3 Takeaways from Broncos' Week 14 Win vs. Chargers
The Denver Broncos got back to winning ways with a 24-7 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Denver's win pushed it up to 7-6 and into the thick of the AFC wild-card race, where it is one of six teams with the same record.
Sunday's victory did not place the Broncos into a playoff position, but it showed how strong the Broncos can be down the stretch to earn one of the three wild-card spots.
The offense produced points in each quarter, with the highlight scoring play coming from Courtland Sutton.
Denver's defense turned in another strong outing, and even though some critics will say it was expected once Justin Herbert went out injured, it was still nice to see Denver's defensive consistency show up in a divisional game.
Courtland Sutton Continued Incredible Season with Touchdown Catch
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Sutton pulled off one of his best catches of the season in the third quarter to extend Denver's lead to 17 points.
Sutton was interfered with in the end zone on the play, but he still managed to concentrate and make a one-handed grab.
The scoring catch was the 10th of the season for Sutton, who has a receiving touchdown in seven of his last eight games.
Sutton's Week 14 touchdown occurred at an ideal time for the Broncos because it helped them pull away from the Chargers and slam the door shut on a potential comeback.
Russell Wilson will need Sutton to produce even more down the stretch as the Broncos attempt to chase down one of the three wild-card positions.
Denver Defense Produced Multiple Turnovers Once Again
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Denver came away with multiple turnovers for the fourth time in five games.
Jonathon Cooper picked off Justin Herbert in the first quarter and that set up the first Denver touchdown of the game.
The second turnover mattered less because it was a forced fumble at the end of the contest.
The Broncos produced a total of 12 turnovers in their last four victories after their Week 9 bye.
Before that, the Broncos forced the Kansas City Chiefs into five turnovers in Week 8.
Denver's defense will keep it in any game, and if the high number of takeaways continue, the team could compete with anyone in the AFC.
Playoffs Are Within Reach
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Denver still has some work to do to climb over the other 7-6 teams in the AFC, but it is playing some of the best football among that collection of teams.
Sunday's win was important for the Broncos to get back on track and set up a strong stretch run of the regular season.
Sean Payton's team finishes with a road game against the Detroit Lions, home games versus the New England Patriots and Chargers and a road finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Detroit's recent vulnerability in losses to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears makes a 4-0 finish possible for the Broncos.
They will be expected to defeat the Patriots, Chargers and Raiders. Their two divisional foes may not have anything to play for in a few weeks time.
Denver holds head-to-head tiebreakers over the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills and it must win its final three games to improve its 4-5 conference record.
Conference record could be the tiebreaker that determines the final wild-card spot and Denver has the potential to finish 7-5 in that category.
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