The Broncos are already in a must-win situation

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When the Denver Broncos kick off on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, they will already be in the trap of must-win games. Yes, every game is a must win, but if it has to be said in Week 7, something has gone horribly wrong.

Ian St. Clair and I looked at the current Broncos situation on the Mile High Report Radio Podcast. On the outside, 3-2 is not terrible. Look deeper, and it becomes apparent that a loss on Sunday could be a continuation of a death spiral that began with the New York Giants.

Coming off the bye week, and losing to a broken down Giants team was tough, and it put the Broncos in a difficult spot. The next four games are the toughest stretch of the season. It starts against the Chargers in Los Angeles. They have been playing well, and have a defense that will cause problems for Trevor Siemian.

Follow up a tough road game against a Chargers team that Denver barely beat at home with a Monday night game in Kansas City, and the road ahead looks dark and scary. Finish off the road trip with a long east coast trip to Philadelphia to play the early game, and you can see where this is headed.

After three difficult road games in a row, the New England Patriots will be in Denver. It isn’t inconceivable to think that Denver could come out of this stretch at 4-5 or even 3-6.

It would not be the end of the season to sit at 4-5. Even 3-6 is a place that the season could be recovered. However, if the hole starts to get too big, it is not likely the Broncos will make the playoffs. They have to find their spark against the Chargers in Week 7.

If C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles can get the running game going. If Siemian doesn’t have to throw the ball over 35 times. If the defense can stop the Chargers tight ends, and Melvin Gordon on plays in the middle of the field. If Von Miller can wreak havoc in the backfield. If Brandon McManus can make a field goal. If, if, if.

Since the Dallas game, the Broncos have left every game with more questions than answers. Too many “ifs.” The confidence that fans felt after Week 2 has turned to trepidation over the direction the team is going. Vance Joseph and his coaching staff have put themselves in a difficult situation. It will take some serious work over the next four games to get out of it. Especially since after just 5 games, the Broncos are now in the dreaded, “Must-Win” zone.

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