The Broncos’ playoff odds don’t look good after loss to Patriots

The Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes are slipping away. After a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Denver is 8-6 on the season.

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Sports Authority Field on a snowy day. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes are slipping away. After a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Denver is 8-6 on the season.

Now the Broncos are in the position of having to win their final two games, which are on the road against the Chiefs (10-4) and at home against the Oakland Raiders (11-3).

Here’s what the race for the AFC’s last wild card spot looks like:

6. Miami Dolphins, 9-6, remaining schedule: @ BUF, vs. NE

7. Baltimore Ravens, 8-6, remaining schedule: @ PIT, @ CIN

8. Tennessee Titans, 8-6, remaining schedule: @ JAX, vs. HOU

9. Denver Broncos, 8-6, remaining schedule: @ KC, vs. OAK

The odds are that the Broncos are sitting on their couches when the playoffs start. How did they get here? An offense that seems to get worse every week, mostly.

The Broncos managed to score just a field goal Sunday. They started the second half with five consecutive three-and-outs. Touchdowns are coming few and far between lately.

Denver can’t run the ball. Sunday’s 17-carry, 58-yard game was the latest example. The team is asking a lot of quarterback Trevor Siemian, and it isn’t working. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 282 yards, no touchdowns and one interception against New England.

The Broncos have scored a combined 13 points the last two weeks. It’s starting to feel like this team has a hard time winning unless its defense is putting points.

Denver needs to go undefeated these last two weeks and get some help to sneak into the playoffs. The odds of that happening don’t look good right now.

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