Sunday’s events did not inspire the Broncos to hoist an AFC West championship flag for the first time in seven years, nor did it cause operations in Kansas City and San Diego to cease.
It did clear some smoke as the NFL schedule heads toward the home stretch with seven weeks remaining. The Broncos have their first division title in their sights since the John Elway era ended with the 1998 season. While dispatching the Raiders at Oakland 31-17, Denver improved to 7-2 and has a two-game lead over the Chiefs (5-4) and Chargers (5-4).
Failure to win the division would require that Denver, 3-0 in the AFC West, stumbles badly while Kansas City or San Diego makes a major push. Denver is in position to make a run at a bye in the AFC playoffs with the No. 2 seed in the conference up for grabs. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, like Denver, are 7-2.
As much as Denver is in control of its division, Indianapolis is in control of the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a 9-0 record.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan, who gave his players Monday off after the solid victory over the Raiders in which the Broncos built a 23-0 lead, is not interested in hearing about standings or projections. He knows great possibilities can turn ugly in a hurry. Denver started 6-2 in 2002 only to finish 9-7 and out of the playoffs.
“We understand we’re one game away from being ridiculed,” Shanahan said. “You try to keep things in perspective. You know that this is a long season. All we’re guaranteed right now is seven wins.”
Denver has a chance to improve to 8-2 when the New York Jets (2-7) visit Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday. The Jets are struggling as much as any AFC team. They have lost four consecutive games and are using their fourth quarterback of the season, Brooks Bollinger, who had four interceptions in a 30-3 loss at Carolina on Sunday.
Denver’s remaining schedule is split down the middle. The home games appear to be more winnable while the road opponents are more challenging. The three remaining opponents at Invesco Field – the Jets, Ravens and Raiders – are a combined 7-20, and the Broncos are 5-0 at home.
Three of the Broncos’ four road games, beginning Thanksgiving Day at Dallas, feature teams with winning records – the Cowboys, Chiefs and Chargers. Only the Bills have a losing mark.
“We just have to keep a focus,” Denver safety John Lynch said after the victory over the Raiders. “Coach Shanahan has done a good job of keeping us focused, and we have to remain focused.”
That includes against the Jets. Even though the Jets are struggling, the Broncos are clear on one thing: There are no freebies in the NFL. The most recent examples came Sunday when Atlanta was beaten at home by Green Bay and Minnesota shocked the Giants on the road.
“We just have to enjoy and rejoice of where we are right now,” Lynch said.
And that’s in solid position to win the AFC West.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
