Jay Cutler’s task? Keep the Broncos in the playoff hunt.
The Broncos’ decision to go with the rookie quarterback from Vanderbilt over 10-year veteran Jake Plummer – a move expected to be announced as soon as today – was not a concession of the season or a punt to the future. The Broncos still believe they can salvage a fourth consecutive trip to the NFL playoffs, in the wake of back-to-back losses to AFC West teams San Diego (35-27) and Kansas City (19-10).
With five games remaining, the Broncos (7-4) begin preparation for their December drive today. But they are likely looking at competing for a wild-card berth, starting with Sunday night’s home game against Seattle. Division leader San Diego is 9-2 after rallying for a 21-14 victory over Oakland. The Chargers have a two-game lead over Kansas City and Denver.
If the regular season ended today, Denver and Kansas City would be the AFC’s wild-card teams. No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in each conference get first-round byes, and the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each conference (the division champions with the worst two records) host the two wild- card teams.
“The season is not over,” Denver tight end Stephen Alexander said after the loss to the Chiefs on Thanksgiving. “We have to put things back together, but it’s not over.”
While the Chargers maintained their grip on the AFC West lead, the Broncos got some help in the playoff race Sunday when Jacksonville lost 27-24 at Buffalo. The Jaguars trail Denver and Kansas City by a game.
The New York Jets and Cincinnati are tied with Jacksonville at 6-5. The Jets and Bengals won Sunday.
The Bengals will be an interesting team to watch. After losing four of five games in one stretch, the Bengals have won two straight. Cincinnati plays the Broncos in Denver on Dec. 24, the 15th game of the season for both teams.
“We know what we have to do to get back on track,” Broncos safety John Lynch said. “All we have to do is go out and do it and get the season going again.”
For Cutler, the biggest task is getting the Broncos back on track during the toughest stretch of the remaining schedule.
After the Broncos host the defending NFC champion Seahawks, they play at San Diego on Dec. 10. In what likely will be his second start, Cutler will have to deal with San Diego superstar Shawne Merriman, who will be playing in his first game after serving a four- game, NFL-sanctioned suspension for violating the league’s steroid policy.
If the Broncos can survive the next two weeks, the schedule becomes more forgiving at the end of the season. Denver’s final road game of the regular season is Dec. 17 at Arizona (2-9). Denver ends the regular season with two consecutive home games, Dec. 24 against the Bengals and Dec. 31 against San Francisco (5-6).
Kansas City has a tougher road with home games against Baltimore and Jacksonville in December and a road game at San Diego.
Jacksonville has home games against Indianapolis and New England.
The Jets also are a team to watch because they play five teams with losing records to end the season.
In addition to playing at Denver, the Bengals have to play at Indianapolis and host Baltimore.
Footnotes
If Houston backup Sage Rosenfels’ hand injury is deemed serious, the Texans could pursue former Bronco backup Bradlee Van Pelt as soon as today. … Broncos offensive tackle Adam Meadows continued to get treatment over the weekend for a hamstring injury he suffered at Kansas City. Meadows will be monitored this week. If he can’t play, George Foster will play at right tackle against Seattle.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
