Can the Broncos make the playoffs?

What a difference a week makes. Heading into their Week 15 showdown with the Lions, the Broncos were riding high. They were coming off a dominant win over the Chargers, running their record to 6-1 in their last seven games, and everyone was talking about the playoffs in the Mile High City. Fast forward a few days, with Denver getting drubbed 42-17 on Saturday night in the Motor City, and things have changed.

At 7-7, the Broncos are currently the No. 11 seed in the AFC. That means they have to jump four teams to earn a wild-card spot. That seems like a daunting task. But is it?

Right now, the New York Times playoff predictor has Denver’s chances of making the postseason at 21%. But if they win out, that number jumps to 79%.

Can the Broncos win three-straight games? Can they earn their first playoff berth since winning Super Bowl 50, nearly eight years ago?

Denver hosts New England on Christmas Eve night. That’ll be Bailey Zappe paying a visit to Empower Field at Mile High.

Then, the Broncos host the Chargers on New Year’s Eve. That’s Easton Stick trying to win in the Mile High City.

And to close out the season, Denver travels to Vegas. They’ll need to beat Aidan O’Connell in the season finale to potentially run the table.

That’d put the Broncos at 10-7. While double-digit wins won’t guarantee a playoff berth, it’ll make it more likely than naught.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Denver -6.5 vs. New England (-110)

The Broncos are less than a touchdown favorite against the Patriots. Given their dismal performance on national TV against Detroit, expect Denver to be ready to go for this one; the Broncos will want to put on a much better showing from of the football world. They’ll roll New England, putting them in position to continue their march toward an improbable playoff berth, given their 1-5 start to the season.