8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, winning streaks are rare feats—they require consistency, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity across multiple weeks. For the Denver Broncos, their 8-game winning streak in the 2024 season wasn’t just a hot stretch; it was a transformation. After starting the season 3-4 and facing questions about their playoff viability, the Broncos reeled off eight consecutive victories to climb to the top of the AFC West and establish themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. 8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos breaks down how this streak unfolded, the key plays and players that defined it, and why it stands as one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent Broncos history.

8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos first traces the origins of the streak, which began with a critical Week 8 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals. At the time, the Broncos were coming off a demoralizing home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and sat below .500 in the competitive AFC West. Facing a Bengals team with a top-10 defense, the Broncos leaned on their loaded wide receiver room and a late-game defensive stop to secure a 23-20 overtime victory. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yard strike to Courtland Sutton in overtime, while the defense sacked Joe Burrow three times and forced a turnover on downs in the final minute of regulation. This win didn’t just snap a two-game losing streak—it ignited a spark. “That game was a turning point,” Wilson said in a postgame press conference. “We realized we had the talent to beat anyone—we just needed to play with consistency.” From there, the Broncos never looked back, rolling through their next seven opponents with a mix of offensive firepower and defensive grit.

A defining feature of 8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos was the team’s offensive consistency, which saw the Broncos average 28.6 points per game during the streak—up from 21.3 points per game in their first seven weeks. Wilson, who had struggled with turnovers early in the season, threw 18 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions during the stretch, posting a passer rating of 108.9 (his highest in any 8-game span as a Bronco). The wide receivers were the stars: Sutton led the team with 42 catches for 580 yards and 6 touchdowns, Jerry Jeudy excelled on third downs (converting 14 of 18 targets into first downs), and Marvin Mims Jr. provided explosive plays with four catches of 40+ yards. Running back Javonte Williams also played a key role, rushing for 720 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a 4-yard game-winning run in a Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns. What made the offense so dangerous was its balance: the Broncos rushed for 135+ yards in six of the eight games, keeping defenses off-balance and allowing Wilson to exploit single coverage on the outside. “We weren’t just relying on one player or one play,” said offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “We were executing our entire playbook, and that made us nearly impossible to stop.”

8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos also owed much to the team’s defensive resurgence, which saw the Broncos climb from 18th to 6th in the NFL in points allowed per game during the streak. The defensive line, led by Von Miller and Dre’Mont Jones, was the backbone, recording 26 sacks and 12 forced fumbles over the eight games. In a Week 13 divisional showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, the line sacked Patrick Mahomes four times and forced two fumbles, holding the Chiefs to just 17 points in a 24-17 Broncos win. Cornerback Pat Surtain II, who returned from an ankle injury midway through the streak, shut down opposing No. 1 wide receivers, allowing just 18 catches on 42 targets (42.9%) and recording 3 interceptions. The secondary also benefited from improved safety play, with Justin Simmons recording two interceptions and three pass breakups. For the Denver Broncos, this defensive dominance wasn’t just about stopping opponents—it was about creating opportunities for the offense. The defense forced 15 turnovers during the streak, leading to 78 points (an average of 9.8 points per game off turnovers)—a critical edge in close contests.

Another key factor in 8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos was the team’s ability to win close games, with five of the eight victories decided by 7 points or fewer. This resilience was on full display in a Week 10 win over the Green Bay Packers, where the Broncos erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 27-24. Wilson threw two touchdown passes in the final 5:30 minutes, including a 22-yard game-winner to Jeudy with 30 seconds left, while the defense forced a Packers punt on their final drive. In Week 14, the Broncos faced another fourth-quarter deficit, this time against the New England Patriots, but rallied behind a 52-yard field goal by Wil Lutz as time expired to win 26-23. These close wins weren’t just lucky—they were the result of clutch preparation and mental toughness. Head coach Sean Payton emphasized situational drills in practice during the streak, including late-game two-minute drills and red-zone simulations, which paid off in high-pressure moments. “Winning close games is a skill,” Payton said. “It’s about staying calm, executing your plays, and trusting your teammates. Our guys did that every week during this streak.” For the Denver Broncos, these close victories also built confidence, proving they could overcome adversity and win even when things didn’t go their way.

The final impact of 8-Game Winning Streak for the Denver Broncos was its transformation of the team’s playoff outlook. Before the streak, the Broncos were considered long shots to make the playoffs, with most analysts predicting they’d finish third or fourth in the AFC West. By the end of the streak, the Broncos had clinched a playoff spot and were in contention for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, with a two-game lead over the Chiefs in the division. The streak also earned the Broncos national respect: they jumped from unranked to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 NFL Poll and became a popular pick to reach the Super Bowl. Beyond the standings, the streak united the team and its fan base, reigniting excitement in Denver after two disappointing seasons. Fans packed Empower Field at Mile High for the final two home games of the streak, with sellout crowds creating a raucous atmosphere that opponents described as “one of the loudest in the NFL.” For the Denver Broncos, this 8-game winning streak wasn’t just about wins and losses—it was about rediscovering their identity as a winning franchise. As they entered the playoffs, the Broncos carried with them the momentum and confidence of a team that had proven it could beat anyone, anywhere, in any situation. And while the streak would eventually end in Week 16 with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, its impact would linger—defining the 2024 season as one of the most memorable in recent Broncos history.