Fireworks shot out from the top of the video board at Empower Field. Fans cheered in celebration. There were a few smiles in the locker room.
But the idea of missing the playoffs for the eighth straight season hung over everything after the Broncos’ too-little, too-late, 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon.
“They are NFL games (and) they are still hard to win no matter what. It still sucks and it is bittersweet,” inside linebacker Alex Singleton said.
While Broncos quarterback Jarret Stidham took a knee midfield, solidifying his first career win as a starter, the Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers secured victories, ending any hope of Denver playing meaningful football in January.