The Denver Broncos are coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1972, a truly remarkable feat. The Broncos are also just three years removed from a Super Bowl title, so it’s not as though Denver has been bereft of success recently.

However, it is no secret that the Broncos aren’t considered a very good football team. Just about everyone is ranking them at the bottom of a loaded AFC West that includes the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders.

Could Denver surprise some people and contend for a playoff spot this year?

It doesn’t seem all that likely, especially in a very deep AFC, but the Broncos feel pretty good about having Joe Flacco under center, and they still have a really good defense spearheaded by Von Miller.

Regardless, here are three X-factors for Denver to gain a playoff berth in 2019:

3. Will Royce Freeman Take Over as the No. 1 Back?

In spite of Phillip Lindsay’s spectacular rookie campaign, the word on the street is that the Broncos prefer Royce Freeman to Lindsay and may give Freeman the bulk of the carries in 2019.

Whether this becomes a good idea remains to be seen. Lindsay finished with 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry this past season, but Denver seems to like Freeman more than Lindsay, who went undrafted.

Of course, both running backs will touch the ball a lot this year regardless of who the featured back is, but the Broncos’ decision in prioritizing which back they prefer may make all the difference for Denver this season.

2. Who will Step Up as the No. 1 Receiver?

The Broncos’ receiver corps is in a state of flux right now. Emmanuel Sanders’ future is cloudy after tearing his Achilles in December. Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton are largely unproven.

We can talk about whether Flacco is done all we want, but it might not matter if he doesn’t have any receivers to throw to.

Sutton did have a solid rookie campaign in 2018, hauling in 42 receptions for 704 yards and four touchdowns. But obviously, there is a big difference between having a decent rookie year and being a No. 1 wideout.

As for Hamilton, he caught 30 passes for 243 yards and a couple of scores in his rookie year.

Neither player is what you would call an ace wide receiver at this point, so their development will be crucial in determining whether the Broncos are a surprise team or an afterthought this coming season.

1. Will the Offensive Line Rebound?

The Broncos don’t have a ton of proven talent on the offensive side of the ball, which makes the offensive line’s job all the more critical.

Denver’s offensive line struggled in 2018 due to injuries to Ronald Leary and Matt Paradis. While Leary is ready to return, Paradis is gone. The Broncos did land Ja’Wuan James in free agency, which is huge, and if he fits in, Denver could actually develop a really good offensive line.

The unit did a solid job last year when it was healthy, so it’s not as though the Broncos’ line stinks.

It might just be a matter of everyone staying on the field. If that happens, the Broncos might make the offense look better than it really is, which could be great news for Vic Fangio’s club.