NFL Week 16 Takeaways: Updated Playoff Standings, Biggest Storylines for Every Team
In Week 16, one franchise claimed its first division title in 30 years while other teams battled to keep a spot in the NFL playoff picture.
For the upcoming week, the Detroit Lions deserve the spotlight. They've been one of the league's best teams. Now, the club can celebrate with the NFC North crown. Most importantly, the Lions' Achilles heel no longer looks like their biggest weakness.
The Cleveland Browns moved one step closer to a playoff berth with a blowout win.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks found another way to pull out a gritty victory, but they have to raise their level of play to hold on to the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Bleacher Report analysts Brent Sobleski and Moe Moton will dig into the biggest takeaways with a look at what these outcomes mean for each team.
AFC Playoff Picture
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Teams that have clinched postseason berth (X). All teams updated through Sunday's completed games.
Current AFC Playoff Standings
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3) - X
2. Miami Dolphins (11-4) - X
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
5. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
In the Hunt
8. Houston Texans (8-7)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
11. Denver Broncos (7-8)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Eliminated: New England Patriots (4-11), Los Angeles Chargers (5-10), Tennessee Titans (5-10), New York Jets (6-9)
Week 17 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
· Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens
· Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
· Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
NFC Playoff Picture
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Teams that have clinched postseason berth (X). All teams updated through Sunday's completed games.
Current NFC Playoff Standings
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3) - X
2. Detroit Lions (11-4) - X
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) - X
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-5) - X
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
In the Hunt
8. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
10. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
11. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
Eliminated: Carolina Panthers (2-13), Arizona Cardinals (3-12), Washington Commanders (4-11)
Week 17 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
· Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
· New Orleans Saint at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
· Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
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Lions Defense May Be Turning the Corner Again
Like last season, the Detroit Lions haven't struggled to score points, but neither do their opponents.
However, similar to the 2022 campaign, Detroit's defense has made strides in December, and the unit came up big in a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Against the Vikings, the Lions forced four turnovers and Ifeatu Melifonwu finished the contest with an interception.
Yes, Minnesota quarterback Nick Mullens has struggled with turnovers over the past two games, but the Lions defense has put together solid performances in consecutive weeks, including holding the Denver Broncos to 17 points in Week 15.
With a win on Sunday, the Lions claimed their first division title since 1993. If their defense continues to play the way it did over the past two weeks, Detroit could go on a deep playoff run.
Still Alive in Playoff Race, Vikings Must Bench Nick Mullens
Following a loss to the Lions, the Vikings fell out of the playoff picture and currently sit in eighth place in the NFC.
Minnesota needs a little help to get back into the postseason frame, but it won't matter if the club continues to start Mullens.
One can argue that Mullens threw the game away against the Lions with his four interceptions. Add in last week's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and he's thrown six interceptions in eight quarters. The Vikings have a solid defense, but it cannot overcome all of those extra possessions for the opposing team's offense.
Perhaps head coach Kevin O'Connell should turn to rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall, since he's already benched Joshua Dobbs.
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Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers
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Packers Have a Promising Offense That Has Top-10 Scoring Potential
The Green Bay Packers have a long shot to make the playoffs this season because of their leaky defense that nearly squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to the Carolina Panthers. Jordan Love and the offense overcame another defensive meltdown.
Regardless of how the Packers' season ends, they should part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry but feel good about their offense, specifically the passing attack in the long term.
Yes, the Packers may move on from running back Aaron Jones because of his sizable $17.2 million cap hit in 2024, and fellow ball-carrier AJ Dillon will be a free agent in March. However, head coach Matt LaFleur can lean heavily on Love and his pass-catchers.
The Packers have a young wide receiver corps that features Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, all of whom have shown playmaking skills at 24 years old or younger. Green Bay also has an underrated tight end duo with rookies Luke Musgrave, who's on injured reserve, and Tucker Kraft.
In his first year as a full-time starter, Love has thrown for 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's played like a franchise quarterback. With the growth of his pass-catching group, he could take a significant second-year leap as a starter.
No one should be surprised if the Packers are running up the score on their opponents in 2024.
Panthers Must Do Serious Free-Agent Shopping in the Offseason
In the spirit of the holiday season, we would be remiss if we discussed the Panthers and didn't mention their need to be heavy buyers in the 2024 offseason.
Because the Chicago Bears hold the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick, which is currently slated for No. 1 overall, Carolina won't make a draft selection until the second round.
Unless the Panthers entertain trades for edge-rusher Brian Burns, who's in a contract year, or right tackle Taylor Moton, Carolina won't have a high-premium draft pick. Consequently, the club has to be active in free agency.
Per Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have $39.2 million in cap space, which isn't top-10 in terms of cap room across the league.
Of course, they can cut players to free up more capital, but whoever makes forthcoming roster decisions in Carolina cannot bank on the draft to turn this franchise around.
The Panthers should spend money to help rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who mostly struggled before he faced the Packers on Sunday.
Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons
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Taylor Heinicke Gives Life to Falcons' Playoff Hopes
Perhaps head coach Arthur Smith made a mistake when he tabbed Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback (again) after Taylor Heinicke's two starts, but he can't change the past.
Looking ahead, the Falcons still have a shot to sneak into the playoffs. Following their 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, they moved ahead of the New Orleans Saints (via head-to-head tiebreaker) in the NFC South and sit two spots away from the No. 7 seed.
In their final two games, the Falcons will go on the road to play the Chicago Bears and Saints, two clubs with sub-.500 records.
Atlanta should like its chances to finish the season 9-8 if Heinicke doesn't turn the ball over like Ridder has done this season, and if he continues to find his perimeter playmakers in tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London.
Colts Desperately Need Michael Pittman Jr. Healthy
Even with All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor back from a three-game absence because of thumb surgery, the Colts couldn't bully their way to a victory with a smash-mouth offense.
Indianapolis ran the ball 25 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Taylor averaged a meager 2.4 yards per carry, and the Colts averaged just 3.9 yards per play.
The Colts didn't have a complement to their ground attack without wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Gardner Minshew threw for just 201 scoreless yards and an interception.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Pittman initially cleared concussion protocol on Friday, but he experienced symptoms on Saturday, which forced him to go through the clearance procedure again.
Wideouts Josh Downs and Alec Pierce are solid secondary pass-catching targets, but the Colts need their lead receiver back in the fold to make a playoff push. They'll face the Las Vegas Raiders' 11th-ranked pass defense next Sunday.
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
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WR Amari Cooper Can Lead Cleveland Browns Offense
It doesn't matter who's at quarterback—Amari Cooper will produce.
With Joe Flacco now leading the way as the Cleveland Browns' fourth starting signal-caller, he can always turn to the team's leading target.
During Sunday's 36-22 victory over the Houston Texans, Cooper set a franchise record with 265 receiving yards. In doing so, he became only the second wide receiver in NFL history to record a 200-yard receiving game with three different franchises, according to ESPN Stats & Info (h/t Jake Trotter).
Cooper has now registered a 100-yard game with three of the four starters behind center this season. He's the one constant in an offense that continues to deal with turnover at the game's most important position, running back and offensive line. But Flacco—or whoever is under center—knows he can look for Cooper in any situation.
"He's told me that, 'I'm 225, cuz, throw me the ball," Flacco told reporters about Cooper saying he's always open. "I'm gonna get more and more used to just letting it go (to him)."
It's an important connection as the Browns ramp up for a postseason run. At 10-5, Cleveland isn't just in the playoff hunt. They're still in the running for a division title, sitting just a game and a half behind the Baltimore Ravens, which play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
Again, the Browns know they can build a game plan around Cooper and his ability to get open no matter what.
"A savant out there," head coach Kevin Stefanski said.
Cleveland's season could have easily spiraled out of control considering how many injuries the team has endured. The squad continues to persevere, and Cooper is a large reason why.
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Losing Grip of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
C.J. Stroud looked like a runaway for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year until the last three weeks. The race is much closer considering how Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua is playing of late.
Stroud didn't suit up for the second successive week after entering the NFL's concussion protocol.
According to Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans, his quarterback is "definitely making progress."
He also told NFL Network's Stacey Dales that "we were able to get him in meetings on Friday and get him out on the field."
Prior to missing the past two contests, Stroud threw for less than 100 yards against the New York Jets. His concerns over the past last few weeks opened the door for someone else to claim this year's hardware.
Nacua is on the verge of setting the professional football record in rookie receptions and receiving yardage, and he could surpass both marks next weekend against the New York Giants. The fifth-round rookie is coming off a season-high 164-yard performance against the New Orleans Saints. So far, he has accumulated 96 receptions for 1,327 yards.
If Nacua becomes a record-setting rookie while Stroud and the Texans struggle down the stretch, what looked like a one-horse race could easily turn into a hotly contested situation.
Washington Commanders at New York Jets
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Robert Saleh Will Have the Hottest Head-Coaching Seat Going into 2024
Before the games kicked off on Sunday, The New York Post's Brian Costello reported that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson plans to retain head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas for the 2024 campaign.
Johnson made a logical decision to keep the Jets' brain trust intact.
Gang Green lost its starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, four plays into the season opener, which changed the dynamic of the offense and the entire team. Without him, the club cycled through multiple backup signal-callers—Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian—who helped lead New York to a 30-28 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
With Rodgers set to come back from a torn Achilles in 2024, the Jets will generate playoff buzz next year. Moreover, he has his sights set on luring former Green Bay Packers teammates to New York, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.
If the Jets fail to make the playoffs or even start off slowly next season, Saleh may need to a find new job before 2025. Because of his high-profile quarterback and the expectations around a club that's missed the postseason every year since 2011, he will go into the 2024 campaign with the warmest head-coaching seat across the league.
Sam Howell's Starting Quarterback Days Are Numbered
Early in the season, Sam Howell showed some flashes that perhaps he could develop into a starter.
In a pass-heavy offense, Howell threw for 300-plus yards in five games, and in those contests, he threw for 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. On top of that, Howell has fluid mobility that allows him to create something out of nothing. He's rushed for 265 yards and picked up 19 first downs on the run through the first 15 weeks of the season.
However, Howell has fallen apart over the past three weeks, throwing for one touchdown and four interceptions in that stretch. In each of those outings, he completed fewer than 53 percent of his passes and finished with fewer than 127 passing yards.
In consecutive weeks, the Commanders have benched Howell for Jacoby Brissett, and the offense has found its rhythm with the latter under center.
In all likelihood, Washington will clean house in the offseason from the front office to the coaching staff. Howell probably won't have a leg up on the quarterback competition even if he remains on the roster. Remember, the club is in a position to draft (currently fourth overall) a top quarterback prospect.
We may not see Howell throw another regular-season pass this season.
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans
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Shaky Seahawks Must Find Way to Score Points in Playoff Push
The scrappy Seattle Seahawks narrowly closed out the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but they have scored 20 points in back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Eagles' 26th-ranked scoring defense and the Tennessee Titans' 17th-ranked scoring defense.
Though the Seahawks hold the seventh seed in the NFC, they could lose it if their offense doesn't generate more scoring drives in the next two contests. Seattle hasn't scored more than 20 points in a game since its 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13.
Next week, the Seahawks will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, which scored a season-high 34 points with quarterback Mason Rudolph at the helm on Saturday.
With the Seahawks and Steelers trying to claim wild-card playoff spots in the NFC and AFC, respectively, their matchup could come down to the final offensive drive.
Seattle should be able to put more points on the board with wideouts DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and rookie first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the perimeter and Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the backfield.
Ryan Tannehill May Not Have a Strong QB Market in the Offseason
Typically, serviceable quarterbacks draw a fair number of suitors in free agency, but Ryan Tannehill may not garner too much interest once his contract voids in 2024.
He didn't throw a touchdown pass in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, though running back Derrick Henry tossed one to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.
In fact, Tannehill and Henry have the same number (two) of touchdown passes this season. The former has also thrown six interceptions, though.
Coming off his worst statistical season in which he battled injury and lost his starting job to rookie second-rounder Will Levis, Tannehill will likely have to settle for a modest deal in his age-35 term.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Odds of Baker Mayfield Signing Extension With Tampa Bay Buccaneers Grows With Each Week
It wasn't going to be easy for anyone to fill Tom Brady's shoes, but Baker Mayfield has done far better than expected. The 28-year-old should be rewarded for his performance.
"He did what he always does—he was himself," head coach Todd Bowles told reporters about Mayfield replacing Brady this season. "He wasn't trying to be Tom [Brady]. We didn't have the same team that we had with Tom. We have completely different guys, for the most part. We have a few guys left over here and there, but we revamped our offensive system, we revamped most of our offensive people—with the exception of about five, maybe.
"You're not going to replace Tom, ever—nobody is. ... [Mayfield] just put his head down and he worked and he won the team over, which is what was great about it. He's doing things his way and we're doing things our way. It's not as pretty as when Tom was here, but we're scrappy and we're pulling them out and we're getting things done."
At 8-7 following Sunday's dominant 30-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bowles' final comment may be slightly off since the Bucs already have as many wins as last season with two games left to play.
Furthermore, Mayfield posted two consecutive performances with a 116.7 quarterback rating or better. The quarterback owns a 9-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio during the squad's current four-game winning streak.
According to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, Mayfield and his representation have yet to be contacted regarding a contract extension, though they "would be surprised if it didn't happen."
With another division title in the team's sights and Mayfield playing well, the Buccaneers front office should have an easy decision to make regarding the immediate future.
Jacksonville Jaguars Continue to Wilt, Which Starts with QB Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence's willingness to play through injury and not miss a game is admirable. But the 2021 first overall pick isn't helping his team at the moment. He's only making the situation worse.
In three of the past four games, Lawrence suffered a different injury. On Dec. 4, the Jaguars quarterback had his leg rolled up by left tackle Walker Little and suffered a high-ankle sprain. Two weeks later, the 24-year-old was placed in the concussion protocol. After clearing the protocol, Lawrence tweaked something in his throwing shoulder during Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.
As the quarterback continues to sustain further damage, the Jaguars season has spiraled out of control. The Jaguars lost four straight games. They had a chance to take control of the AFC South after the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns defeated the Houston Texans on Sunday. Instead, Jacksonville no-showed.
Once again, a three-way tie exists atop the division, with all three teams currently sitting at 8-7 overall. Only tie-breakers give the Jaguars an advantage.
Does it really matter based on how Jacksonville is currently playing, with Lawrence nowhere near 100 percent healthy? Maybe the best path forward is to allow C.J. Beathard to take over the offense for now considering the schedule is relatively friendly, with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans remaining.
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
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Chicago Bears Finding Recipe for Long-Term Success
At 6-9 after Sunday's 27-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, the Chicago Bears have won three of their past four games with quarterback Justin Fields leading the way. The formula is developing before their very eyes to show exactly how the team should be built going into the offseason.
Technically, the Bears have yet to be eliminated from playoff contention, but Chicago needs to win its final two games and get help from elsewhere.
A nice push to end the season signals bigger and better things, and it all starts with Fields.
Any inconsistencies found within the the 24-year-old's passing skill set are easily offset by the creativity allowed by his athleticism. He can extend plays when nothing is available. The quarterback's natural gifts allow the coaching staff to be creative with its play-calling. When everything breaks down, Fields can make something out of nothing, as evidenced by his 97 rushing yards against the Cardinals.
But those aspects have always been evident. The supporting cast hasn't.
Running back Khalil Herbert was finally healthy after a high-ankle sprain and showed what's possible when others around the quarterback create an impact by running for a season-high 112 rushing yards.
The Bears claim a strong one-two punch in the backfield, with a couple outside weapons in wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet. Considering the organization currently holds two draft picks in next year's top 10 selections, they can build upon this foundation and take the momentum from the end of the 2023 campaign and be far more competitive next year.
Arizona Cardinals Look For Building Blocks Amid Lost Season
At 3-12, the Cardinals are exactly where many projected them to be going into this season as one of the NFL's worst teams.
The Cardinals hold what's expected to be a top-three selection in April's draft. The goal for most of the year remains the same, which is to find talent the front office can build around while supplementing the rest of the roster.
A whole lot isn't in place. However, safety Jalen Thompson certainly fits the bill.
Thompson signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension prior to last season. He's in the midst of arguably his best season as a pro. During Sunday's contest, the 25-year-old defensive back defended three passes and intercepted Fields in the end zone. He's either tied or surpassed his previous career highs in both categories.
As of now, the combination of quarterback Kyler Murray, tight end Trey McBride, right tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and Thompson appear to be the starting point for what the Cardinals have going into next offseason and don't need to replace or upgrade.
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins
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Miami Dolphins Overcome Dallas Cowboys to Squash Questions About Quality Opponents
The narrative is dead; long live the narrative. And the Dolphins heard it all.
Before Sunday it was, "Miami can't be quality opponents." To be fair, the Dolphins took care of business against the opponents they should have. But they fell to the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Still, Miami emerged victorious Sunday with a 22-20 win over the previously NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys.
"That's a win over a really good team that's tough to beat," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters after the game. "… It's satisfying to have an earned victory that took everybody."
To an extent, the reaction is natural, and McDaniel understood why the narrative existed.
"Everyone's going to talk about stuff you haven't done until you do it," the coach said. " … Should we really be entitled to blind faith until we do it?"
However, the goal posts started to shift well before Sunday's contest.
The Dolphins faced a brutal end-of-season schedule that started with the Cowboys, goes through Baltimore and the AFC North-leading Ravens and ends against the surging Bills. It was easy to believe the Dolphins couldn't adequately navigate such a difficult stretch.
Well, the Cowboys are out of the way and the Dolphins continue to rose to the occasion despite the naysayers.
"Our locker room is filled with 'they said you can't,'" McDaniel added.
Maybe the narrative should be as simple as the Dolphins are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and we can all just leave it at that.
Dallas Cowboys' Mistakes Aren't Something to Overlook, Especially on Road
The Cowboys are one of the league's most talented teams. They are also the league's second-most penalized team. The squad didn't help matters with its latest effort.
Granted, officials only called one more penalty on the Cowboys compared to the Dolphins. But three of the pre-snap variety showed a lack of discipline.
When mental mistakes are added to breakdowns in execution, teams start to sputter. A Dak Prescott fumble at the 1-yard line on the Cowboys' opening drive wasted an opportunity to set the tone, especially since the Dolphins went on to score first, albeit a field goal.
Dallas was rolling during their five-game winning streak by outscoring their opponents by a combined 201-85. But the Cowboys have hit a rough patch over the past two weeks with back-to-back losses.
Mike McCarthy's squad knew how important Sunday's contest was.
"It was a juggernaut game," the head coach told reporters. "That's what we expected. … It's a challenge in these games, because you know it's gonna come down to one play. And they probably made a play or two more than we did. It was a hard-fought game. We may have to go on the road, obviously, to get this done. I think we got a lot that we can draw from this. …
"We got to play better than we did today, because you have to play above it on the road, and road warriors we will be."
No one should expect the last line to come true, since the Cowboys are now 3-5 away from AT&T Stadium. Fortunately, Dallas hosts the Detroit Lions next weekend before traveling to the nation's capital to face a struggling Washington Commanders squad.
The mistakes and road woes are a real problem right now, since the Cowboys currently own the NFC's fifth seed and they're not set to host a playoff contest.
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
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DL Christian Barmore Is Real Difference-Maker for New England Patriots
While the primary stories coming out of the New England Patriots' 26-23 victory Sunday over the Denver Broncos will revolve around quarterback Bailey Zappe and Chad Ryland's fantastic 56-yard game-winning field goal after missing two earlier kicks, defensive lineman Christian Barmore was the best player on the field.
Barmore dominated. He's entering the realm of the game's best interior defenders with how disruptive he is on a down-by-down basis.
As NESN's Zack Cox noted, the 2021 second-round draft pick registered three sacks, four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and drew a critical holding penalty in the fourth quarter.
Elite pass-rushers are difficult to find. The previous statement rings especially true regarding interior defenders. However, their value to a defense is immeasurable, because quick wins and collapsing pockets will wreck an entire offensive game plan.
Barmore has a wonderful combination of strength to play the point of attack, with more than enough quickness to beat interior blockers off the snap. His 8.5 sacks are now tied for the second-most among defensive tackles.
The Broncos didn't have an answer for the Patriots defender throughout the night. The performance is exactly why New England must approach Barmore about a contract extension after this season.
As a third-year pro, the initial window for the defensive lineman to negotiate a new deal opens this coming offseason. While the Patriots continue to search for a new starting quarterback, they already have the most vital piece in place on the other side of the ball.
Massive Reassessment Should Be Forthcoming for Denver Broncos
All the momentum the Broncos built coming out of their bye week came to a screeching halt in recent weeks. Denver's three-game winning streak quickly turned into losing three of their past four games.
At 7-8, Denver isn't a serious playoff contender, even with the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders still on the schedule. The Broncos must win out and require serious help from the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to completely fall apart and surrender the one-game lead they each currently hold over Denver.
If/when the Broncos miss the playoffs, they likely need to go in a different direction at multiple spots, specifically the skill positions.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has been better this season, but he still throws too many YOLO balls that place his team in a bad position. The Patriots could have easily claimed a victory without the need for last-second heroics if cornerback Shaun Wade came down with an interception in the end zone as the game hung in the balance.
Denver must eat Wilson's $35.4 million salary-cap charge no matter what next season. However, the organization should aggressively scout and potentially select one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 class. Head coach Sean Payton can mold the offense the way he likes with a quarterback on the upswing.
Earlier this season, the Broncos were open to the idea of trading wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. One or both could (and should) easily be moved. Neither truly tilts the Broncos' offense in the team's favor.
These may be tough decisions, but a mediocre season isn't good enough considering the bluster of Payton's acquisition and hire.
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