“It sucks and it is bittersweet”

Fireworks shot out from the top of the video board at Empower Field. Fans cheered in celebration. There were a few smiles in the locker room.

But the idea of missing the playoffs for the eighth straight season hung over everything after the Broncos’ too-little, too-late, 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

“They are NFL games (and) they are still hard to win no matter what. It still sucks and it is bittersweet,” inside linebacker Alex Singleton said.

While Broncos quarterback Jarret Stidham took a knee midfield, solidifying his first career win as a starter, the Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers secured victories, ending any hope of Denver playing meaningful football in January.

Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell thinks things could’ve been different if they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot earlier in the season. The Broncos started 1-5, allowed 70 points in a loss to the Dolphins, and blew halftime leads against the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and New York Jets at home.

“We are where we are,” he said

The Broncos flipping the switch to be in the playoff hunt despite the poor start offered some solace. During the Broncos’ five-game win streak, they knocked off Kansas City, the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. The defense went from one of the worst in the league to one of the best. And when Denver defeated the Chargers on the road in Week 14, it was a game behind Kansas City for first place in the division.

Following a heart-breaking loss to the New Patriots, head coach Sean Payton decided to bench Russell Wilson, hoping to provide a “spark” on offense.

Instead, the Broncos’ offense on Sunday still looked the same as before. They were held to their lowest point total since Week 6. Denver averaged 3.1 rushing yards per carry, while only scoring one touchdown — an incredible 54-yard catch-and-run from Lil’Jordan Humphrey — and converting 3 of 4 field goal attempts.

Once again, the defense willed the Broncos to a win. It just wasn’t enough to keep their playoff hopes alive.

“Certainly, that’s a goal (to make the playoffs) when you start the beginning of the year. It was a goal of ours,” said Payton. “Yes, it’s disappointing.”

Stidham waited four seasons to secure his first win in the NFL. In fact, he hadn’t won a game since 2018 when he led the Auburn Tigers to a 63-14 victory over Purdue in the Music City Bowl. After he knocked off the Chargers, he went to his locker to text his wife.

Even though Denver’s playoff hopes vanished in the process, he wasn’t going to let that steal his moment.

“The objective was to come in here and get our eighth win and we did that,” Stidham said. “It’s disappointing that we can’t continue after next week, but the goal is to get another win. That’s all we got.”