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5 takeaways from Broncos' 34-26 win over Packers
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- 5 takeaways from Broncos' 34-26 win over Packers
The Denver Broncos clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs with a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. Here are five quick takeaways from the game.
1. Courtland Sutton is a franchise legend: The veteran receiver hauled in seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, passing Ed McCaffrey (6,200 yards) for fifth place on Denver's all-time receiving list with 6,226 career yards. The only players remaining ahead of Sutton are franchise legends Rod Smith, Demaryius Thomas , Shannon Sharpe and Lionel Taylor. That's elite company to be in, and Sutton still has four more years on his contract to continue climbing the list.
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2. Broncos ' defense made plays they needed: Yes, Vance Joseph's unit allowed some big plays and 362 net yards to Green Bay 's offense, but they also held the Packers to 1-of-4 in the red zone. In addition to forcing field goals, Denver forced two turnovers with interceptions from Pat Surtain and Riley Moss , and they sacked Jordan Love three times (marking just the third time in 2025 that Love took three or more sacks in a game). The Broncos' defense made key plays when they needed them, and the good outweighed the bad in an AFC vs. NFC shootout.
3. Riley Moss will never get the benefit of the doubt: Moss was the victim of another questionable pass interference penalty (CBS commentator Tony Romo disagreed with the call ), and the Packers scored a touchdown one play later. Moss has a reputation for DPI fouls and officials know it, so he's under extra scrutiny each week. Because of his reputation, Moss will rarely have calls go his way. That doesn't mean the CB is absolved of any wrongdoing on any DPI fouls, but he didn't deserve the flag on Sunday, and officials have been extra harsh on him this season.
4. Denver can go far with Bo Nix : The second-year QB has had perhaps the best four-game stretch of his career since Week 11, and that continued with what may have been the best game of his career on Sunday. Nix went 23-of-34 passing for 302 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers while adding 12 yards on the ground. If he continues to play at this level, Nix can help the team go far in the NFL playoffs.
5. The Broncos are legitimate Super Bowl contenders: Denver remains the No. 1 seed in the AFC with three games remaining . If the Broncos end up clinching the top seed, they would be just two playoff wins away from reaching the Super Bowl. After beating one of the NFC's best on Sunday, Denver proved that the team's 11-2 start was no fluke. This is a legitimate title contender, a club that has won 12 consecutive games at home. Opposing teams will not want to travel to Empower Field at Mile High during the postseason.
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Up next on the Broncos' schedule is a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 21. With a win and an L.A. loss, Denver could clinch the AFC West in Week 16, and they could move closer toward the AFC's No. 1 seed.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 5 takeaways from 34-26 win over Packers
