doctor ordered.
Can the running game get back on track?
In addition to getting turnovers on defense, the Broncos were really starting to get a strong running game going. It looked like that could carry into the playoffs. But in recent weeks, the rushing attack has been poor, causing some outlets to question how much Javonte Williams is worth to this team.
Javonte Williams has valiantly battled back from a rough knee injury last year but he just isn't the same player. At least not right now. He is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and only has one rushing touchdown on the season. Against the Lions, he carried the ball 12 times for 27 yards.
But it may not be in the team's best interest to have him take a back seat.
Samaje Perine has been effective in spots this season but his biggest contributions have come in the passing game. I do agree with Cecil Lammey that Jaleel McLaughlin needs to get more of a look and I have argued that for most of the entire season.
The Broncos need to commit to running the ball against the Patriots — the NFL's second-best run defense, early in this game. Though the Pats will be tough to run the ball against, it could be a major confidence booster for the team to get the ground game going and have that carry into the postseason.
If the Broncos make the playoffs, they are going to have to be able to run the ball in those games. They are not a team that is going to sling it around the yard and will likely be on the wrong side of a blowout in games where they are having to do that.
This team is built to be a tough running team that plays solid defense and that's where it needs to find success.
What role will Kareem Jackson play?
Kareem Jackson, suspended two separate times this season, will be back for the Broncos on Sunday. But many feel that he will be relegated to the role of a backup following the emergence of P.J. Locke in his absence.
That being said, the Broncos still need the leadership and experience that Jackson brings to the field and he could be a key contributor in this late playoff run, provided he can avoid any more illegal hits.
The Broncos have Locke and Justin Simmons, but are still thin at the safety position. Rookie JL Skinner has been a healthy scratch nearly every game this season and Delarrin Turner-Yell has just not been very good.
It will be interesting to see how many snaps Jackson gets in this game but despite the mistakes he's made this season, he is still a defensive leader for this team and one that the Broncos believe in.