After securing their tenth win in a row and eleventh of the season, the Denver Broncos begin the week on the cusp of achieving something they haven’t in quite some time. The AFC West title and top seed in the AFC playoff race are there for the taking. So long as the Broncos take care of business down the home stretch.

Broncos Country should be ecstatic with where the team is at with four games remaining. What’s even better is the Kansas City Chiefs reign as kings of the division is finally over. It seems like the AFC itself may be turning a new leaf—a changing of the guard. A handful of different teams are paving their way toward the postseason, giving this year’s potential slate of playoff opponents a more unique look compared to years prior.

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The last four games of the season for Denver won’t be easy. Two are against division leaders in the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars. The others? Rival battles with a desperate Chiefs team on Christmas and the Los Angeles Chargers to finish out the season at the beginning of January.

“We have a stretch here with some real good football teams coming in and focusing on what we can do to win the division. The Chargers are very much alive in that battle,” stated Head Coach Sean Payton.

There is little room for error if Denver hopes to win the West and earn the AFC’s top seed. They sport the important tiebreakers over the New England Patriots who are also 11-2. However, on paper, the Patriots have a bit easier schedule in their last four games.

Nevertheless, this year’s Broncos are a battle-tested team who’ve earned the gritty, gutsy, and hard-nosed identity they’ve shown on a weekly basis. Why can’t this year’s Broncos be the top dog in the AFC? Payton believes the team’s ability to earn tough wins have been a hallmark of the season. Moreover, that their weekly preparation has suited them well thus far.

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“There’s a formula that your team knows is necessary because it’s happened. The formula of putting a good Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in. Many say the games are won on those three days before it’s ever played,” stated Payton.

“We’re a more experienced team having had that success, having had some tough games, close games, but I would say that I think we’re a smarter team today relative to understanding the fine line in our league,” he added.

For Week 15, the Broncos will battle a formidable competitor in the Packers. At 9-3-1, Green Bay sits atop of the NFC North and also has a chance to be the NFC’s top seed. Their offense powered by quarterback Jordan Love and running back Joshua Jacobs has been hitting their stride recently. Additionally, their offensive line has been tremendous protecting Love, and they usually play mistake free football.

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Their defense? Also, quite good. They are finally starting to get healthy and have done well limiting opposing team’s scoring ability. Spearheaded by All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, they certainly get after opposing quarterbacks. Winning the turnover battle on Sunday will be huge, and it’s important to note the Packers’ defense has generated at least one turnover in seven of their last eight games.

Folks, it’s the final countdown for our beloved Broncos. Each game from here on out carries extreme significance. If we’ve learned anything this season, it’s that you can never count Denver out. Even so, they will have to be at their best this weekend to take down Green Bay. If they do, that will get them one step closer to winning the West and earning the coveted #1 seed in the AFC.