Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Nate Adkins (45) celebrates his touchdown with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) and offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (63) in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Broncos snap playoff drought, return to postseason for first time since Super Bowl 50 win

Broncos back in playoffs after 8 years with Nix, Payton leading.

The Denver Broncos have finally ended their playoff drought. It took 14 starting quarterbacks, five head coaches, and nearly a decade, but they’re back in the postseason.

On Sunday, the Broncos demolished the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-0, to secure their first playoff spot since their Super Bowl 50 victory in 2015. The Chiefs rested several starters, but Denver didn’t hold back, dominating in a statement win.

A long-awaited return to relevance

This victory marked the end of the longest playoff drought for any team following a Super Bowl win in NFL history. The Broncos, now the AFC’s No. 7 seed, improved to 10-7, hitting double-digit wins for the first time since that championship season. They will face the second-seeded Buffalo Bills in Wild Card Weekend.

It's been 8 years, 11 months, and 29 days since the Broncos last playoff appearance.

That comes out to 3,286 days.

TODAY, THE DROUGHT ENDS!

THIS. IS. THE. END. pic.twitter.com/doCjVWVMCA
— BroncoFanatic97 (@BroncoFanatic97) January 5, 2025

Quarterback Bo Nix reflected on the accomplishment after the game: “It’s fun to clinch a playoff spot and the last game of the year, against a divisional team, and it’s just kind of a great story. But now playoff time starts, and our goal wasn’t just to make the playoffs, even though it hadn’t been done in a while. It’s for a lot more than that.”

A turbulent path to the postseason

Denver’s road to the playoffs was anything but smooth. The team had two earlier chances to clinch, losing to the Chargers and Bengals in back-to-back weeks. Sunday’s win finally sealed the deal, making the Broncos the third AFC West team in the postseason alongside Kansas City and Los Angeles.

The franchise has undergone major upheaval since its last playoff appearance. Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50, leaving a revolving door at quarterback that included Trevor Siemian, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Russell Wilson. Rookie Bo Nix, Denver’s 14th starting QB since Manning, has been a revelation. In just 17 starts, Nix has helped steer the team back into playoff contention under head coach Sean Payton.

Sean Payton’s impact

Payton, now in his second year as head coach, is the fifth person to lead the Broncos since Gary Kubiak. His tenure has brought much-needed stability and a renewed sense of purpose to a team that had been stuck in mediocrity for years. The partnership between Payton and Nix appears to be the catalyst Denver needed to return to relevance.

Looking ahead

The Broncos head to Buffalo for what promises to be a tough Wild Card matchup. While making the playoffs is a milestone, Nix and Payton have made it clear this team isn’t satisfied with just showing up. The Broncos’ return to the postseason is significant, but whether they can extend their run remains the bigger question.

The Denver Broncos "No Fly Zone" in 2015 ✈️✖️pic.twitter.com/Yrg8VsJQy2
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 30, 2024

After nearly a decade of struggles, the Broncos have finally re-entered the conversation. For a franchise and fanbase desperate for success, this is a moment to savor—but the real work begins now.

Image: Imagn

Denver Broncos

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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