AFC West: A Look Ahead For The Denver Broncos And Their Foes

by John Bena on Nov 22, 2011 12:56 PM MST

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Tim Tebow rants to talk about the rest of the Denver Broncos and the AFC West. Things have been so deep around Broncos Country that I thought I would lighten it up, at least a bit, by talking about the final six games for the Broncos and their AFC West Foes.

First, a look at the AFC West Standings as we approach Thanksgiving:

AFC West Standings

	W	L	PF	PA
Oakland	6	4	235	254
Denver	5	5	205	247
San Diego	4	6	236	259
Kansas City	4	6	144	252

(updated 11.22.2011 at 4:37 AM EST)

Things are tight in the West, needless to say, with all four teams within two games of the lead. At 19 wins, the division is also better than many think - the NFC South and NFC East also have combined for 19 wins. The NFC North leads all divisions with 26 wins, followed by the AFC North with 24. The worst? The AFC South with 15 wins.

Looking ahead at what each team in the AFC West has left, the Broncos, at least on paper, have the 'easiest' remaining schedule - at least in terms of opponent win/loss.

We'll start with Denver - They'll face the following schedule:

DENVER BRONCOS (3 H, 3A)	W	L
@ San Diego Chargers	4	6
@ Minnesota Vikings	2	8
Vs. Chicago Bears	7	3
Vs. New England Patriots	7	3
@ Buffalo Bills	5	5
Vs. Kansas City Chiefs	4	6
Opponent W/L	29	31

The Broncos have a few things working in their favor. First, their tougher opponents need to come to Sports Authority Field, with the exception of the Chargers on Sunday. While not an extreme home field advantage for San Diego, the Broncos have had trouble winning their, save for 2009. Still the combined record of their three road opponents - 11-19 - is far worse than their home games - 18-12. The Broncos have played well on the road, and will need that to continue.

The Broncos control their own destiny - keep winning and they'll be in the playoffs.

Now for the Raiders, who have it a bit tougher than the Broncos:

OAKLAND RAIDERS(3H, 3A)	W	L
Vs. Chicago Bears	7	3
@ Miami Dolphins	3	7
@ Green Bay Packers	10	0
Vs. Detroit Lions	7	3
@ Kansas City Chiefs	4	6
Vs. San Diego Chargers	4	6
OPPONENT W/L	35	25

Sometimes the records lie a bit. At first glance, the Raiders opponents(35-25) appear to be much tougher than the Broncos. Unfortunately, the Raiders catch a break with the Bears coming to town in the middle of adjusting to Jay Cutler's injury. Their next three games, however, could tell the tale. A trip to Miami - the Dolphins will have 10 days to prepare after taking on Dallas on Thursday - is never easy and the Packers and Lions await after that. The Broncos need to make their move over the next 3 week while hoping the Raiders slip.

How about the Chargers? While I would love to count them out, they have proven in the past to be hard to kill. The Broncos likely have that chance on Sunday but will need to finish Philip Rivers and Co. off. Here is what they have left:

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS(3H, 3A)	W	L
Vs. Denver Broncos	5	5
@ Jacksonville Jaguars	3	7
Vs. Buffalo Bills	5	5
Vs. Baltimore Ravens	7	3
@ Detroit Lions	7	3
@ Oakland Raiders	6	4
OPPONENT W/L	33	27

The Chargers have life, thanks to a pretty easy go of it - IF they get past the Broncos. A trip to Jacksonville, followed by a visit from the fading Bills could have the Chargers sitting at 7-6 heading into the stretch drive. A loss to Denver, however, and San Diego could be in big, big trouble. I prefer the latter.

And now the Chiefs. While still in the thick of it in terms of record, Kansas City is a mess and appears done. If Matt Cassel's injury wasn't enough, check out their remaining schedule:

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3H, 3A)	W	L
Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	7	3
@ Chicago Bears	7	3
@ New York Jets	5	5
Vs. Green Bay Packers	10	0
Vs. Oakland Raiders	6	4
@ Denver Broncos	5	5
OPPONENT W/L	40	20

That's right. The worst the Chiefs have remaining are a pair of 5-5 teams, the Broncos being one of them. With an unproven quarterback and injuries all over the place the Chiefs may be hard pressed to win one of these games. While still technically in the race, we may not include the Chiefs next week.

There you have it. Finally, something other than Tim Tebow to talk about - at least for awhile! Hash it out in the comments, what will it take for the Broncos to win the AFC West?

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 5 recs |

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Comments

If we keep winning we'll be in

Gotta beat the Chargers and Vikings though. Bears will be a tough game still, patriots game will show how we matchup against elite AFC talent, and we have to beat the struggling Bill’s and Beat up Chiefs.

I think our only competition is the Raiders.(That week 1 Loss to them still stings.) But they have a tough stretch. They could easily go 0-4 the next 4 games. Bears have a tough D, Matt Forte and the always dangerous Hester, Miami is playing well, Green Bay and Detroit could easily be losses.

If all goes well we could end up with the 4th or 3rd seed in the AFC. Depends on how the Schaubless Texans do and if the Bengals continue winning.

But the Broncos control their own fate. It’s exciting. A month ago we were in the “Suck for Luck” race

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:04 PM MST reply actions

We also have an inside track on the #6 seed as well.

Beating the Bengals and Jets may come in handy there.

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Nov 22, 2011 1:11 PM MST up reply actions

Yup, the entire AFC is up for grabs

no elite teams, inconsistent teams and beat up teams. We’re rising at the right time

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:14 PM MST up reply actions

Beat the Dolts and Vikes

I concur, beating the Bills, just to be safe, wouldn’t hurt either

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Nov 22, 2011 1:57 PM MST up reply actions

It's exciting.

It looks like the winner of this weeks game between Denver and SD is going to win the AFC West. Let’s hope they don’t have a late run……Go Broncos!

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:12 PM MST reply actions

SD will be out of it if we win, our main competition looks to be the raiders

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:15 PM MST up reply actions

If we win, SD is out......but do you see them losing to Jaguars and the bills?

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:17 PM MST up reply actions

No but they would be at least 2 games out if we beat them

they would a few miracles to get back in it.

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:18 PM MST up reply actions

Yes, if we beat them.

But if we don’t. I see them winning three in a row and having beat us twice.

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:21 PM MST up reply actions

Well let's just say we beat them ;)

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:23 PM MST up reply actions

I see the Broncos winning the AFC West!

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:28 PM MST up reply actions

O.K., Scotty.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Nov 22, 2011 4:03 PM MST up reply actions

seeing them lose to Jax

would be epic!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Nov 22, 2011 1:58 PM MST up reply actions

Also, play around here with this:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Nov 22, 2011 1:14 PM MST reply actions

Been doing that the last hour

so many scenarios

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:15 PM MST up reply actions

There's only one scenario.

11-5 til we aint!

Respect is not given it is earned dog gonit...and they don't respect us...nobody respects us... you know what you got to do in that situation? TAKE IT!!!!!
Follow @MHR_Troy

by Troy Hufford on Nov 22, 2011 1:18 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm going to try a few with SD beating the Broncos this weekend...see if we'll still have a chance.

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Nov 22, 2011 1:18 PM MST up reply actions

I was just about to do the same

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:19 PM MST up reply actions

If we only beat KC, Buffalo, and Minnesota. We can still win the division.

But it will be a close, going down to common-opponent wins. I think if we beat SD, we will all but have locked up the division. Because chances are we will finish up 3-2 in the final strech (losses at Chi and NE)

..We're 5-11 till we're not!
They say the cool is all over me..

by Teboner on Nov 22, 2011 1:50 PM MST up reply actions

I agree.

Huge game this week……see Faiders losing four more games with that schedule.

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:55 PM MST up reply actions

This. Game. Is. Huge.

By far this game @SD is the most crucial game of our season. Every year the Chargers manage to pull their head out of their ass at some point to play better the rest of the way. Better they do that AFTER next weekend. Even if the Raiders manage to win out, don’t look now, but the Broncos are only 1 game out of the wild card, which most years lately has needed a better record to secure. Spot on John, we need to knock down Rivers and Co. this week.

Drinkin the kool-aid, smokin the Orange Kush

by boanst on Nov 22, 2011 1:18 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Every game from here on out will be crucial

SD game will be tough though. They’ll be playing for their playoff lives, their coaches job and their ego. Will be a tough game

by Scotty Payne on Nov 22, 2011 1:20 PM MST up reply actions

Yes, it's Huuuuuge!

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 1:40 PM MST up reply actions

McGahee and Von Doom

A healthy McGahee to keep Rivers on the sidelines and a large dose of Von Doom to make his life miserable when he isn’t.

broncorat

"We want to be violent, aggressive, within the rules and we want to hit you as hard as we can." Dennis Allen

by broncorat on Nov 22, 2011 1:42 PM MST up reply actions

I think you are right. SD is going to be the biggest swing game.

..We're 5-11 till we're not!
They say the cool is all over me..

by Teboner on Nov 22, 2011 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

I hope Rivers enjoys eating some grass

Courtesy of Dumervil and Miller.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 23, 2011 1:47 AM MST up reply actions

i hope Rivers throws up some grass

Drinkin the kool-aid, smokin the Orange Kush

by boanst on Nov 23, 2011 2:05 PM MST up reply actions

Let's win this weekend

and ask questions later!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Nov 22, 2011 1:59 PM MST reply actions

Yes, brad... 1 step each time

And around March we decide what to do with the #32 overall pick.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 23, 2011 1:48 AM MST up reply actions

A more diversified and consistent offensive attack.

Nobody wants to hear that, but that’s what we need. And it starts with #15. He can’t keep counting on the coaches to gimmick up the game plan to compensate. The kid needs to evolve.

Our defense looks to be coming together nicely. How nice it would be to spend our highest draft pick on THAT side of the ball once again.

"Thank the Lord I don't have to live with the roller coaster that you all make out of my life" - Tim Tebow

by TheMastermind on Nov 22, 2011 2:01 PM MST reply actions

With the defense playing lights out, how big is TOP and turnovers?

I said: Run Broncos! Run!

by Kronis on Nov 22, 2011 2:02 PM MST up reply actions

Why would nobody want those?

The difference, I think, is not what we want in the long run, but what we demand immediately.

by idahobronc on Nov 22, 2011 6:50 PM MST up reply actions

Sunday could decide our season

San Diego definitely has the tougher schedule but every game down the stretch is winnable for both us and San Diego. If we lose to San Diego on Sunday we will have dropped the season series to them giving them a huge advantage in the standings.

Chiefs are done, they could pull out an upset or two but they’re done. I see the Raiders losing 2 maybe 3 games the rest of the season and both the Broncos and Chargers losing 2 games after this week which is why this week is so important. Even if the Raiders are able to win the division, we gotta stay in wild card contention since it doesn’t look like a team from the south or east are gonna get a wildcard spot.

Any Given Sunday… Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Nov 22, 2011 2:11 PM MST reply actions

losing to San Diego will hurt us both in the AFC west and wildcard standings

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Nov 22, 2011 2:12 PM MST up reply actions

Good Topic

Thanks for the article. Upcoming opponents will make a difference. You may consider getting someone to proof the next one. “While not an extreme home field advantage for San Diego, the Broncos have had trouble winning their, save for 2009.”

by Dan commentator on Nov 22, 2011 2:17 PM MST reply actions

The Raiders are in the driver's seat.

We need them to lose at least one more game than the Broncos.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Nov 22, 2011 4:05 PM MST reply actions

The tiebreaker if we end up tied with the Raiders

will come down to division record (since we split our head-to-head). Another reason this Sunday’s game is critical…
If we’re tied within the division (we’re both 2-2 now), it goes to common opponents of which there are many…
Just win baby… the rest will take care of itself.
I’m just happy to be in the race at all…still pinching myself actually. I might learn to like this Tebow kid.

by Broncs Cheer on Nov 22, 2011 4:48 PM MST reply actions

It's paramount that we beat the Chargers this week...

Keeping our foot on their throat is the only way I feel comfortable about the division…The tRaiders will fold in the stretch, remember last year the went undefeated in the division and only won 8 games. They’re not that good of a team

by bfree2bronc on Nov 22, 2011 5:09 PM MST reply actions

9-7 gets it done

Chargers, Vikings, Bills, Chiefs all wins. But if we drop one to the Chargers or K.C., it will be harder but the Bears game looks more winable so that could be a possibility. I say 4 wins that includes one over the Chargers.

by Bronco Mike on Nov 22, 2011 5:30 PM MST reply actions

we have to beat the chargers

because they arguably have the easiest remaining schedule. but it will be telling to see how the bears do against the raiders. for the raiders only the chiefs are a gimme even still they could still go 4-2 with the remaining schedule with L to GB and DET. it should be a nail biter the rest of the season

by veggiezaffer on Nov 22, 2011 6:35 PM MST reply actions

Thank for putting it all together, John

Great post.. gives us a great picture of the AFC West projections. We are defitively in the hunt and I think we are the biggest contender to reach the playoffs.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 23, 2011 1:50 AM MST reply actions