The Denver Broncos are desperate.

They have lost three of their last five games, and are sitting at the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs, with a number of teams looking to bump them from the postseason picture.

The Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans are all right behind them and hoping that the Broncos will slip up again so they can take their spot. And with the toughest schedule remaining in the NFL, Denver will be walking through a minefield towards the playoffs.

Test No. 1 will take place on Sunday afternoon, when the 11-2 New England Patriots come to town.

The Broncos eliminated New England in the AFC Championship game last year on their way to Super Bowl 50, but the Patriots are playing top-notch football right now, while the Broncos are just trying to hang on for their playoff lives.

Can they pull things together and get a much-needed home win this week?

Here are five questions that we have for the Broncos as they face the Patriots.

1. Can the defense get tougher against the run?

Sure, the defense stiffened up in the second half last week against the Titans, but so much of the damage had already been done. Tennessee rushed for nearly 140 yards in the first half and controlled the ball for over 20 of the first 30 minutes.

The Patriots running game started the season slow, but it has grown into a strength. Currently New England is grinding out over 115 rushing yards per game.

Pats running back LeGarrette Blount has already rushed for over 1,000 yards and is averaging 4 yards per carry.

If New England can pick up 4 yards per rush on Sunday, it’s going to be a long day for the home team.

2. Will the offensive line show any sign of life whatsoever?

It seems as though every single week we are wondering if this group will ever show up. And it also seems as though every week, we are disappointed.

Broncos quarterbacks have been sacked 36 times and have been hit too many times to count. Denver is currently ranked 27th in rushing yards per game, at 93.8, and the Patriots won’t be an easy test, as they have been solid against the run all year.

But at some point, can this offensive line do something positive?

3. Can the special teams provide a boost?

The Denver Broncos special teams unit has been a rollercoaster this season.

The play of kicker Brandon McManus and punter Riley Dixon has been excellent, but the rest of the special teams has been extremely inconsistent.

Against the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, they allowed big returns that proved to be costly.

But they have also provided big plays of their own, like they did against the New Orleans Saints when they blocked an extra point attempt and returned it for the game-winning score.

If the game on Sunday is close, the Broncos can help their chances with a big play provided by their special teams.

4. Can the defense stop the big play?

We know that Tom Brady likes to make the big play, and he has been very good at it.

This season, he is connecting on 55 percent of his attempts of 15-plus yards

Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, he went eight of 10 for 249 yards with two touchdowns, on his passes of over 15 yards.

And last year in the AFC Championship against the Broncos, Brady had six plays of more than 15 yards against one of the best defenses in NFL history.

While this year’s version of the Orange Crush hasn’t been quite as stout, they still have been good at stopping the big play. Through the first 13 games they have allowed just 20 passing plays of over 25 yards.

Can they keep Brady under wraps on Sunday?

5. Can the Mile High City continue to be Tom Brady’s nemesis?

Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion, two-time NFL MVP and 11-time Pro Bowler. He either holds or is on track to break every passing record in league history, and many consider him the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

Yet, for all his success, he struggles mightily in the Mile High City.

In his 14 seasons, he’s just 2-7 in Denver.

Maybe he doesn’t like the thin air. Maybe Broncos Country is too intimidating. Or maybe the Orange Crush defense just has his number.

Whatever it is, let’s hope it continues this week.