The Denver Broncos are officially in the thick of the playoff hunt, and they’ve made a habit of living on the edge to get there. With another nail-biter in the books, Denver is now 7-2 in one-score games this season - a massive turnaround from last year’s 1-6 mark in similar situations. That’s not just a stat; it’s a sign of growth, composure, and a team that’s learning how to close out games when the pressure is at its peak.
To put it in perspective, 16 of Denver’s last 28 regular-season games have been decided by eight points or fewer. That’s more than half their games coming down to the wire.
And while some might chalk it up to luck, this kind of consistency in close games usually points to a combination of smart coaching, situational awareness, and a roster that’s learning how to win ugly - something the 2024 Chiefs mastered en route to a 15-2 finish and an 11-0 record in one-score games. This year, however, the roles have reversed.
The 2025 Chiefs are just 1-6 in tight contests - the same record the Broncos had last year. Funny how the NFL turns the tables.
For Denver, this marks the 23rd time in franchise history that they’ve hit double-digit wins. Historically, that’s been a strong indicator of postseason football: in 20 of those 22 previous seasons, the Broncos punched a playoff ticket.
The two exceptions? 1981 and 1985 - both heartbreakers.
In ’81, they lost a tiebreaker to the Bills after finishing 10-6. In ’85, an 11-5 record wasn’t enough to edge out the Jets and Patriots, the latter of whom went on to get steamrolled by the Bears in the Super Bowl.
So where do the 2025 Broncos go from here? They could finish anywhere from 10-7 to 15-2, depending on how they handle the final stretch. The margin for error is thin, and while the defense is playing at a record-setting pace, the offense - particularly the run game - has some real questions to answer.
Let’s talk about that ground game, because it’s becoming a concern as the weather turns cold and the games get more physical. Since JK Dobbins went down, Denver’s rushing attack has lost its bite.
Against the Chiefs and Commanders, the Broncos combined for 43 carries and just 143 yards - that’s 3.3 yards per attempt. Over a full season, that would be dead last in the league.
Even the Raiders (yes, the Raiders) are averaging 3.4.
The issue isn’t just about scheme or play-calling - it’s about contact balance. Dobbins had a knack for breaking tackles and gaining yards after contact.
That’s not something we’re seeing from RJ Harvey or Jaleel McLaughlin right now. Both backs are going down on first contact far too often.
Harvey, who was listed at 205 pounds, hasn’t broken a single tackle as a runner this season, per Pro Football Reference. McLaughlin hasn’t either.
Dobbins, by comparison, had nine before his injury.
The Broncos as a team have just 11 broken tackles in the run game - two of those came from wide receivers Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. Only the Lions and Chiefs have fewer.
For context, the Browns and Seahawks lead the league with 28. Individually, Pookie Williams and Jonathan Taylor are tied at the top with 21 each.
That’s the kind of physicality Denver is missing in the backfield.
Dobbins was also averaging 2.4 yards after contact per carry - elite territory. Harvey is at 1.7, McLaughlin at 0.7.
That’s a steep drop-off in production. Adam Prentice can give you the occasional short-yardage push, but with just five carries on the season, he’s not going to be a featured piece down the stretch.
Now, let’s shift to the defense - because this unit is flat-out getting after it. Through 12 games, the Broncos have racked up 51 sacks, an average of 4.25 per game.
That puts them on pace to tie the legendary 1984 Bears, who hold the single-season sack record with 72. Granted, Denver would be doing it in a 17-game season, but the production is still eye-popping.
Even if they didn’t record another sack the rest of the way, this year’s Broncos would still finish with the sixth-best sack total in franchise history. But they’ve got a real shot to break their own team record from last year - they need just 13 more over the final five games. That’s doable, especially considering their remaining schedule.
The Chargers, for one, have been the worst team in the league when it comes to allowing pressure. The Jaguars are solid in pass protection (ranked 8th), as are the Packers (11th).
The Chiefs sit at 20th, and the Raiders at 21st. So yes, there are opportunities here - but hitting 72 is still a tall order.
It’ll take a strong, sustained push.
As for Bo Nix, he’s quietly putting together a unique start to his NFL career. He’s not lighting up the stat sheet, but he’s doing something that’s often overlooked: avoiding sacks.
Over his first 28 regular-season starts, Nix ranks 10th all-time in sack percentage - right up there with names like Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Joe Namath. That’s elite company when it comes to pocket awareness and decision-making.
It’s not the flashiest stat, but it matters - especially for a young quarterback. Avoiding negative plays keeps the offense on schedule, and that’s been a big part of Denver’s ability to stay competitive in tight games. Interestingly, Steve DeBerg and Drew Lock also show up on that list, which tells you that sack avoidance doesn’t always correlate with long-term success - but it’s a strong foundation to build on.
Bottom line: the Broncos are winning close games, the defense is hunting quarterbacks, and the offense - while far from perfect - is doing just enough. If they can find a spark in the run game and keep Nix upright, this team has the pieces to make noise in December and beyond.