Stokley: Broncos have ‘talent’ to go 5-2 down the stretch, 8-8 overall

Heading into the bye at 3-6, the Denver Broncos have an uphill battle to avoid a second-consecutive losing season.

Denver would need to go 5-2 down the stretch, which features games at the Los Angeles Chargers (6-2) and Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) and at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2-1).

However, “Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley said he’s optimistic that this Broncos squad can pull off a 5-2 run to ensure an 8-8 record.

“They are a really, really close football team. And it’s going to be really hard for them to go 5-2 down the stretch,” Stokley said. “But they’re capable of doing it. They have the talent.”

Stokley said to ensure they can win five more games, Denver has to not only play better but coach better.

“Obviously, they’ve got to play better. They have to coach better. They have to coach better in situational football, in pressure situations,” Stokley said. “And if they do those things, yes, they can go 5-2. Absolutely. This football team is capable of doing that.”

An 8-8 mark would ensure not only the Broncos of a non-losing season but also of back-to-back losing seasons, something which has not happened to the franchise since 1972.

Anything less than 8-8 would also mean Denver could no longer boast that they’ve been to more Super Bowls than losing seasons since Pat Bowlen became the owner in 1984.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.