Broncos' ongoing struggles could cost them playoff berth

The road to the playoffs just got much more difficult for the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

After a 13-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Broncos (8-5) are clinging — just barely — to the No. 6 seed in the AFC. But they'll lose that spot to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night if the Baltimore Ravens beat the New England Patriots.

There are plenty of reasons for concern.

NFL playoff picture: Field finalized with NFC North settled

First, there is the strength of the conference, and especially the AFC West, which Denver has owned since 2011. The Broncos have now fallen two games behind Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. One of those teams is likely to win the division now, and the other has the inside track to the first wild-card spot.

Then there is the Broncos remaining schedule: a home game next week against AFC East-leading New England, a road game against the Chiefs on Christmas night, and a Week 17 game at home against Oakland. The current combined record of those remaining three opponents? 30-8.

“The schedule is nasty, but we can win those games,” outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. “Everyone has to have that mentality of do or die."

The direct path to postseason involves simply winning. Sweeping their final three games would give Denver a good shot.

Broncos' Chris Harris: Harry Douglas tried to 'end my career'

But the Broncos have issues to address, particularly on offense, before they can hope to go on a hot streak. Denver has scored just 23 points in the past two weeks, a win against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and then the loss at Tennessee.

Though quarterback Trevor Siemian, who missed the Jacksonville game with a foot injury, has strung together two strong passing games, the rest of the offense is struggling. The Broncos converted just three of 11 third downs against Tennessee, including getting stuffed on two third-and-1 plays in the first half, and have converted just 17% of third downs in the past two weeks.

The running game continues to struggle as well. Denver’s backs averaged just 2 yards per carry Sunday, gained just 18 total yards, and newcomer Justin Forsett fumbled in the first quarter.

Siemian, who threw for 334 yards and a touchdown against the Titans, is finding success with top receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders but getting little help elsewhere in the passing game.

Titans hang on in final minute vs. Broncos

The defense, too, has its own big question, unable to effectively stop the run for weeks. Tennessee rushed for 180 yards, nearly all of it in the first half as the Titans built a 13-0 lead. As good as the Broncos pass defense has been and continues to be, until the run defense improves, opponents will continue to run right at Denver.

“This is the time where you either quit or keep fighting,” cornerback Chris Harris said. “I know this team is going to keep fighting. We have three important games to win, and we can do it.”

***

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones

PHOTOS: Week 14 NFL action