Dolphins can help Broncos plant AFC's best playoff seed By Woody Paige Denver Post January 2, 2016 Go, Dolphins. Don't save the whales Sunday. Save the Broncos. A bizarre, unforeseen victory by Miami over New England in a game that should be concluded (barring overtime) before the regular-season finale in Denver begins will determine whether the Broncos can be the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed. The Patriots are hurting, with six players declared out and nine questionable. Bill Belichick's overtime call last week was declared questionable. And the Dolphins, although dreadful, have defeated the Pats at home the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the Broncos should be very afraid. A headline from the website "Bolts From The Blue" states: "The San Diego Chargers will win against the Denver Broncos." The author provides this shocking revelation: "Look for the Chargers to try to out-score (sic) the Broncos." That is a bold bolt. The Chargers have scored three points in half their last six games, including the previous one in San Diego against those terrified Broncos, and are 4-11. Trevor Siemian (the choice of 5.4 percent of participants in a recent random sampling by The Denver Post) could start at quarterback, and the Broncos would beat the static Chargers. But Gary Kubiak did make the wrong choice. Peyton Manning should have been named the starter. Despite the misconception, it wouldn't be a mercy start. The Broncos must find out if Peyton can play and help the Broncos win in the postseason. If he's healthy enough to be activated, he should start. Besides, ending his final regular season as a backup for the first time ever is a humiliation Manning didn't deserve. Peyton earned the right to start. The Broncos were 7-2 when he was a starter this season, and he played through the last seven games of that stretch with the painful, partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He has earned the right after leading the Broncos to a 47-15 record and a Super Bowl. He has earned the right after choosing Denver and making this franchise relevant annually once more. He has earned the right after starting in 265 games over 18 seasons and winning 186. Manning has earned the right to win his 187th game, a pro football record, and start his final regular-season game before he retires. He could have played the first half, Brock Osweiler the second.

If Kubiak didn't want Manning to start a game, it should have been the one against Kansas City on Nov. 15. The coach admitted afterward he made a mistake starting Manning. He just made another mistake. If the Broncos are leading the Chargers 35-0 after three quarters, does Kubiak send in Manning as a mop-up QB? Or does he risk Osweiler injuring his right shoulder? He already has a damaged left shoulder. Plus, the Broncos probably will need Manning's experience and expertise in the postseason at some juncture, and Kubiak will use him with absolutely no work after almost two months. Does anybody really think Osweiler could win the AFC championship game in New England? Peyton hasn't won a playoff game in New England, either. But it is well to remember he has prevailed there, and he did beat the Patriots once in an AFC championship game. Consider this fact: In NFL history, only one Super Bowl-winning quarterback had fewer regular-season career starts than the 25-year-old Osweiler. Sunday will be Brock's seventh. Jeff Hostetler, who was a veteran at 29 in his seventh season, had four — including the last two starts in 1990 when he took over for the injured Phil Simms and the New York Giants prevailed in SB XXV as Buffalo missed a last-second field goal. Colin Kaepernick had five starts in 2012 and Vince Ferragamo seven in 1979. Both were 25. Their teams lost Super Bowls. Anything short of a Super Bowl title this year, and Kubiak, John Elway and everybody else in the Rocky Mountains will be unsatisfied. As I wrote weeks ago, the Broncos will have to depend on Mannweiler in order to have any chance to reach and win Super Bowl 50. Ahead, they again may confront the Chiefs, the Steelers, the Bengals or the Patriots, and even the Panthers, Packers or the Vikings, or perhaps the Texans or the Cardinals (both of whom they played in exhibitions) or those pesky Seahawks (who they beat in an exhibition but lost to in a rather infamous Super Bowl). Go, Dolphins. Go away, Chargers.

Will Peyton Manning ever play another snap for the Broncos? By Mark Kiszla and Troy Renck Denver Post January 3, 2016 Renck: The idea that Peyton Manning is a healthy backup is jarring to all of us who know him as a five-time league MVP. It was inevitable after Brock Osweiler's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but jarring nonetheless. Manning plays now only if Osweiler gets hurt or struggles. If either happens, could Manning rescue the Broncos the way Drew Bledsoe did Tom Brady in the 2002 playoffs? Absolutely. Kiz: Here's the tricky part, and the harsh reality I'm not sure that die-hard fans of Manning are willing to accept. The Broncos don't want Manning to play another snap. Osweiler fits Gary Kubiak's offense better than Manning does. And although Osweiler's performances have been uneven, he has played much better than Manning did before being sidelined by a foot injury. Renck: Here's why I fear any entrance by Manning other than injury relief. Kubiak possesses confidence in Osweiler. I can't see him benching him in the first half of a playoff game. That means Manning could enter in a similar fashion to Osweiler against the Chiefs. The Broncos trailed 22-0 midway through the third quarter. If the Broncos face that type of playoff deficit against the Bengals, Jets or Chiefs, it doesn't matter who is playing quarterback. Kiz: There's one idea that appeals to me. Use Manning as a change-of-pace quarterback. Start Osweiler. Let him run the offense that Kubiak favors. Zone blocking. Bootleg. You know the drill. But what about the idea of inserting Manning in the middle of the second quarter, or perhaps on the opening drive of the second half, to run the hurry-up from the shotgun? I like the element of surprise in this plan. But I strongly suspect Kubiak would think I should stick to typing and leave the X's and O's to him. Renck: There's only one ideal circumstance for Manning to play — if the Broncos build a big lead Sunday against the Chargers. Clearly, a strong possibility exists that Manning has played his last snap for the Broncos. But last snap ever? Part of me believes Manning, if the HGH story dissolves, will return next season with, total speculation on my part, the Houston Texans. Kiz: You can be certain Manning does not want to go out as a bench-warmer, and retire from football without starting another NFL game. But if the 39-year-old quarterback listens to his body and evaluates his performance objectively, the only wise decision is to retire. Yes, the Texans check many boxes for Manning: Warm weather? Check. Playoff contender? Check. But could Manning thrive playing quarterback at age 40? Nope.

Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler saga continues as Broncos head to postseason By Troy Renck Denver Post January 3, 2016 In the days leading up to the Broncos' Nov. 15 game, offensive players became concerned. They never saw Peyton Manning. His foot injury, viewed initially as manageable, sent tremors through the team and rattled confidence when too many Manning passes against the Kansas City Chiefs were intercepted. He completed only five passes. Four others were intercepted. And when Chiefs safety Ron Parker tracked a deep ball down the sideline in the third quarter, cutting in front of Broncos wide receiver Cody Latimer, it shoved Manning to the bench with a 0.0 quarterback rating.He hasn't played since. Manning's injury and recovery and Brock Osweiler's growth and growing pains sent the Broncos on a remarkable ride over the past six weeks. They vaulted into the AFC's top playoff slot, then were left scrambling to avoid becoming the first 10-2 team to miss the postseason. Time to buckle the seat belt, push the tray table up and relive the success and turbulence: Nov. 15, vs. Kansas City Manning almost doesn't play after dealing with a sore left foot and a rib injury, which surfaced the Saturday before the game. In a regrettable outing, Manning stumbles to the worst performance of his career — the lone highlight a 4-yard completion to running back Ronnie Hillman that breaks Brett Favre's NFL career record of 71,838 yards passing. "He's getting pretty old. He's still a good quarterback. He tried hard," Parker says. Trailing 22-0, Osweiler replaces Manning and completes 14-of-24 passes for 146 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who was first asked about benching Manning on Oct. 12 because of the QB's struggles, admits he made a mistake playing a compromised Manning. Manning says afterward that he won't play unless he can practice for a full week. The possibility vanishes when an MRI on Monday reveals torn plantar fascia in his left foot. Nov. 22, at Chicago The Broncos rule Manning out with his foot injury. It dates back to the Green Bay game, the Broncos say. But his father, Archie, would later reveal it goes back several months, closer to the start of the season. Regardless, Manning doesn't make the trip and Osweiler capitalizes on his 25th birthday. The Broncos have trouble landing in Chicago because of a snowstorm, circling the airport for hours. After Kubiak addresses the team at a downtown hotel, Osweiler speaks at his coach's request. It represents the only time nerves fluttered in Osweiler's stomach all week.

"That was pretty hectic. He gave me about five minutes to prepare," Osweiler says. Osweiler wins over the room, then becomes the first Broncos quarterback to win his debut since Kubiak in 1983. Osweiler's parents, John and Kathy Osweiler, aren't about to miss it. They drive from Denver, arriving in Chicago in the middle of the night. Osweiler remains the starting quarterback the day after as Kubiak denounces a Pro Football Talk report that Manning is focused on playing next season even if it isn't with the Broncos. "I can just tell you for there to be any rumors that his mind-set is anywhere other than getting healthy and helping this football team is totally false," the coach says. Nov. 24-29, vs. New England Manning seeks a second opinion and meets with Charlotte, N.C., foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Tuesday. He places Manning in a walking cast, sidelining him indefinitely. Osweiler, coming off AFC offensive player of the week honors, rallies the Broncos from a 14-point deficit to an overtime victory over the unbeaten Patriots. He becomes only the second quarterback making his first or second start against the Patriots since 2001 to win, joining Mark Sanchez in 2009. Dec. 2, Manning opens up Manning talks to the media for the first time since his foot was placed in a walking cast, calling it "difficult not being out there." He says his foot has affected him for "quite a while," before he suffered the partial tear. He declines to reveal when the pain began: "Timelines are kind of irrelevant. It bothers me now." The cast is removed Dec. 4 in exchange for a walking boot. Dec. 6, at San Diego Osweiler leads the team to a third straight victory and a 10-2 record. But the offense fails to score in the second half, starting a trend that threatens to derail the season. Dec. 9, Manning begins workouts His boot off, Manning begins three days of morning throwing practice and drills as he tries to improve enough to return to team practice. To this point, he has not been healthy enough to generate a quarterback controversy. Dec. 13-14, vs. Oakland Osweiler's honeymoon period ends abruptly. Leading 12-0 with visions of a top AFC playoff seed, the Broncos fall on their faces. The offense manages three first downs and 86 yards in the second half. Kubiak waits to announce the starting QB, and none is listed Dec. 14 for a news conference, prompting speculation about Manning's return. Osweiler receives the nod, and any thought of Manning playing ends when he suffers a setback with his foot after two consecutive days of team practice. Dec. 20, at Pittsburgh The morning begins with Broncos general manager John Elway denying an NFL report that Manning has said he won't be a backup to Osweiler. Manning tells The Denver Post after the game that report "is insulting and bull (bleep)." Osweiler cracks the door for Manning's return. After a four-touchdown first

half — three passing, one rushing — Osweiler fails to produce points after halftime for the third straight week, going 2-for-25 on third downs during this stretch. Dec. 22, Manning not ready His foot not healthy, Manning reverts to individual workouts, clearing the way for Osweiler's sixth consecutive start. Dec. 26, Manning on HGH report An al-Jazeera report alleges that an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic supplied Ashley Manning, Peyton's wife, with HGH in 2011. Manning issues a statement, saying the implication he used HGH is "complete garbage and totally made up. It never happened." Dec. 28, vs. Cincinnati Using a hurry-up offense that Manning perfected, Osweiler pushes Denver from a 14-3 halftime deficit to an overtime victory that clinches a playoff berth. After the game, Kubiak does not wait like previous weeks to announce Osweiler as starter. "Nothing has changed," Kubiak says. Dec. 30 What was known becomes official. For the first time since his freshman year at Tennessee, Manning will serve as a backup. Manning gives credit to Osweiler, and says "I will do whatever I can to help." Manning's handling of the situation allows the team to move forward, as it has for seven weeks, without internal controversy. A victory Sunday against San Diego would clinch a fifth consecutive AFC West title and a playoff bye.

Brock Osweiler or Peyton Manning; Broncos stuck in awkward place at QB By Nick Groke Denver Post January 2, 2016 This is what it looks like when $15 million gets dressed alone at a locker: After his worst game in an otherwise record-breaking NFL career, Peyton Manning sat outside a scrum of reporters listening, alone, as Brock Osweiler answered questions a few feet over about bumping aside a legend. In that quiet gap between Osweiler, the Broncos' fresh-faced backup and soon-to-be starting quarterback, and Manning, the veteran, Denver's shot at a Super Bowl fell into question. In the six weeks since that Nov. 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver, the Broncos were swept into a swirl of awkwardness — and Broncos Country, a fan base familiar with quarterback controversies, got pitted in a civil war, picking sides between the past and the future. Osweiler's quarterback takeover from Manning this season has made for the most bizarre Broncos stretch since Tim Tebow steamrolled into the playoffs in 2011. "Peyton Manning has changed the way this game is viewed. He changed the way quarterbacks operate at the line of scrimmage," said ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth, who won two Super Bowls as a guard with the Broncos in the 1990s. "So to see him get replaced, it's a difficult thing to watch. But there are very few John Elways in this world who go out winning a championships and say, 'See ya.' " Sunday the 39-year-old, Hall of Fame-bound Manning will be a healthy backup for the first time in his NFL career. Osweiler, 25, who never made an NFL start before this season, will be under center again. The playoffs are rushing toward the Broncos. A victory at home Sunday over the San Diego Chargers would net Denver no worse than a No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. But the Broncos' quarterback questions aren't going away. And their fans are nervous. "Manning was great for the Broncos. I loved him. But you can only play football for so long. And he's been fighting a losing battle," said Denver's Nancy Levine, a second-generation season-ticket holder. Her father first grabbed season tickets in 1964, more than 30 years before the Broncos won their first championship. In the past 15 years, the Broncos have thrown out quarterback questions like red challenge flags. Jay Cutler replaced Jake Plummer midseason in 2006. Tebow bumped aside Kyle Orton in 2011. "Osweiler has earned the starting spot. And I'm excited," Levine said. "But if feeling good means, 'Do I think we're going to the Super Bowl?' Then, I don't know."

Broncos fans are wearing their indecision. Holiday sales of Osweiler jerseys at the store at Dove Valley team headquarters kicked up. But Manning sales still dominate — the first jersey you see inside the door is a signed Manning jersey in a glass case, above an Elway jersey. At SportsFan, an independent apparel retailer with an outpost next to the Broncos' stadium, fan demand for jerseys is a week-to-week proposition. "You're always trying to balance what the customers are saying what they want right now and what they could want tomorrow," said Derek Friedman, SportsFan's owner. "With Osweiler, he's not under contract for next year. So it's definitely a delicate dance." Osweiler's rookie deal with the Broncos ends after this season. He's playing for a contract as well as the playoffs. But zoom out of the Broncos bubble for a minute. What if, two months from now, the Broncos look back after losing in the playoffs and say they left Manning — Peyton Manning! 71,871 career passing yards! — on the bench? That's a difficult idea to grasp. "I get it. It sounds crazy," Schlereth said. "But the bottom line is, as a franchise, if you're realistic and you take the fan hat off, what are your chances really with their deficiencies to make it to the Super Bowl? Peyton Manning isn't playing with the Broncos next year, so wouldn't you like to see Brock play in pressure situations?" The mania around Tebow's takeover from Orton and his wobbly run to the playoffs in 2011 cannot be overstated. It was nuts — one of the strangest, wildest periods in Denver sports history. Manning's arrival with the Broncos in 2012 — Elway, as general manager, signed him to a five-year, $96 million contract — finally quieted the Tebow storm. Manning was meant to finally settle the Broncos into a solid quarterback situation, for the first time since Elway won back-to-back Super Bowls as quarterback in 1998 and 1999. They're now full circle back to another quarterback quandary, this time with Manning on the outs. "I could tell something was wrong with Peyton. He just wasn't himself," said Highlands Ranch's Gary Penfield, a season-ticket holder since 1993. "Given the integrity he displays for the game, it was admirable he finally stepped down to give Brock a chance." Penfield sat through a bitterly cold Monday night with his daughter, Christine, to watch another Osweiler nail-biter. The Broncos rallied in the second half for a 20-17 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals to clinch a playoff berth. That win bought Osweiler another week as a starter. Manning returned Wednesday from a foot injury to practice as a full participant with the team for the first time since November. But Denver coach Gary Kubiak, a former backup quarterback for Elway, said Manning will be No. 2 at the position Sunday. It wasn't enough for some fans to close the door on Manning. "It was never in me to write Peyton off," Penfield said. "He's more than proved he's a Hall of Fame quarterback. And I still don't write him off. If we can win this last game, I think Peyton, if he needs to come in and play, he'll do just fine."

The Manning-to-Osweiler handoff left the Broncos with a conundrum. But they're 11-4. And the other top teams in the AFC, including the Bengals and New England Patriots, have their own questions and problems to deal with. The amount of hope around Denver is bigger than the difference beween Manning and Osweiler. "When I listen and talk to fans at the store, they're enjoying the ride of the team more than focusing on No. 17 or 18," Friedman said. "They really just want a W. And as long as they're delivering W's, fans just want to root for orange."

9 keys in Broncos game against San Diego By Mike Klis 9 News January 2, 2016 The Broncos and AFC West foe San Diego play their final regular-season game at 2:25 p.m. Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. If the Broncos win they will be assured of no worse than a No. 2 playoff seed, which comes with a first-round bye and second-round home game. If Broncos lose and Kansas City wins, Denver would have to play in the first round on the road. Here are 9 keys for the Broncos in their game against the Chargers: 1. No scoreboard watching The Broncos have lost this kind of game before. You know, much to gain in the final week, playing an inferior opponent, only to come out flat. New England plays Miami in the early game Sunday. A Patriot loss would give the Broncos the No. 1 playoff seed with a win against San Diego. A Patriot win would give the Broncos a No. 2 seed with a win against San Diego. May neither Patriot result affect how the Broncos play against San Diego. The other meaningful game for the Broncos is Kansas City-Oakland. A Kansas City win would mean the Broncos would have to beat San Diego in order to win the AFC West. That game kicks off in Kansas City at the same time as the Broncos-Chargers' contest. Scoreboard watching can tighten collars. 2. Pay no attention, Brock, to the legend who is no longer behind the curtain For the first time, Brock Osweiler is the Broncos' starting quarterback while Peyton Manning is healthy enough to dress and serve as a backup. Osweiler has to stay within his game and not put too much pressure on himself. 3. Test the Chargers' battered secondary. Repeatedly In the Chargers' previous game – last Thursday at Oakland – they lost so many defensive backs to injury, receiver Dontrelle Inman was forced to play safety. Inman's missed tackle in overtime allowed the Raiders to move into game-winning field goal range. A couple deep throws early by Osweiler would force the Chargers' secondary to back off. 4.Get the Chargers plane warmed up A fast start should break the spirit against some Chargers players (not named Philip Rivers or Danny Woodhead) who already know with their 4-11 record their offseason starts Monday. That "Win One for San Diego" spirit shouldn't be all that strong with the game in Denver. 5. Shut Philip, up

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has averaged 311.6 passing yards against his 14 non-Broncos opponents this year. He threw for just 202 against Denver in a 17-3 loss last month in San Diego. That means Rivers is due to rebound unless Von Miller and company can again sack him four times. The Chargers' offensive line is as beat up as their secondary. 6. Shadow Danny Woodhead Two guys who played extremely hard in the Chargers' previous game 10 days ago at Oakland: Rivers and Woodhead. The diminutive running back Woodhead was a fourth quarter force both as a safety valve receiver and rusher. He's hard to find so he won't be easy to contain. 7. Sleep and stretch For their 16th and final game, the Broncos are battered and bruised from only having six days between games. Hopefully, the players took care of themselves this week. 8. Pass first, then run After loosening up the Chargers' secondary, the Broncos can apply some rushing blows to San Diego's 23rd-rank run defense that allows 119.7 yards per game. If Osweiler has success early, the Broncos should be able to rush for 120 and keep the ball away from Rivers. 9. Get to point where Peyton mops up Imagine if the Broncos got up 30-0 late in the third quarter. Osweiler is the quarterback for the playoffs. Don't want him getting hurt. At that point, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak would have to ask Manning if he wants to go in. Manning would have to swallow some pride, but he's swallowed hard already. He'll do it. This scenario, however is not likely to happen for two reasons: Charger players had 10 days between games; the Broncos only six. This is going to be a game where the Broncos have to figure out how to win when they're not at their best.

With playoff spot secured, Broncos aim for bye week in finale By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com January 3, 2016 When it comes to the Denver Broncos and potential playoff positioning, the issue is not a complicated one. "I always think, win as many games as you can and then it takes care of itself," Broncos linebacker Von Miller said. "So, if we win a lot you have to worry less." Indeed, the Broncos have already earned a playoff spot with last Monday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals. But when Denver closes out the regular season Sunday against the San Diego Chargers (4-11) in Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the Broncos can earn something they want almost as much -- a playoff bye. "It's crucial," cornerback Aqib Talib said. "We have guys banged up on offense and defense. Guys are banged up. That extra week of rest would work wonders for us. Playing in front of our home crowd would be nice, too." The Broncos (11-4) are currently in the No. 2 spot in the AFC's playoff seeding. They would guarantee themselves the No. 2 spot with a win Sunday since the Bengals are also 11-4. They would also clinch their fifth consecutive AFC West title with a win. A loss Sunday, coupled with a Bengals win, would mean the Broncos would play in the wild-card round. That would also be the case should the Broncos lose to the Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. As a wild card, the Broncos would not only lose the bye but also be on the road the first week of the postseason. "We have a lot to play for," cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. "Everybody in here knows that. We want home games, we want a bye, we want the best position we can be in." The Broncos also have an outside chance at the AFC's No. 1 seed. Because of their Nov. 29 win over the New England Patriots, the Broncos could win Sunday and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if the Miami Dolphins (5-10) upset the Patriots. The Broncos will likely take the field Sunday with knowledge of at least some of what's on the table. While the Chiefs play, as the Broncos do, at 4:25 p.m.ET, the Patriots and Bengals all play at 1 p.m. ET. "We just worry about us," Miller said. "We have goals, things on defense we want -- we're one sack ahead of New England for the lead -- we want the W, we want to play a great game and go into the playoffs with all kinds of momentum."

Playoff teams nearly set, but matchups still unsettled By Tim Booth Associated Press January 2, 2016 Even though they've had a playoff berth clinched for two weeks, no team goes into the final week of the regular season with more uncertainty than the Seattle Seahawks with three potential opponents for the opening weekend. That's fine by them. They already know what lies ahead in the postseason. "I don't really care. Regardless it's going to be somewhere cold and it's going to be on the road," Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril said. Seattle's status is one of the few unknowns going into the final day. Home-field advantage has yet to be clinched in both conferences. The NFC North is up for grabs with Green Bay hosting Minnesota. Rex Ryan and Buffalo could knock the New York Jets out of the playoffs, a result the Steelers are hoping for to sneak in. And the AFC South could go the way of Indianapolis. All the Colts need is a win with a fourth-string quarterback, a Houston loss and just eight other results to go their way. Here's a look at the breakdowns in each conference: AFC BREAK TIME: New England is already assured of having the first weekend off. The Patriots can wrap up home field advantage with a win over Miami or a Denver loss to San Diego. Denver needs just a win over the Chargers to get a bye, while Cincinnati needs a win over the Ravens and a Broncos loss to earn a No. 2 seed. WILD WILD CARD: Pittsburgh's flop in Week 16 losing to Baltimore left the Steelers needing some help. The Jets are in with a win in Buffalo, but a loss and the Steelers can swoop in and claim the No. 6 seed with a victory over the Browns. DON'T FORGET US: Anyone talking at all about Kansas City? The Chiefs have won nine straight and still have an outside shot of winning the AFC West. Kansas City must beat Oakland and have the Broncos lose to the Chargers. While that would get Kansas City the division title, it won't get them a first-round bye. SOUTH BY DEFAULT: OK. Can the Texans simply just win? That is the cleanest, easiest route to figuring out the AFC South champion. Houston wins and it hosts the No. 5 seed in the wild card round. But if the Texans lose and Indianapolis can beat Tennessee then it gets really messy. The Colts would then need Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Denver and Miami to win, and Oakland and Pittsburgh to win or tie — but both not tie — to edge out the Texans on strength of schedule tiebreaker. ___ NFC

REST TIME: Carolina and Arizona have already earned byes. But the Panthers loss last week against Atlanta left open the chance of Arizona earning home-field advantage. The Cardinals need to beat Seattle and have the Panthers lose to Tampa Bay and the path to the Super Bowl would go through Glendale. NFC FROZEN: The NFC North will be decided late on Sunday night when the temperatures in Green Bay are expected to dip into the teens for the Packers and Vikings. The winner gets the No. 3 seed in the conference. The loser will be a wild card and face a road-heavy slate to get through the postseason. After starting 6-0 the Packers are 4-5 down the stretch, including last week's 38-8 drubbing by Arizona. But Green Bay was on a three-game losing streak when it routed the Vikings 30-13 in Minnesota in Week 11. FILING A FLIGHT PLAN: Seattle has the most uncertainty of where it's headed going into the final day with the chance of ending up in Minnesota, Green Bay or Washington. The Seahawks were in line for the No. 5 seed before stumbling last week at home against St. Louis. Beating Arizona won't guarantee Seattle the No. 5 seed because if Minnesota beats Green Bay, the Packers have the tiebreaker over the Seahawks. No matter the Seahawks outcome in Arizona, they'll likely be back in Seattle late Sunday night before knowing where they're headed to open the playoffs.

January will determine Brock Osweiler's future with Broncos By Paul Klee Colorado Springs Gazette January 2, 2016 The Broncos have won 11 games, again, and none of their four losses can be pinned on Brock Osweiler. That says something. With a defense as wired and unrelenting as theirs, the quarterback not losing games is as important as his ability to win them. Will Osweiler still be the Broncos quarterback next season when he turns 26? Well, that's what January is for. Peyton Manning casts a deep shadow, and Denver's quarterback question has focused on Manning and if he'll return this season as the starter. For the first time since he was a college kid playing at Tennessee in 1994, Manning on Sunday enters a game as the backup. If it sounds weird, that's because it is. But it's late enough in the schedule, and close enough to the end of his rookie contract, the real question should be whether Osweiler is the man for next season and beyond. The Broncos host the Chargers in a very important game, and it's your call if the Broncos or Osweiler have more at stake. With a win, Denver secures a first-round bye to rest its weary and wounded and triples its odds of reaching Super Bowl 50, according to ESPN.com's Football Power Index. Yes, it's that significant. If I had to wager an educated guess - and that's all this is - the determination on Osweiler also will come in the next several weeks. I don't believe it has been decided yet, despite Osweiler leading the Broncos to comeback victories against the two teams considered the AFC's best for the bulk of this season. Has he been perfect? Of course not. But Cincinnati and New England learned firsthand the Montana kid doesn't blink when the temperature drops below freezing and the pass rush is coming in hot. With a contract that commands a base salary of $19 million in 2016, Manning isn't coming back, not when defensive all-stars Von Miller and Malik Jackson are among the free agents who will sign for big bucks. Denver wants to keep its 'D' together. But if there's one thing we've learned since John Elway took over roster-building duties in 2011, it's that Elway will always have a dude at quarterback. Not just a guy, but a dude who can win a Super Bowl. It's why Elway spent Saturdays scouting college prospects at the height of Tebow Time, why he said there was no Plan B after he went all-in for the biggest free agent in NFL history, Manning. Now there's no Plan B because Plan A is still up in the air. Osweiler's passer rating as a starter is clumped together with those of Blake Bortles, Matt Ryan, Ryan Tannehill and Jameis Winston. Not Pro Bowl stuff, but those guys would exit the open market with lots

of zeros lining their first paycheck. The price tag on Osweiler's second contract inflates with each triumph, as does the likelihood the Broncos will hand him the keys to the franchise. His cool demeanor in 2-minute drills must strike a chord with Elway, and there's no doubt he has earned the trust of his teammates. "He's been our quarterback - our scout team quarterback - for a minute. We've been able to see his characteristics and leadership," linebacker Von Miller said. "We've been able to experience that. It's not a surprise." Thanks to a defense that is cocky enough to believe it can conquer the world, it's doubtful the Broncos would lose their confident edge if you or I were at quarterback. "We're arrogant, to be honest with you," veteran linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. But it certainly boosted locker-room Feng shui when Osweiler opened his mini-era with two road wins and a dramatic comeback over Tom Brady's Patriots. Toiling in the background to recover from a foot injury, Manning also set a first-class example of professionalism, just as anyone should expect. "The thing is, it's not about wins and losses. It's all about Peyton and (Osweiler), hand-in-hand," Ware said. "When Brock is in the game, Peyton is giving everything he has. It's about being the best for your fellow man." Osweiler's performance and the dearth of promising quarterbacks in the NFL have all but guaranteed he's getting paid somewhere. He can afford to be playing free of worry over his professional future. Will it be the Broncos who pay him? That's what January is for.

Broncos report card for Sunday's Chargers game By Paul Klee Colorado Springs Gazette January 2, 2016 Offense Ol’ buddy Philip Rivers and the Chargers trump the Broncos in yards per game, yards per play, passing yards, third-down conversions — almost everything. Why does Denver get the edge? It faces San Diego’s defense. Advantage: Broncos Defense Training camp showed signs this Broncos defense could be special. “We’ll be the best (defense) in the NFL,” Chris Harris Jr. said in August. And for the first time in club history, Denver can finish as the No. 1 ‘D.’ Advantage: Broncos Special teams About that kicking game. Brandon McManus is slumping. “Yes, we’re all concerned,” special teams coach Joe DeCamillis said. The McManimal has missed a kick in each of the past five games, including that duck hook vs. Cincy. Advantage: Chargers Coaching The question I had with Gary Kubiak is whether he desired to be a head coach again. It’s not a gig for the uncertain. I still wonder if he’s long for the job, but he certainly brought the kicking-and-screaming element. Advantage: Broncos Intangibles The Broncos have tons to play for. “That extra week of rest would work wonders for us,” Aqib Talib said. The San Diego Chargers probably will cease to exist. Their next matchup could be in Los Angeles. Advantage: Broncos Klee’s Pick: Broncos (-9) 16, Chargers 9 (Straight up: 11-4, ATS: 12-3)

Three with Paul Klee: Comparing John Fox's and Gary Kubiak's reigns By Paul Klee Colorado Springs Gazette January 2, 2016 What's my motivation? Flawed as they are, the Broncos have a shot to reach the Super Bowl because their strength is as good or better than everyone else's strength. Denver's defense gives it a chance, even as the offense stumbles or flourishes depending on the half. The defense also has a shot to do things never done before in Colorado. The Broncos have never - never! - completed a regular season with the top-ranked defense in the NFL. That's where they stand now. "They could set some all-time records," defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. If the Broncos have learned anything in the Manning era, it's that a Super Bowl championship, not lofty numbers, should be the sole motivation. But the defense is their strength, and the defense is more than slightly obsessed with its own numbers. And it's working. "We're arrogant, to be honest with you," linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "We want to be the best and lead the NFL in sacks, to lead them in yards per rush. We want to have it all." It figures the NFL's best defense can wrap a bow around its banner regular season against an opponent, the Chargers, that managed only three points in their first matchup - the fewest points allowed by the Denver defense this season. The Broncos can clinch a first-round bye with a win Sunday. But the defense is inspired for statistical reasons as well. "We're trying to get this No. 1 defense (title)," linebacker Von Miller said. For comparison's sake John Fox averaged 11.5 wins over four seasons, so Gary Kubiak's 11 wins (with one game to play) is right on pace with his predecessor. (In our season prediction Sept. 8, we forecasted the Broncos to finish with 12 wins and, yes, we take our predictions very seriously.) It would have been interesting to see Fox navigate the quarterback switch that has provided a season-long storyline. Any quarterback change in the NFL is a dicey proposition; when one of the quarterbacks is a legend with a lucrative legacy to uphold, it's a potentially combustible dynamic. As we know now, the line of communication between Fox and general manager John Elway wasn't always a comfortable one. The quarterback transition wasn't part of the plan, but the friendship between Kubiak and Elway no doubt helped the Broncos deliver a unified message and avoid disruptions in the locker room. "Sometimes when you have a lot of chiefs on the team, you can't withstand change. They don't like change," veteran DeMarcus Ware said. "You've got a lot of guys on this team that can be their worst critics. We can be the Indians, also." With a moody offense and daily questions about the quarterback spot, this thing could've blown up. Holding it together might be Kubiak's most underrated accomplishment in his first season back in Denver. Brandon Marshall, Good Guy The Broncos media are spoiled. The team is usually good, which makes for fewer grumpy locker rooms after defeats, and the fan base seems more fanatical each passing year, so there's relentless interest in Broncos news. There's another factor that makes working with the Broncos second to none: It's usually full of personalities who love to talk. That's been particularly true this season, and choosing one guy for the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award was no easy task. In its ninth year and presented by ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, the award is named after the late Broncos defensive back and is given to the player who "best exemplifies Williams' enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty while dealing with members of the

press." This year's winner? Linebacker and leading tackler Brandon Marshall, who, in my time covering the team, has never declined an interview, win or lose, and approaches the media game with the same professional approach he applies in the football game. It's appreciated. David Bruton Jr., Chris Harris Jr. and Ryan Harris - all worthy candidates - also got votes. I haven't worked in all the NFL locker rooms, but it's tough to imagine a better one.

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos Preview By Brett Michael Dykes New York Times January 3, 2016 Chargers (4-11) at Broncos (11-4) 4:25 p.m. Line: Broncos by 9 Despite all sorts of playoff intrigue surrounding this game for Denver — the Broncos can possibly clinch home-field advantage throughout the A.F.C. playoffs with a win, while risking finishing second in their division with a loss — all eyes will be on Peyton Manning. Manning, embroiled in controversy after an Al Jazeera report said he obtained human growth hormone through his wife (an accusation Manning vigorously denied), will be Denver’s backup quarterback, with Brock Osweiler having performed well enough in Manning’s absence to earn the trust of Broncos coaches. Interestingly, Manning still leads all N.F.L. quarterbacks in interceptions in 2015 with 17, despite not starting for the last six weeks. PICK: Broncos

Three Keys to Broncos-Chargers By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com January 3, 2016 The Broncos' task is simple: win and they'll have next weekend off. And even though they're getting closer to full health than they've been in months, the nagging injuries that have cost key players time means that a bye week could be essential to the Broncos' hopes of eventually taking the one final step they've failed to make over their previous four seasons in the postseason. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has three injuries. So does tight end Owen Daniels. They are expected to play Sunday, along with other starters like T.J. Ward, who is still recovering from an ankle injury. Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall is questionable, but he practiced Friday and could play through an ankle injury of his own. A week would help them heal -- and, of course, it would give the Broncos a free pass to the divisional round. That hasn't helped them in two of the last three years. That reflects how wild-card teams have fared better in divisional-round play in recent years, going 16-24 in the last 10 postseasons with this format after winning just 11 of 60 games from 1990-2004. A bye week offers no guarantees -- except an advance to the divisional round, which would not be assured if the Broncos have to wade the hornet's nest that would be NRG Stadium or Arrowhead Stadium next week. Sunday's game against the Chargers is, in effect, a playoff game. Win, and you advance a round. They must treat it as such. “[The bye] helps, but you're talking about the week off. You've got to take care of the week," said running back C.J. Anderson, who has dealt with back and ankle injuries in recent weeks and could use the respite, too. "We don't get [any] week off if we don't take care of this week. We've got to take care of the week." What are three keys to doing just that? 1. Play a good game from start to finish. The "tale of two halves" is becoming tiresome, as you have to go back to the 17-15 win over Chicago in Week 11 to find a game in which the Broncos had near-equal performance in all areas from the opening kickoff to the final gun. Since then, the Broncos have fallen behind two scores -- and rallied -- twice, and taken two-score leads -- and blown them -- twice more. Only against San Diego did a two-score lead stand up, but that saw the first of the Broncos' three consecutive scoreless second halves, as the Broncos failed to capitalize on multiple chances to extend their 17-3 lead in the third quarter. Befitting the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of their play, the Broncos are 3-2 in their last five games. That won't be good enough in the postseason. If they can find consistent, proficient play from beginning to end

Sunday, they'll have the kind of performance upon which they can build. They'll need efforts like that to win in the coming weeks. 2. Make Philip Rivers uncomfortable. It's not just about sacks, but pressure. The Broncos racked up their sacks of the Chargers quarterback late in their 17-3 win at Qualcomm Stadium on Dec. 6, but it was early pressure from Malik Jackson on a five-man rush that forced the errant throw that Danny Trevathan intercepted and returned for a touchdown, giving the Broncos a comfortable two-score lead they maintained for the rest of the game. To counter pressure and good downfield coverage, Rivers has made heavy use of Danny Woodhead running routes out of the backfield. After averaging 4.46 receptions per game in their first 13 games, Woodhead has caught 14 passes in the last two weeks, including three that ended in touchdowns. "He's a small quick, guy. He has great hands and runs great routes," ILB Brandon Marshall. "He's always been a problem out of the backfield, but we have to put an emphasis on him this week. "I think Philip leans to him a lot when people aren't open downfield, so we have to be on him this weekend." 3. Protect Brock Osweiler. San Diego's pressure got to Osweiler early in the third quarter on Dec. 6, with Melvin Ingram notching a sack after getting past Michael Schofield. That sack started Ingram's breakout run in December; he had 5.5 sacks in four games last month after posting just 10 in his first 40 career games. A former first-round pick, Ingram has looked like it recently and turned a corner as an edge rusher -- pun intended. If he breaches the pocket again, Osweiler will have to make good decisions on stepping up and eluding pressure. The young quarterback has improved at that; last Monday was his best performance in this regard. He'll need to continue that with Ingram lurking.

BMW Ultimate Performance: Defense has lofty goals in sight By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com January 2, 2016 It has been a season-long ultimate performance for the defense, which heads into Week 17 at the cusp of being the best in Broncos history by most statistical measures. For much of the season, the Broncos have been the league's pace-setters on defense. They've led in total yardage allowed per game -- which is the defining "total defense" statistic, but also yardage allowed per play and passing defense. They currently rank No. 2 in the league in rushing defense, just five yards behind the New York Jets, but on a per-carry basis, their rushing defense is the game's best, allowing just 3.2 yards per rush. To lead the league in total defense, the Broncos need to allow 225 fewer yards to the Chargers than the Seahawks yield to the Cardinals on Sunday. (Seattle is the only team within 500 yards of the Broncos, who have surrendered 4,213 yards this season, and thus is the only other team with even a small chance of knocking the Broncos off their perch.) Stay ahead of the 'Hawks, and the 2015 Broncos defense will do something its dominant forebears never did: finish atop the league charts in the total defense. In 1977, the famed Orange Crush, at the apex of its powers, led the league in scoring defense and rushing defense, but only ranked 25th in passing defense, which led them to a No. 9 overall rank in total defense. Longtime defensive coordinator Joe Collier had some phenomenal units, but none ever finished higher than sixth in total defense (1978 and 1981). In 2012, the Broncos finished second in the league in total defense. In 1989 -- Wade Phillips' first year as their defensive coordinator -- and 2014, they finished third. Never first. And now, that's in their grasp. "When we went into the year, we set all of our goals to be in the top-five, but our goal when I talked to them first was that we wanted to be the best," Phillips said. "We wanted to be the best in the league. Those guys have followed through with it." And never has it been better than when it matters most: in close and late situations. The fourth-quarter letdown against the Steelers in Week 15 was the exception in a season that has seen big stops and takeaways when they were needed most. "They have great resolve," Phillips said. "They really do. We’ve seen it happen time after time after time." In Weeks 1-6, the defense had at least one takeaway in the last 7:30 of the fourth quarter every time. In the sixth game of that run, the defense also knocked the Cleveland Browns back 13 yards in three plays after they took over at the Denver 39-yard line in overtime and needed to gain just five to eight yards for a viable attempt at a game-winning field goal.

After a penalty-fueled hiccup late at Indianapolis in Week 9, the defense responded to its next close-and-late shot in Week 11 against the Bears, overcoming a questionable pass-interference call that set up a touchdown to stuff the Bears on their attempt at a game-tying two-point conversion. One week later, the defense overcame the absence of three starters by that point -- previously injured OLB DeMarcus Ware, NT Sylvester Williams and safety T.J. Ward -- to send the Patriots into full retreat in overtime, with pressure leading to a sack of Tom Brady and a three-and-out that set up C.J. Anderson's game-winning jaunt on the subsequent series. "Tom Brady and them were celebrating when they won the toss. This is one of these games where [the opponent says], 'We won the toss; we’re going to go down and score.’ We sack them and knock them backwards." And then last week, the defense overcame its worst start of the season and dismantled the Bengals in the second half and overtime, using pressure to neutralize Cincinnati's running backs and harass AJ McCarron into hurried throws and, finally, a missed snap that DeMarcus Ware recovered. "I try to get them to play like that all the time and say, ‘Hey, the pressure’s on you from the first play,'" Phillips said. But even the best units can't be elite all the time. But greatness is defined by hitting that level when it matters most, and time after time, the Broncos defense has delivered. "They’ve played that way all year," Phillips said. "I’m proud of that group." As well he should be. The defense has carried the team through some struggles from its offense. But that unit has played at a league-average level in total offense, passing offense and rushing offense the last six weeks. With this defense, that might be enough to get the Broncos to all of their goals for this season.

Q&A with Holly Holm: UFC champ and Broncos fan By Allie Raymond DenverBroncos.com January 2, 2016 MMA fighter Holly Holm has been a Broncos fan for as long as she can remember and even was present at John Elway's final regular-season game at Mile High in 1998. Check out who her favorite Bronco is, what she does to get amped before a fight and which Bronco could do damage in the octagon. When did you become a fan of the Broncos? “My parents were always fans of the Broncos, so I just kind of grew up watching them. I guess in middle school [or] high school, I started paying attention a little more and in high school, my mom actually, every year she would want to take one of — I have two brothers — and every year she would take a trip with one of us, so she had taken my brother up to Wyoming and then she took my other brother, I’m not actually sure where, and then we went up to a Broncos game, and it was actually John Elway’s last regular season game before they won their back-to-back Super Bowls. That was a cool game to be at and I’ve followed them ever since.” What do you remember from that game? “I remember there was pretty much a wave going, and this was at the old stadium. There was a wave going around the stadium pretty much the entire game and I kept thinking, Are people really going to keep this up? I think there were some records broken in that game. Terrell Davis was playing and I think he had some records that year.” Who has been your favorite Bronco? “You can’t really go against John Elway, but since then, I’ve been a huge fan of Peyton Manning. He’s just really accomplished a lot in his entire career. I just feel like he’s talented and I think he’s just a good, stand-up, human. It’s kind of hard to find that sometimes. He’s very humble, has been very driven. He’s very passionate about the game. It’s always fun to watch a player who’s really passionate about the game. And his commercials are hilarious!” Are there any players on the team that you think could make it in the octagon? “I think anybody on the Broncos' team is going to be athletic and talented. So, yeah, I think they can get in the octagon. They’ve been able to get to where they’re at by hard work and dedication and athletic ability, so I could totally see them getting in the octagon and doing damage in there.” A lot of players have superstitions before games, do you have any before a big fight? “I have no superstitions. I know that’s weird. My husband’s a baseball player so he’s full of superstitions. I have routines that I like. I eat at this time and then it gives me enough time to adjust my food before I warm up at this time, and these certain snacks that I bring into my locker room that have always done well without making me feel bloated or too full, when I go into the fight. I have things that work for me, so I kind of stick with it. But it’s not necessarily a superstition. It’s just kind of a routine that works for me.” Some players have playlists they listen to before a game, what do you listen to? “When I’m in the locker room—I know this sounds crazy—I know a lot of people really listen to music and I listen to silence. I just focus and I figure if I can’t focus right now, it’s almost distracting. Every now and then my wrestling coach will play reggae, like mellow [music] in the background, like I’ll hear him playing it. … But as far as myself, the time is now, the fight is tonight, so I just think, let’s just focus and

I’m just going to think about. Let’s just get in a deep spot and get in a serious focus here and be ready to zero in on it.” I know you’re coming to the game on Sunday — anything you’re looking forward to seeing? “Seeing a game in person, the energy is just awesome. Every year we try to at least make it to one Broncos game. Last year we went with a couple friends. It was pretty chilly when we went … It may have been against the Chargers. “I’m looking forward to it being a whole different experience. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing something new and being there at the game and the energy, and the vibe, especially because this is an important game. It’s not one of those beginning-of-the-season games, like Let’s see how this season’s going to kick off. This is down to the wire. Those are like the most nerve-wracking games to be at, but the most fun games to be at with the energy. I’m looking forward to that.” Do you have a bold prediction for the Broncos in the postseason? “Here’s my thing: We’re just going to go straight to the Super Bowl. Got to have confidence in your team! We’re just going straight through.”