At least the Broncos took care of their own holiday business. But they didn’t get any help on the final day of a short break heading into the season’s crucial final five-game stretch.
With an opportunity Sunday to put a major lock on their first AFC West title since 1998, the Broncos saw their division lead stay stuck at two games. All the AFC playoff contenders playing Sunday won as well.
Thus Denver, which improved to 9-2 (its best record after 11 games since ’98) with a 24-21 overtime win at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, enters its game at Kansas City on Sunday leading both the Chiefs and San Diego by two games. Kansas City controlled visiting New England on Sunday, and the Chargers were unlikely overtime winners in Washington.
The Broncos, who own the 2006 No. 1 draft choice of the 5-6 Redskins, would gladly trade a better draft slot for a San Diego loss and a three-game lead over the Chargers. But the Chargers won the game much as Denver did over Dallas, on a 41-yard LaDainian Tomlinson run on the second play of overtime. The Broncos’ biggest play on Thursday was a 55-yard Ron Dayne run on the second play of overtime to set up a 24-yard field goal by Jason Elam.
Tomlinson’s heroics kept the Chargers, who host Denver in the regular-season finale on Dec. 31, within striking distance.
Despite not getting any help Sunday, the Broncos are in excellent shape after earning four straight victories and winning nine of their past 10 games. If the Broncos win four of their last five games, they will win the AFC West regardless of how Kansas City and San Diego finish.
Jacksonville (8-3) and Cincinnati (8-3) also won Sunday, maintaining the logjam of playoff contenders.
The Broncos have three games remaining against teams with losing records, including home games against Baltimore (3-8) on Dec. 11 and Oakland (4-7) on Dec. 24 and a road game against Buffalo (4-7) on Dec. 17.
The Broncos have interest in tonight’s game in Indianapolis between the Colts (10-0) and Steelers (7-3).
If the Steelers win, Denver will move within one game of the Colts in the chase for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
If the Colts win, Denver will have a two-game lead over the Steelers in the overall playoff race.
“We know what we have to do, and that’s just keep winning,” Broncos safety John Lynch said after the win over the Cowboys. “If we do that, we’ll be fine.”
Walls update
Cornerback Lenny Walls likely will be released today, making him available for other teams to claim on Tuesday. Walls was put on injured reserve Nov. 1 after injuring his groin Oct. 23 against the Giants.
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
