The Denver Broncos are 12-3, but their latest loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars stings - and not just on the scoreboard. With the Los Angeles Chargers pulling off a win over the Cowboys in Week 16, the AFC West just got tighter.
Denver still sits atop the conference and controls its postseason fate, but this one felt like more than just a mark in the loss column. It was the kind of game that leaves bruises - both in the standings and on the roster.
With a short week ahead and a Christmas Day showdown in Kansas City looming, the Broncos are suddenly facing some serious questions - and not just about their performance. Injuries are starting to pile up at the worst possible time.
Late in the game, wide receiver Pat Bryant went down with a significant injury, and shortly after, linebacker Dre Greenlaw exited with a hamstring issue and was quickly ruled out. That’s never a good sign, especially with only four days until kickoff against the Chiefs.
Greenlaw’s injury might’ve flown under the radar amid the chaos of the final minutes, but it could have major implications. The veteran linebacker, who joined the Broncos this offseason after several strong years in San Francisco, has already missed time this year.
He didn’t make his Denver debut until the home matchup against the Giants. When healthy, he’s one of the most instinctive and physical linebackers in the league - a tone-setter in the middle of the defense.
But “when healthy” is doing a lot of work right now.
Denver’s linebacker depth is already stretched thin. Safety Brandon Jones is still sidelined.
Drew Sanders hasn’t played a snap all season. Justin Strnad went down in Week 15 against the Packers.
And this comes just a year after Alex Singleton missed most of the 2024 campaign with a torn ACL. It’s hard not to notice a pattern - and it’s one that’s becoming costly.
For a second straight season, the Broncos are scrambling to piece together a linebacker corps on the fly. That’s not a recipe you want to be cooking with in December - especially not when you're still fighting for playoff seeding and possibly the division crown. Depending on the severity of Greenlaw’s injury, Denver could be entering its final stretch with a patchwork unit in the middle of its defense.
Looking ahead, this is a position group the front office will need to address with more long-term stability in mind. Injuries happen - that’s football - but when they keep happening to the same group year after year, it’s a sign that reinforcements are overdue.
For now, though, the focus is on Kansas City. The Chiefs are expected to start a third-string quarterback, but let’s be clear - this is no time for Denver to take anything for granted.
A short week, a banged-up roster, and a road game against a division rival? That’s a dangerous cocktail, no matter who’s under center for the other team.
And with a potential Week 18 showdown looming against the Chargers - a game that could decide the AFC West and maybe even the No. 1 seed - the Broncos need all hands on deck. That starts with hoping Greenlaw’s hamstring isn’t as bad as it looked. Because if Denver wants to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need their defensive anchor back in the middle - and fast.