Broncos Riding a Rare Wave of Good Health as Playoff Push Intensifies
In a league where injuries are often the great equalizer, the Denver Broncos have managed to stay remarkably upright while chaos unfolds around them. Just last weekend, Kansas City lost Patrick Mahomes and Green Bay lost Micah Parsons-both to season-ending ACL tears. Meanwhile, in Denver, the injury report has been relatively kind, and that’s no small part of why this team is in prime position heading into the final stretch.
Let’s be clear: football isn’t just a contact sport-it’s a collision sport. Injuries are part of the fabric of the game.
Every coach preaches “next man up,” but not every team has to lean on that mantra as heavily. Some teams get the breaks.
This year, Denver is one of them.
Injury Luck That’s Hard to Ignore
According to data from Sports Info Solutions, the Broncos rank 10th in the league in total games missed due to injury-148 in all. But when you dig deeper and look at “points missed,” a metric that multiplies each injured player’s Total Points per game (from their last 17 games) by the number of games missed, Denver ranks fourth-best in the league with just 57 points lost. For context, the Cardinals have had the worst injury luck: 215 games and 195 points missed.
That’s more than just a stat-it's a reflection of how healthy Denver’s core contributors have stayed. And when you look at the top of the injury-luck rankings, there’s a pattern.
Winning teams tend to be healthier. The Patriots, Rams, Eagles, and Broncos all rank near the top in fewest points missed.
It’s not a coincidence.
Reinforcements Coming at the Right Time
The good news keeps coming for Denver. Starting left guard Ben Powers is trending toward a return from injured reserve, and while the offensive line has held its own without him, getting a player of his caliber back in the trenches could elevate the run game even further. The Broncos already boast one of the league’s most consistent O-lines-adding Powers back into the mix only strengthens that foundation.
On the defensive side, the team took a hit with Brandon Jones heading to IR after the Green Bay game. That’s a blow to the secondary, but the silver lining is that RJ Harvey and linebacker Justin Strnad, who were also banged up in that game, avoided IR designations.
Harvey in particular is a key piece. Not only is he filling in for J.K.
Dobbins-who went down with an ankle injury from a hip-drop tackle-but Harvey also leads the team in touchdowns this season. His rib injury being deemed minor is a massive win for Denver’s offense.
Key Contributors Already Back in the Fold
It’s not just about who's coming back-it's also about who’s already returned. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw missed time earlier in the season with a quad injury but has been active since mid-October.
He’s been flying around ever since, making plays in the backfield and even snagging an interception. Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach also came back in October and has been a disruptive force in the middle, giving Denver’s front line a much-needed edge.
With Calvin Throckmorton being waived, the door appears open for Powers to be activated soon. And with the playoffs looming, that timing couldn’t be better.
Playoff Picture: Broncos in Control
The Broncos are in the driver’s seat. If they beat the Jaguars this weekend and the Chargers fall to the Cowboys, Denver clinches the division.
That would likely lead to some strategic rest for starters in Week 18-and possibly even on Christmas Night against Kansas City. The Chiefs, now eliminated from playoff contention, are expected to start Gardner Minshew and may rest several key players as well.
And if Denver locks up the No. 1 seed? That means an extra week of rest before their playoff run even begins.
The Bottom Line
Everything is lining up for the Broncos at just the right time. They’ve been one of the healthiest teams in the league, they’re getting key pieces back, and they’re in control of their playoff destiny. In a season where injuries have derailed contenders, Denver’s resilience-and yes, a bit of luck-has kept them on track.
Is this a team of destiny? That’s a question only January can answer.
But one thing’s clear: the Broncos are heading into the postseason with momentum, health, and confidence. And in the NFL, that’s a dangerous combination.