The Denver Broncos have finally run out of magic

It’s a situation we’ve seen umpteen times over the last two seasons for the Denver Broncos: Offense under-achieves the entire contest, defense miraculously keeps them in the game until the ‘O’ miraculously breaks through late.

In that script we’ve read so many times, the story concludes with the offense making just enough plays or the defense scoring a touchdown. The team rolls along with smiles on their faces, their glaring issues beautifully covered with a big, fat ‘W’ on the schedule.

Not anymore.

In their last two meetings with formidable opponents—the latest on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans—the Broncos storybook script has gone into the kiln. Two weeks ago—against the Chiefs—it was the vaunted defense that fell apart late in the game. On Sunday in Nashville, it was the offense that failed the team with the win literally on their fingertips.

Somehow, some way, the Orange & Blue were able to overcome an abysmal 3-for-11 showing on third downs—notching their first conversion late in the third quarter—just 18 yards on the ground, and zero points in the first three quarters. Yes, despite all of that, they found themselves in a position to take the lead with just under five minutes remaining.

It was the first time since 2011 that the Broncos had nothing on the scoreboard through three periods of play. You may remember that game, it was Tim Tebow’s first start that year; he led the Broncos back with the first of many improbable victories in that season. Denver needed magic on that day in Miami, they needed a bit of magic on Sunday in Nashville.

The Broncos are out of magic, though.

With just under five minutes remaining, a perfectly thrown ball from Trevor Siemian—who played more than admirably in the second half—hit the hands of Bennie Fowler and dropped to the ground in the end zone, a chance to take the lead squandered.

A few minutes later, after another classic hold from the defense, Denver had the ball again, needing just a field goal to send the game to overtime. Siemian hit tight end A.J. Derby for a first down that brought the offense within 20 yards of comfortable range for kicker Brandon McManus. As Derby was going down, though, he was stripped by Avery Williamson who covered the ball for Tennessee and sealed the game. The Broncos victim of play that it seemed only went in their favor over the last year and a half.

“We had our opportunities,” head coach Gary Kubiak remarked to KOA after the game. “As rough of a start as it was, we had our chances to win the football game. Give them credit; they did, and we didn’t.”

Finally, after all this time, the Denver Broncos’ issues have caught up with them. The shaky offensive line, the non-existent run game, the slow starts; you know, that same formula they somehow rode to a World Championship last season? It’s that same formula that could very well cost them a seat at the playoff table this time around.

“We just didn’t do enough,” said a frustrated Kubiak. “Very, very disappointing.”

Unfortunately for the Orange & Blue, Sunday was their easiest matchup in their final four games. They finish the season against New England, Kansas City and Oakland; all three of those teams are better than they are, all legitimate contenders to win the Super Bowl, all legitimate contenders for the No. 1 overall seed. The Broncos will merely be fighting for the final seed available and an impending rematch with one of those three.

To win that fight, Denver will likely need to win two of those games gainst the AFC’s cream of the crop; it would be a magical finish that could propel a special run. Unfortunately for the Orange & Blue faithful, though, it appears the magic well has run dry.