Overall, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likes where the Broncos are as the postseason approaches. Denver is a win against a shorthanded Los Angeles Chargers team from securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and, to Lombardi’s mind, the offense overall finds itself in a pretty good spot. “We’ve bee n playing a little bit better the past few games,” Lombardi said Thursday. “Probably since the first Vegas game, really happy with the way (quarterback Bo Nix) has been progressing. You’re always trying to ascend. And that becomes even more urgent as the playoffs start. Certainly there are things that we’re always trying to improve on and play better.” One trouble spot: Drops. The Broncos, according to Pro Football Reference, are second in the NFL in drops at 42. Their 7.5.% drop rate is easily the highest since PFR started tracking the stat in 2018. Denver hadn’t had a season above 6.2 in any of the previous seven seasons. Under head coach Sean Payton, Denver’s drop rate went from 4% in 2023 to 5.8% last year to now 7.5%. “The drops are a big thing we’re trying to clean up,” Lombardi said. Running backs Tyler Badie (13.8%) and RJ Harvey (11.1%) join tight end Evan Engram (11.1%) as regular targets with double-digit drop rates, while a couple of more seldomly targeted players like running back Jaleel McLaughlin (one drop on four targets) and tight end Nate Adkins (three on 11) have elevated rates, too. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton’s 6.6% drop rate is right in line with where he’s been each of the past three seasons, though the raw number for Denver’s leading receiver is tied for third-most in the NFL with Engram, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb and New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor. Fairly clean bill of health. The Broncos had a fairly clean bill of health again Thursday. The only player on the 53-man roster who didn’t practice was inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), who did conditioning work on the side field. Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) took the final step to clear the league’s protocol Thursday when he practiced fully. Tight end Nate Adkins (knee) also was a full participant. Those two players are on track to play Sunday against the Chargers. For the Chargers, OLB Khalil Mack and S Derwin James each practiced in a limited capacity after being DNPs on Wednesday. Neither has an injury designation and they were limited due to rest. Same with OLB Tuli Tuipulotu for the second straight day. QB Justin Herbert, already ruled out by coach Jim Harbaugh, did not practice Thursday. Run game percolating. The Broncos haven’t run the ball as efficiently since J.K. Dobbins was injured in early November, though they’ve found ways to run the ball in key situations at times. Overall, the numbers are down substantially. “There’s been some key moments when it’s been good,” Lombardi said. “Always striving to be more consistent and more explosive. We think RJ is coming along in that way. Think Jaleel has been running the ball well — he’s had some big runs for us. Related Articles Sean Payton’s instructions for playoff atmosphere: ‘No shell games on the scoreboard’ Broncos’ Sean Payton calls Chargers matchup a ‘playoff game’ despite absence of Justin Herbert Should Sean Payton win coach of the year? (Broncos Mailbag) Broncos QB Bo Nix’s ‘Overdogs’ slogan has raised over $25,000 to combat homelessness in Denver Broncos 2025 NFL power rankings tracker: How national experts rank Denver entering Week 18 “It’s always something we’re looking to improve on, but we’re confident in it.” Bragging rights. It’s College Football Playoff time, which means bragging rights are particularly coveted in NFL locker rooms. One perhaps unlikely pairing: Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was thrilled to see Miami dominate Ohio State on New Years Even. That’s because one of his sons, Casey, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Hurricanes. His oldest, Christian, is now an offensive analyst at Appalachian State but was with Texas as a long snapper last year during the CFP. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis. ...read more read less