With long string of losing seasons over, Broncos have good chance to end 8-year playoff drought

DENVER — One ignominious streak down, one more to go for the Denver Broncos, who turned an ugly showing into a pretty comfortable rout of the Indianapolis Colts to clinch the franchise’s first winning season since 2016. “Good teams respond on a day like today.” Nix said after the Broncos’ overcame a slow start, his first three-interception day and a variety of missteps and miscalculations. It’s a good sign that we’re winning these close games, the tough ones that don’t necessarily look pretty, but we’re just finding ways to win.” Coupled with the Chargers’ loss Sunday, the Broncos and L.A. flipped playoff positions with the Broncos now in sixth and the Chargers in seventh. The Broncos might be without their top two cornerbacks for that game, although Patrick Surtain II walked without any noticeable limp at a charity event Monday in which he partnered with Raising Cane’s restaurant chain to give away 100 bicycles to kids in need during the holiday season. But those two guys really played well and I was encouraged.” Abrams-Draine replaced Wallace late in the Broncos’ 41-32 win over the Browns on Dec. 2.