Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos Zach Allen Update, Sean Payton Compares Devaughn Vele To Special Player

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos missed defensive end, Zach Allen and Sunday's game against the Raiders, but all things should be okay regarding his injuries. We heard from Broncos head coach Sean Payton is Monday press conference. Plus, he highlights why Devon Bailey is a special player. We'll break that down and much more here on today's brand new episode, Lockdown Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Hey, hey, hey, Broncos country.

Starting point is 00:00:33 What's happening? and welcome into another episode, Locked-on. Broncos, your Daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, where you know it is your team every day. Thank you so much all the every dayers out there on Broncos Country. Thank you so much for making us your first listen of the day every single day. I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports. You can check out my written work, Mile High Sports.com.

Starting point is 00:00:55 You can check out Broncos film breakdowns on the All-22 over there on Mile High Sports YouTube page. Join, as always by Sarah Bedinger, site expert, predominantly orange.com. also a writer over there at the NFL spin zone. We break it down here every single day for you all year long. In Broncos country, here's what you can expect on today's episode of the show. We'll wrap things up here at the end by taking a look around the entire AFC after week 12 of the NFL. What does it look like? Who do the Broncos have to account for behind them?

Starting point is 00:01:21 And is there a path forward for them as five games remain here on this schedule? Also take a look. We heard from Broncos head coach Sean Payton on Monday morning following the Broncos victory against the Raiders. And when talked about Devon Valet, he can. compared him to a little bit of a special player that's got a big place in Peyton's heart. And obviously in his coaching history, we'll highlight that. And we'll also give an insight and update when we kick things off on Zach Allen, who missed Sunday's game with an injury. Is there any concern about that?

Starting point is 00:01:48 We'll give you that update here as well on today's show, which is brought to you by our friends over there. Fanduel start the season with big return on Fandual. New customers can place a $5 bet and you'll get started with $150 in bonus bets. If you win your first $5 bet, visit fanduil.com to get started. Sarah, we talked about it in the post-game report following the Broncos victory on Sunday against the Raiders. It was evident that they missed Zach Allen on the defensive line. He's been a big-time pressure player for them. But I think a lot of Broncos country wants to know what is the latest as it pertains to Zach Allen and the hill injury that kept him out of Sunday's game.

Starting point is 00:02:21 Yeah, exactly. You want to know where's our best pressure player, right, from the interior defensive line. Where is he going to be going forward? And obviously, you know, Sean Pate usually keeps it pretty tight-lipped. Cody when it comes to injuries, but although he says, I'm not giving injury updates. He actually gave a pretty important injury update regarding Zach Allen's status going forward. Yeah, we should be fine there. I'm not going to hit any injuries today.

Starting point is 00:02:49 Yeah, we should be fine there. So it's not no news is good news. It's actually good news is good news, right? We should be fine when it comes to Zach Allen. And that's really all anybody needs or wants to hear. that he's not going to be out for an extended period of time, right? And we should be fine, could mean he could miss, you know, another game or two. Who knows? We don't know.

Starting point is 00:03:11 We'll find out as the week goes along. But Peyton keeps those cards close to the vest. And obviously, we did see the impact of not having Zach Allen out there. You can't help but wonder, like, with all the Broncos invested on the interior defensive line these last handful of years, like they could probably sustain without Zach, but he's a special player who makes a tremendous impact on the game. I mean, not only he's their best pressure player. I mean, I think he's cripped up.

Starting point is 00:03:35 And I think he's top two, if I'm not mistaken, top three in terms of pressures from a defensive interior lineman this season. You're just a big proponent there. And obviously it opens things up for more one-on-one opportunities on the outside for guys for guys. For guys, who's obviously having a tremendous season for the Broncos. But, you know, you're getting other guys filling in. Jordan Jackson, Enjoma, Uazerrique, you know, you have to rotate different guys in at this point just because, like, hey, you can't necessarily replace that gallon. you can only hope to supplement his loss with a couple of additions there on the D-line. I think Jordan Jackson is a terrific player.

Starting point is 00:04:07 To be honest with you, I like Jordan Jackson as the backup refresher guy there. But it's like who's going to be the guy to back up Jordan Jackson, you know, if Zach Allen is out. So I think there is a real scenario here. Maybe he misses Monday night football against the Cleveland Browns. Then you get the buy week. And so you get that extra time there. Wouldn't be shocked if we see that be the case here with Zach Allen. But look, knowing him, he's ultra competitive.

Starting point is 00:04:29 He wants to be out there. We'll monitor what his progress and practice status is this week. Obviously, Thanksgiving week, the Broncos will have practice. And obviously, I'll be there to be able to cover it. We'll see what type of progress he makes here this week. You know, in terms of that, Riley Moss, as we all know, we found out postgame, avoided serious injury, not ACL, according to Peyton initially post game, said it was MCL.

Starting point is 00:04:52 I'm sure there's still an MRI that's being taking place. So if we get any update on that, we'll see. But we'll monitor his status as well this week as the Broncos, prepare for Monday night football with James Winston and Cleveland Browns coming to town. But some other aftermath stuff when we talk about Sean's Monday morning press conference, when we go through when we talk about certain things, we, I think, asked the question a little bit, like what's going on at the Broncos run game. That has been the biggest mystery with this team so far this season.

Starting point is 00:05:17 Payton gave some insight into why the Broncos run game kind of changed a little bit against the Raiders, even explained where we called it clock management issues where they threw it three straight times and only bled 15 seconds off of the clock there when the Raiders still out all three timeouts. And he said a lot of that was based on how the Raiders defense, how aggressive they were in terms of their heavy front looks and also how often they were blitzing. They wanted to be able to try to maybe capitalize and ice the game in another way, which is why they opened up on the ground.

Starting point is 00:05:43 But he did touch on Audric Estimate. Look, Eric Goodfran Andrew Mason opened up by asking him a question about Devon Valy, which we'll get to here in a little bit. And Peyton went on an Odrick Estimate tangent. Here you go. Well, look, yesterday was going to be a tough day for any of the runners with the looks we were getting defensively. He's healthy.

Starting point is 00:06:03 We're excited about his future, and I've got to continue to find ways to get him more touches, but yesterday was going to be a tough day for any of the backs. It was just a heavy blitz, heavy run front planned by the Raiders, and so quickly we had to adjust. But he's doing well. It does help shed some light on the fact that, we talked about it in the post game.

Starting point is 00:06:30 Javante Williams, eight carries for minus two yards. Estimate, I think his best run of the day pretty much was called back due to holding. So even when the Broncos did find some success there on the ground game, they couldn't, you know, keep it because it was taken from them.

Starting point is 00:06:44 So it's one of those things, Cody, that's just like as the season rolls along and as you see other teams getting so hot around the NFL, I mean, we're talking about the Lions. We're talking about the Philadelphia Eagles right now. Those two,

Starting point is 00:06:57 those have the longest winning streaks in the, NFL. Lions have won nine straight games. Eagles have won seven straight games. What are those two teams do extremely well? They run the football better than pretty much everybody else in the NFL right now. So for the Denver Broncos, you've got to figure this out as we get into these late, you know, season games of the final five, six weeks of the season, you've got to be able to run the ball and sustain the ground game. So going into this Cleveland game, Cody, I can't help but think that running the ball is got to be one of the top priorities for the Denver Broncos.

Starting point is 00:07:29 especially against former friend Shelby Harris, Miles Garrett. I mean, Miles Garrett is on an absolute tear. So not only the Broncos, they have to account for Max Crosby one week. Well, the next week, hey, you got to account for Miles Garrett in that stout defensive line that obviously they have down there in Cleveland. Just a lot to look at here for the Broncos this week. And certainly estimate, I think, is going to be a big part of this team going forward. You know, especially when you look at the run, like obviously, Javante didn't have a good game on the ground. But, you know, going back and doing my film review that's up now on Mile High Sports YouTube page of the Broncos offense,

Starting point is 00:07:59 I thought Javante is always what has been a strength of his this season has been past protection. I mean, there are a couple of times he had to come help and chip against Max Crosby. I thought Denver's protection for the most part this game, the communication was really solid across the board there. Javante stepped up there. But you're right. Like if the Broncos are, Sarah, going in, you know, going to make the playoffs. In fact, if they do that, you have to be able to run the ball in the postseason. And certainly I think that's a big key.

Starting point is 00:08:23 It's like in these next five games, can you find a way to have the run game become your identity? You already know you can open things up in the passing game. You've shown that you've got a quarterback in Bo Nix who can make a lot of these throws against various cover zero looks and different zone coverages. He's done a really good job evolving in that department, but the offense can't take that next step until the run game gets going, which is kind of scary because never put up 29 points there. And the run game, non-existent, a little interesting there.

Starting point is 00:08:49 It's obviously great to have a defense that can get you the ball and get you extra opportunities, but got to find a way to run the football here going forward. That'll be a major key here for the Broncos in these five. remaining games here. We also heard from Sean Payton on Devon Valle. We've talked about it here at Nazium on the show that Devon Valy is emerging as the number two wide receiver here for the Broncos. Peyton went to even great lengths of comparing him to a player who he really much endures very much from his time with the New Orleans Saints. How does Devon Valy compare to one of Sean Payton's special players from his time in New Orleans? We'll break that down much more here on

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Starting point is 00:11:36 Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandul in official sportsbook partner of the NFL. History could be repeating itself in Denver this year as the Broncos rookie wide receiver, Devon Valey, emerging as the season has gone along. reminds Sean Payton of somebody that you may be familiar with. We're going to break down that comparison what Sean Payton had to say as well. Let's take a look at the state of the AFC after week 12, a crazy week 12 in the NFL. We're going to talk all about it on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos, but Broncos Country. Thanks so much for rocking with Cody and I'm making us your first listen of the day every single day.

Starting point is 00:12:13 And if you haven't already done so, hit subscribe wherever you listen to or watch the show. Maybe both. You want to do both if you haven't already done so. But Cody, let's talk about this comparison for the listeners of the show. Because look, it's been thrown out there. You know, Devon Velae kind of made it easier, we'll say, that way for Sean Payton to cut Tim Patrick off of his roster. There was a number of comparisons between Vailet and Tim Patrick. But it was a New Orleans Saints receiver that Sean Payton was actually comparing Vailet to after the team's victory over the Raiders on Monday.

Starting point is 00:12:50 Yeah, look, and Vailayley, coming up big for the Broncos in this game. He had a handful of catches. Look, I was doing my film review over on Mile High Sports. I'm just watching him, just his height, his movement. There was one play where he, like, vertical release off the line of scrimmage against the corner who's playing off ball coverage. He gives an indication as if he's going to run a slant and then he turns it into a fade.

Starting point is 00:13:10 The DB opens up and then he hits the post for a big time gain. I think it was 23 yards there. But you see like, Bo Nix, these guys got a connection. It's really developing and budding into something very. fun to watch because you got a flat defender, Trouin Mowrook, who's a force player for the Raiders defense, he was dropping underneath to the curl of a flat. Corners playing cover three. And it's just like you find that perfect window, both floats it right over the top of the

Starting point is 00:13:34 flat defender into a window where really Devon Velae were his height at 6 foot 5. And obviously he's got a large catch radius. He goes up there and good body control. I mean, one of the things Sean Payton talks about is how he catches things in traffic. Here's what Sean Payton had to say about Devon Vela. He calls him Valey, you know, in our press conferences here. But obviously reminding him a player he's very familiar with through his time with New Orleans Saints.

Starting point is 00:13:58 Bailey's doing good. I feel like I'm talking about the same player in that the progress with Bailey sometimes as a coach, you feel like you're stopping the progress by not getting them touches. And now I don't want to say we're guilty as coaches, but oftentimes afraid to play the rookies. And very quickly we've seen his growth. he's been he's been he's been really good the strengths for him certainly are his hands you guys saw it in camp

Starting point is 00:14:30 he's got strong hands in traffic he's a guy that plays well over the middle he reminds me a lot of marcus colston who i had new orleans in our staff meeting 20 minutes ago i said we got to continue to find touches for him you love to hear that for a rookie player cody i mean especially for a guy that i mean you're looking to get this guy more touches i'm looking at the numbers here nine targets against the Las Vegas Raiders this last week. So the Broncos really want to feature Bailey or I guess I don't know well enough to call him that at this point. So I'll stick with Velae.

Starting point is 00:15:02 But look, I love it, Cody. I mean, you see a concerted effort to get the young guys involved ever since the trade deadline. Something has, I mean, there's no doubt that's the before and after of when things started to kind of click for Sean Payton and this offensive staff. You could say it about Vela. You could say it about Troy Franklin. You could say it about Marvin Mims.

Starting point is 00:15:21 You could say it about Audric Estime. Since we highlighted on this show, the team's desperate need to help Bo Nix because look, a rookie quarterback is, he needs guys to step up and make plays for him. You can only put the ball in the right spot as many times as possible. The guy's got to come down with the ball.

Starting point is 00:15:38 Vela is one of those players that's doing exactly that. And the comparisons to Marcus Colston for somebody who watched all that, you know, all that football back in the day. That was like my generation. That's my era. I love that year of football.

Starting point is 00:15:51 It's a great comparison and a really cool one for Bailey to get as a rookie. When you talk about it as well, you mentioned the nine targets, six catches, 80 yards, a few big plays downfield. I mean, not only just in the downfield passing game here, but you're also seeing it where he can catch a pass five or six yards past the line of scrimmage and then turn it into something else. Not like game breaking speed, but it's like this is a guy who understands how to make a guy miss. He's also got some physicality with how he runs here. Once again, let's take a look here at the total number of snaps here from Sunday's game against the Raiders. Cortland Sutton, obviously leading the way for the Broncos at wide receiver, 58 total snaps on Sunday. That's 85% of the team's offensive snaps.

Starting point is 00:16:30 And you look at Devon Valle, 44. I mean, Sarah, I think what was it last week? I think it was 52 for Sutton. It was 42 for Vailay. And then Troy Franklin and then Lil Jordan Humphrey each had 27 reps against the Falcons. Well, now it's Sutton at 58. So an upticking him by about six snaps. Velley an uptick in about two snaps there,

Starting point is 00:16:50 but he's still getting 65% of the offensive snaps, whereas Lil Jordan Humphrey had 38 total reps on the field, 56% Troy Franklin, 27 reps at about 40%. And then Marvin Mims, an uptick from 14 to 16 this week. That's 24% there. And still, once again, here we are asking the question, how does this change or what changes if Josh Reynolds returns to the mixture? Because look, Reynolds has been a full participant,

Starting point is 00:17:15 spent the last two weeks in practice, and he's been out these last two games. Obviously, his window is coming to a close here, Sarah. So the Bronco is going to have to make a decision here in terms of, hey, if they're going to bring him back on, they're going to have to release a player, and they're going to have to hope that player clears waivers. They want to bring them back potentially to the practice squad in order to elevate a guy like Reynolds. Right now, look, I don't think it would hurt to bring Reynolds back in the mix, but right

Starting point is 00:17:40 now it's clearly Cortland Sutton and Devon Valy is the top two options here for Bo. And now you're seeing a little bit of Troy Franklin. Like Troy is not showing up in the stat line necessarily in terms of like production in yards. But man, Sarah, if you watch him on film, he is a problem for defenses because they are worried to death about his speed and how he can get behind them. You can see it with how the defensive backs play. Yeah. And he's him, Troy and Josh Reynolds are two guys that can really challenge a defense vertically, which is why I really hope that Broncos do bring Reynolds.

Starting point is 00:18:15 back when they have the operation. I mean, like you said, the clock's ticking. He's already been, you know, deactive or stayed on injured reserve for two out of the three weeks that he's eligible to do so. The window is closing indeed. And I don't think it hurts the Broncos. I mean, let's talk about hypotheticals here.

Starting point is 00:18:32 Let's say you shut Josh down for the rest of the season. And then you make the playoffs. And all of a sudden you have an injury one of the last two weeks of the seasons. Like I think they definitely have to find a way to bring him back. But at the same time, you raise a great point. because it's like, okay, well, a handful of weeks ago at the trade deadline, this problem did not exist. We were desperate to get Josh Reynolds back into the full because the Broncos needed any sort of help that they could get.

Starting point is 00:18:57 Now it's like, well, let's get Valle some more touches. Cortland Sutton got five, six straight weeks of top level play. Troy Franklin getting involved. Marvin Mims, we want to see him continually getting the ball thrown his direction as well. So I think Reynolds coming back is an interesting wrinkle to add to all of this. I think it allows Lil Jordan Humphrey to be utilized in more of the role that he's suited for. And Reynolds is another guy. You could take the top off the defense.

Starting point is 00:19:23 And that's one thing that we haven't really seen from Vela yet is like the us challenge a defense with his vertical ability. You've seen the big plays. But can we challenge a defense with his vertical ability and his catch point prowess? I would be excited to see that as well. So a lot of good things on the table for the Broncos here. As we say, it's, you know, it's a little bit of a. good problem to have. Like the fact that we're talking about this is very interesting considering just maybe what, six, seven weeks ago. I mean, we've been saying it. I don't think our thought has changed. Like,

Starting point is 00:19:52 you need to add a playmaker in some way. But it's like now we're starting to see these younger guys develop into playmakers here for bonnicks inside this office. So it is an exciting development to watch unfold here for the Broncos who are seven and five in a good position now as things continue to formulate around the AFC. And speaking of that, the AFC is a little bit of the wild wild west this season. The Denver Broncos are in a good position. After all of Sunday's games in week 12, what does the AFC playoff picture look like from seeds one through seven? Who's trailing right behind the Broncos that they're going to have to keep an eye and we'll break that down and much more. You're on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos is brought to our friends

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Starting point is 00:21:58 Can the Broncos make a push here for the postseason? We'll break that down real quick. I want to say thank you so much. Once again, everyone in Broncos country, thank you for tuning in and making lockdown Broncos, your first listen. Thank you for becoming an everyday listener. Broncos country, you make the show exactly what it is. We appreciate you so much. All right, sir, let's take a look here around the AFC after week 12 around the league. Let's start off with an AFC West Rival here for the Broncos. The number one seed right now,

Starting point is 00:22:24 the Kansas City Chiefs are 10 and 1. And I think the story that you and I have been talking about all season long, and I think a lot of the national media has, Kansas City is not at the same firepower in which they've been used to yet they're still 10 and 1 they're finding ways to win they just squeaked out a win against the carolina panthers they they hold on to that they win by three points late and sarah all of a sudden it's like i find myself trying to go back to all the people like oh when bow nicks lit up the carolina panthers well was just the panthers he was playing well passion mohomes and the chiefs almost got upset by bryce young and that team on sunday so i'm very curious see how the goalpost will continue to move here kansas city though still 10 and one top of the

Starting point is 00:23:02 division. Buffalo bills right behind them at nine and two. They're obviously a well-oiled machine. They're well-rested. And now they'll be coming off, obviously, playing a big time matchup this upcoming week. Yeah, the Buffalo Bills, Cody, are the one team that I think the chiefs have to worry about when it comes to that number one overall seed. Obviously, the bills, they've had plenty of success against Kansas City in the regular season. It's been the playoffs where they cannot knock off Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. But the bills, they have a tough, tough matchup. We mentioned earlier, the Eagles, one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Well, they're going to Buffalo this coming weekend to play the bills, Cody.

Starting point is 00:23:39 And although that matchup doesn't loom large in terms of the overall AFC playoff picture, it kind of looms large for Buffalo because they kind of need to win to keep pace. And that's a tough one to, that's a tough draw, you know, when you're trying to keep pace in terms of playing with the Kansas City Chiefs and being up there. So to me, Buffalo coming off a by, playing at home, they're in good shape here in terms of their second seed. But the Kansas City Chiefs, do they even have a challenge upcoming in their near future?

Starting point is 00:24:11 I mean, that's a tough thing right now with what Baltimore is. Pittsburgh, I guess. Christmas Day. That's, yeah, that's it, really, isn't it? I mean, it's just Buffalo's in tough shape right now. And Denver. In Denver, of course. I mean, week 18, you know.

Starting point is 00:24:26 Last week of the season. We know it's going down. We know that the Broncos are winning that one. But look, Buffalo, they're going to be tested. And this could be a Super Bowl preview for them. Yeah. And then you look at the three seed right now. The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of that disappointing loss on Thursday night football to the Cleveland Browns who the Broncos.

Starting point is 00:24:44 You know, unfortunately, you get ready to have to play. And it's kind of an interesting scenario here because, you know, Denver is obviously not playing Pittsburgh, but they're playing the Browns, right? And, you know, the Broncos, they played a Ravens team who just lost to the Browns. And I was a little bit of a different anger there for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. And it kind of went against Denver here. Can Denver find a way to slow down a little bit of that? Hey, they're riding off the high on Thursday night football. They've had extra rest leading up to Monday night football.

Starting point is 00:25:09 So that right there is a little bit of a storyline to follow here. But Pittsburgh, obviously, they're going to be taking on the Cincinnati Bengals. This week, the Bengals are coming off of a buy, which, hey, look, right now the Bengals are that 10th team right now that's kind of in the playoff race. I think a loss this week, essentially, I don't know if it officially eliminates them, but I think virtually it would eliminate the Bengals from being somebody that the Broncos. goes necessarily have to worry about conserving it would be their eighth loss if that were the case here. And then you look at the Houston Texans. I mean, this always brings up. And I got flacking this in the AFC squad show for it.

Starting point is 00:25:42 But I brought up like should the AFC like should the playoff picture change instead of like divisions as your top four should just be seating based on your record, regardless of the division in which you're. And obviously division winners get in. But it doesn't mean necessarily like if you're the worst division winner of the four that you get the four seat. I think it's, hey, like, whoever wins the division, you're in there, but not necessarily seeds one through four. I think that should be maybe something to highlight. I don't know. That's just me being a little petty in a sense there. But Houston at four seed, they suffer a little bit of a letdown.

Starting point is 00:26:11 They lost the Tennessee Titans. And all of a sudden, C.J. Stroud going through a little bit of that sophomore slump, very interesting developments right now around the AFC. And maybe from our perspective here, the more teams continue to drop, maybe the chance for more teams to, you know, be able to rise. But then again, even if even if Houston stays where they're at, if they keep losing, but still maintain the lead in that division. They're still going to stay at the four seed, which is my biggest complaint in my gripe here. Yeah,

Starting point is 00:26:35 and I agree with you on that, Cody, because it's kind of ridiculous to think that there could be, you know, a division like the NFC north of this year where you've got the 10-win lions, the nine-win Vikings, the eight-win Packers.

Starting point is 00:26:45 Let's say there's other divisions that have similar teams with a lot of wins, right? And, you know, a team that's got a 500 or just above 500 record is making it over a team that's 1, 10, 11, maybe even 12 games. That's kind of ridiculous.

Starting point is 00:26:57 So I think you're right. on about that, that the record should matter a little bit more. I mean, the Houston Texans, they got eight sacks against Will Levis. They got a pick six. They had two fumbles forced and recovered. And they still lost that game. I mean, this Texans team is

Starting point is 00:27:12 probably the biggest frauds in the AFC right now. And I say that knowing full well, the Broncos could face them and I could be eating those words at some point, but they just don't pass the eye test. Speaking of passing the eye test, though, Cody, I like what we've seen from, and by I like what we've seen. I mean,

Starting point is 00:27:28 Broncos country, we don't like the Ravens and Chargers, playing each other on Monday night football, beating each other up a little bit. It's going to be nice for the Broncos because, look, I don't think that you have to worry about whoever wins or loses that game, right? Because whoever wins or loses, it kind of gives you a chance to creep up. The Broncos, the only path to the playoffs for them is not just the seventh seed. They could be as high as the fifth seed behind, you know, the division winners. So I'm excited to see what happens in this Monday night matchup.

Starting point is 00:27:58 Cody, obviously, as we're recording, that game has not yet been played. It's going to be fascinating to see if the Ravens lose, they and the Broncos have the same record. Yet again, if the Chargers lose, the Broncos are one game behind. Got a head-to-head matchup coming up. So I think that's going to be fun to see how the AFC kind of shakes out here. Yeah, and I think now we've got to shift our focus. Denver at the 7th seed right now, they've got a three-and-four conference record to win on Monday night football against the Browns, puts them at 4-4 and Baltimore. Baltimore continues to lose somehow, and they have a record that's worse than Denver.

Starting point is 00:28:27 Denver can jump up there, but obviously if they have the same record, Baltimore owns the tiebreaker. Those are things we factor in. But some Miami Dolphins now who've crept up to the eighth seed right now, five and six, since Tuatunga Viloa has returned, they've been getting some momentum. They've been winning games and they're making things a little interesting. Right now, they've got a four and four AFC conference record. So you really can't afford to go in a little bit of a slump. Denver's got, I think, a one and a half game lead on them right now.

Starting point is 00:28:50 The Indianapolis Colts, they're five and seven. They suffered a loss of the Detroit Lions this past week. And now the Colts are going to end up playing the new. England Patriots and then they're going to go to the biweek the same way that the Broncos going to the buy week. Really right now, sir, like there are, there is a chance of maybe some of these other teams. Like it's a very, very minute chance here, but there's a chance of Cincinnati, Cleveland. They could still somehow creep into the postseason if they go on a little bit of a run here.

Starting point is 00:29:13 I don't expect that to be the case. But really, it's between Miami, Indy and Cincy with the chance of Sensi kind of being eliminated from that equation here in the next week or two if they lose to the Steelers this week. Denver has to take care of business and they have to hope that Miami, the Colts and the Bengals continue to lose because if that's the case, they're really going to have a little bit of a firmer grip

Starting point is 00:29:32 on that seven spot in the playoffs. Which, look, Sarah, we've said it. The Broncos just got to get in. The fact that they're in this position and they have a chance to be in it towards the end stretch, like meaningful football in the month of December. It's been a while since Broncos country's been able to have that.

Starting point is 00:29:46 It has, and it feels really good to be able to talk about them in this light. Once again, I know last year we were in the hunt, but now you're in the picture and you're in frame. and you have a really good chance, not just to control your own destiny, but maybe even rise up in the ranks here of the playoff picture. Those Miami Dolphins are going to be pesky, Cody. They play the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay on Thanksgiving.

Starting point is 00:30:09 That's an opportunity for Broncos fans to put on your green and gold after you've had all your turkey, you know, and stuffing and whatnot and go root for the Green Bay Packers at night because that's an important, important matchup for Broncos' playoffs hopes as the season goes along. Every loss for the Miami Dolphins from this point forward, every loss for any of those teams, dolphins, Bengals, Colts, you know, Chargers even, Ravens even.

Starting point is 00:30:34 I mean, it just builds the Broncos margin for error just a little bit. The Broncos, unlike last year, they don't need to be perfect in the final five games of the season, although you'd love to see them just win out. Just go ahead and do it 12 and 5, hey, we'll take that. But man, these other teams, the

Starting point is 00:30:50 Broncos are getting some help potentially from an eight three Packers team, they could make it happen. Yeah, certainly possible. And obviously, Broncos country should be rooting for the Packers this week. We know the Thursday night game between the Giants of Cowboys, nothing really at stake there.

Starting point is 00:31:05 I think the NFL, in order to make up for us, have to play the Giants. And whoever loses has to leave New Jersey, New York. They have to be relegated to San Antonio or Albuquerque, New Mexico for a new NFL team over there. But once again, just, you know, I've got to get my barbs in there. It's fun. Obviously, with all the stuff that New York fans were talking the last couple of years,

Starting point is 00:31:27 kind of feels nice to be a little spicy on that side. So New York, enjoy it. Get your roll with your salt, pepper, catch up and sit and enjoy the misery that is New York football. Luckily, things are on the upward tick here in Denver in the Mile High City. Broncos country in the state of the AFC is always interesting. We'll keep you updated along the way as week 13 of the NFL season approaches the Broncos, preparing for the Cleveland Browns this week, Monday night football, prime time action. Lockdown Broncos are going to keep you there every step of the way.

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