Predicting the final three weeks and playoff fate of Sean Payton and Broncos

Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat reporter: Alright, gents, welcome back to the Roundtable. It was an ugly Saturday for the Broncos in the Motor City. Then, somehow, Sunday might have been even worse than a 25-point loss in terms of the team’s playoff prospects. They got just about no help as Cleveland stormed back to beat Chicago, Davis Mills-led Houston rallied to beat Tennessee in overtime and Buffalo continued to suddenly look like, oh, maybe the best team in the AFC not named the Ravens? So, Denver’s playoff odds are hovering around 23%, the computers say. Not great. On the other hand, the likelihood (not certainty) is that they get in if they manage to beat New England and the Los Angeles Chargers at home and then Las Vegas on the road to close the season. So, what do you think? They going to pull this off? I’ve gone back and forth. It’s a team that’s fought back this year and shown admirable traits in that regard. At the same time, going 3-for-3 down the stretch and catching a couple breaks in terms of other games seems like a tall task. I do think they’ll take care of business the next two weekends and head to Las Vegas 9-7 — anything else would be a major disappointment for the Broncos and their fans — but beating the Raiders on the road and getting the requisite dominoes to fall the right way? I don’t know, guys, I have a hard time believing that’s all comes to pass.

Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat reporter: Denver’s loss to the Lions was ugly. And I mean ugly. Fortunately for the Broncos, they don’t have to play a team like Detroit to close out the season. The Patriots, Chargers and Raiders are playing with backup quarterbacks. Los Angeles and Las Vegas have fired its head coach and general manager. Now, that doesn’t mean each game is going to be a cake walk. But the Broncos are more talented and match up well against the remaining opponents. The Patriots are one of the worst offenses in the league, so I’m fully expecting Denver to put together a better performance defensively. We already saw what the Broncos did against the Chargers and it’s hard to imagine them losing in the second matchup at home. Denver has lost seven straight to the Raiders, but with the playoffs on the line, I can see a motivated Broncos team ending that streak in Las Vegas. Denver couldn’t ask for a better way to end its season. It’s like the football gods have given the Broncos a gift and told them “Don’t screw this up.”

The Broncos will win the final three games, to secure their first above .500 season since 2016. But they might need some help from other teams in order to clinch a playoff spot. Either way, Denver will create positive momentum for the franchise, as it enters the offseason.