With long string of losing seasons over, Broncos have good chance to end 8-year playoff drought

DENVER — One ignominious streak down, one more to go for the Denver Broncos, who turned an ugly showing into a pretty comfortable rout of the Indianapolis Colts to clinch the franchise's first winning season since 2016.

Outscoring Indy 31-3 after falling behind 10-0 Sunday, the Broncos (9-5) now have a better than 90% chance of stopping another long skid: their eight-year playoff drought.

They've cleaned out their lockers and quickly scattered to watch the postseason from afar every year since Von Miller, Peyton Manning and John Elway hoisted the franchise's third Lombardi Trophy following the 2015 season.

It was that type of moment Sean Payton thought of when he took over as head coach last year.

“The appeal to me was the tradition here, the years of sustained success here and the importance of this game here," he said. "You can only find a few cities you can say that about and then you find the right ownership group. There were certain things that were really important. The football tradition and history here was very appealing to me.

“I have known Peyton and John forever but it was somewhere where the fan base’s expectations were high. You want to be in New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas if you’re in entertainment; you do not want to be in Rhode Island. If you are in this industry, you want to be somewhere where it is really important and the expectations are high."

And so, Payton said, "it is nice to get the ninth win.”

And in quarterback Bo Nix's first season. too.

“Good teams respond on a day like today.” Nix said after the Broncos' overcame a slow start, his first three-interception day and a variety of missteps and miscalculations.

“Good teams find ways to win, and playoff teams find ways to win these close ones," Nix said. “... It’s a good sign that we’re winning these close games, the tough ones that don’t necessarily look pretty, but we’re just finding ways to win.”

Coupled with the Chargers' loss Sunday, the Broncos and L.A. flipped playoff positions with the Broncos now in sixth and the Chargers in seventh. The teams play Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The Broncos might be without their top two cornerbacks for that game. Patrick Surtain II injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter and returned to the game only to limp off the field with about two minutes left. He appeared to be walking fine after the game, but declined to speak with reporters.

With fellow starter Riley Moss (knee) not expected back until next week at Cincinnati, the Broncos might have to go with two young players who replaced Levi Wallace, who was inactive after his poor performance against Cleveland.

Although Damarri Mathis played in the base defense, rookie Kris Abrams-Draine got his first career start as the Broncos started the game in the nickel.

Payton was impressed with both Abrams-Draine and Mathis, but bristled when asked Monday if those two might be pressed into bigger roles with this being a short week and Surtain ailing.

“No. 1, I thought those guys played well. That's the easiest way I can answer the question," Payton said. “You guys know we don't talk about injuries, but I also don't want to talke about hypotheticals, either. But those two guys really played well and I was encouraged.”

Abrams-Draine replaced Wallace late in the Broncos' 41-32 win over the Browns on Dec. 2.

“The last two weeks, he showed some moxie, stayed with his guy, didn't panic when the ball's in the air,” Payton said. “There's something about him.”

What’s working

Denver's defense. The Broncos caught a break when Jonathan Taylor's premature celebration turned a touchdown into a touchback. But they also had healthy amounts of skill, preparation and execution to go with their bit of good fortune. They had five takeaways and two sacks.

What needs help

The ground game. The Broncos managed a meager 72 yards on 27 carries for a 2.7-yard average. Take away Nix's 16-yard scamper and Denver has 56 yards and a 2.15-yard average.

Stock up

Nik Bonitto. The Broncos would be wise to sign him to a long-term extension as soon as possible. With a pick-6 against Cleveland and a hijacking of Indy's trick play Sunday, Bonitto became the second Denver defender to score TDs in back-to-back games. The other was Billy Thompson in 1973.

Stock down

Levi Wallace. (See above).

Injuries

In addition to Surtain, RG Quinn Meinerz (shoulder), McLaughlin (thigh) and DT D.J. Jones (finger) left with injuries.

Key number

97 — yards on three punt returns for Marvin Mims Jr. whose 61-yard return set up Denver's go-ahead touchdown.

What’s next

A short turnaround as the Broncos visit the Chargers on Thursday night. The Chargers won in Denver 23-16 on Oct. 13, but have lost three of four.