It was one of the goals former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was not able to realize in his time with the team.
McDaniels talked repeatedly of the importance of a team playing its best football in November and particularly December if it was going to go on to bigger and better things.
The Broncos were 2-7 in November and December last season, and they are 1-3 since Nov. 1 this season — meaning they will miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Since the start of the 2005 season, the Patriots and Chargers have the NFL’s best December records at 21-4, followed by the Steelers and Eagles at 17-8. The Bears and Colts are next at 16-9.
The Steelers have won two Super Bowls in that span, while Indianapolis has played in two Super Bowls, winning one. New England and Chicago have each played in a Super Bowl since the start of the 2005 season, while the Eagles and Chargers have each played in a conference championship game.
Must-see game of the week
Patriots at Bears 2:15 p.m.
The skinny: There were plenty of folks in the league who had plenty of questions about the Patriots heading into last week’s game against the Jets — questions about their defense, about their spotty play at times overall. Then New England pummeled the Jets 45-3 this past Monday night. The Pats are among the best at late-season surges, and QB Tom Brady is again leading the way. Brady tops the league in touchdown passes and passer rating while the Patriots lead the league in scoring.
The difference will be: If the Bears are ready for prime time against a team that has already shown it is. The Patriots have won 20 of 21 games against NFC teams, and they are tied for the league’s best record in December games since the start of 2005. The Bears have won five in a row and are a worthy postseason team when QB Jay Cutler plays with composure. He’s had at least three touchdown passes in each of his last two home games.
The call: Bears 28-24
Catch ’em if you can
Raiders at Jaguars 11 a.m., KCNC-4
It’s time for the Raiders to decide if they’re in the AFC West race or not. They have swept the Chargers but have also followed big wins with inexplicable losses. They have wins over Seattle and Kansas City but losses to Arizona and San Francisco.
The call: Raiders 20-17
Rams at Saints 2 p.m.
The Rams have played, despite plenty of holes in their current roster, with plenty of resolve and tenacity. It helps that rookie QB Sam Bradford looks every bit the franchise player the Rams hoped he would be. After a slow start with the traditional Super Bowl hangover, the Saints are chugging along again.
The call: Saints 31-17
Dolphins at Jets 2:15 p.m.
Folks are going to learn a lot about the Jets’ intentions here. After being embarrassed by the Patriots on Monday night, the Jets’ pursuit of a Super Bowl appearance looks like empty conversation at the moment. If they’ve really got the chops, they win this one going away.
The call: Jets 21-14
Eagles at Cowboys 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known to want a big-name, big-splash guy as the team’s next head coach, but Jason Garrett is tossing a little wrench into that plan, having gone 3-1 as the interim coach. This would be a huge win for Garrett since it would show he could beat one of the division’s heavyweights in a game that matters for Philadelphia.
The call: Eagles 28-20
Browns at Bills 11 a.m.
The Browns have won in their last two trips to Buffalo. Cleveland RB Peyton Hillis, a former Broncos back, needs just 38 yards rushing for his first 1,000-yard season.
The call: Browns 24-21
Quick hitters
Bengals at Steelers 11 a.m.
The Steelers showed their teeth last Sunday night in a bruising win in Baltimore, but the Bengals have been a sore spot in recent years. Cincinnati has won two of the last three meetings.
The call: Steelers 20-10
Bucs at Redskins 11 a.m.
Mike Shanahan continues to work through all of the drama of his first season with the Redskins. He suspended DT Albert Haynesworth for the rest of the season.
The call: Redskins 23-17
Packers at Lions 11 a.m.
The Packers have won the last 10 meetings, and Green Bay needs every win to keep itself in a tight NFC race.
The call: Packers 31-17
Falcons at Panthers 11 a.m.
The Falcons are the class of the NFC, with a tough-minded, pressure player at QB in Matt Ryan, who is surrounded by a balanced offense and an opportunistic defense.
The call: Falcons 33-13
Seahawks at 49ers 2 p.m.
The Seahawks may be one of the ugliest playoff contenders in the league. They’ve been outscored by 49 points, their starting QB has thrown more interceptions than TD passes, and they have just one win this season over a team that currently has a winning record.
The call: Seahawks 13-10
Chiefs at Chargers 2:15 p.m.
This is a big moment for the Chiefs in their quest to be division champs. San Diego has won five of the last six meetings.
The call: Chargers 30-24
