MOtorboat
12-04-2008, 02:48 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=hotread12/afcplayoffpicture
The Denver Part:
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos (7-5, first)
Analysis: What do the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos all have in common?
Here's a hint: They don't all have 11-1 records.
Each has a three-game lead in its respective division, along with Arizona. While the Giants and Titans have both rolled out 11-1 records, they have the same advantage in their divisions as the Broncos and Cardinals enjoy. Both of those teams are 7-5.
Remaining schedule
Sunday: vs. Kansas City
Dec. 14: at Carolina
Dec. 21: vs. Buffalo
Dec. 28: at San Diego
Believe it or not, the Broncos are a near lock to make the playoffs. The Broncos, who haven't made the postseason since 2005 and won a combined 16 games the past two seasons, are slugging their way to a decent season. They will most likely advance to the postseason because prohibitive preseason favorite San Diego has stumbled badly. San Diego is 4-8. The Broncos' magic number to win the AFC West is two.
Denver will be an interesting playoff foe. While the Broncos have lost to Oakland and Kansas City, they also have some nice wins on their 2008 résumé, most notably on the road against Atlanta and the New York Jets. Denver dominated the Jets on Sunday, cooling off New York, which had back-to-back road wins at New England and Tennessee.
If Denver can keep the turnovers to a minimum on offense and get healthy on defense, it could be a factor in the postseason. Barring a major collapse, Denver will get the chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
Difference-maker: A player to watch down the stretch is left cornerback Champ Bailey. He could be a game changer for Denver in the postseason. Besides quarterback Jay Cutler, Bailey is Denver's best player, but he has been out with a severe groin injury since Oct. 20.
Bailey, expected to return this week against the Chiefs, makes Denver a better defense by his mere presence. He is rarely challenged, he shuts down half the field in the passing game and he is a standout in run support. In the postseason, Denver could face a pass-happy team such as Indianapolis in the first round. Bailey's return will be a much-needed bonus as the playoffs approach.
Ticket to Tampa? Denver has a puncher's (Cutler) chance.
-- Bill Williamson, AFC West blogger
The Denver Part:
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos (7-5, first)
Analysis: What do the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos all have in common?
Here's a hint: They don't all have 11-1 records.
Each has a three-game lead in its respective division, along with Arizona. While the Giants and Titans have both rolled out 11-1 records, they have the same advantage in their divisions as the Broncos and Cardinals enjoy. Both of those teams are 7-5.
Remaining schedule
Sunday: vs. Kansas City
Dec. 14: at Carolina
Dec. 21: vs. Buffalo
Dec. 28: at San Diego
Believe it or not, the Broncos are a near lock to make the playoffs. The Broncos, who haven't made the postseason since 2005 and won a combined 16 games the past two seasons, are slugging their way to a decent season. They will most likely advance to the postseason because prohibitive preseason favorite San Diego has stumbled badly. San Diego is 4-8. The Broncos' magic number to win the AFC West is two.
Denver will be an interesting playoff foe. While the Broncos have lost to Oakland and Kansas City, they also have some nice wins on their 2008 résumé, most notably on the road against Atlanta and the New York Jets. Denver dominated the Jets on Sunday, cooling off New York, which had back-to-back road wins at New England and Tennessee.
If Denver can keep the turnovers to a minimum on offense and get healthy on defense, it could be a factor in the postseason. Barring a major collapse, Denver will get the chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
Difference-maker: A player to watch down the stretch is left cornerback Champ Bailey. He could be a game changer for Denver in the postseason. Besides quarterback Jay Cutler, Bailey is Denver's best player, but he has been out with a severe groin injury since Oct. 20.
Bailey, expected to return this week against the Chiefs, makes Denver a better defense by his mere presence. He is rarely challenged, he shuts down half the field in the passing game and he is a standout in run support. In the postseason, Denver could face a pass-happy team such as Indianapolis in the first round. Bailey's return will be a much-needed bonus as the playoffs approach.
Ticket to Tampa? Denver has a puncher's (Cutler) chance.
-- Bill Williamson, AFC West blogger