Horse Tracks: Kansas City falters, Denver Broncos gain ground on bye week

By the time all the dust settled on Sunday, the Broncos found themselves elevated in the AFC West standings. Kansas City's surprise loss to Tamp Bay at home pulled them even with Denver in terms of wins and losses. However, if the playoffs started today, the Chiefs would still get the edge due to a better conference record, despite having similar division records.

How weird is it that the Oakland Raiders are playing on a Monday night? I'm going to declare this an 'oopsie' by the league's scheduling gnomes. They've put a bunch of stinkers on in prime time and putting Oakland on the national stage has to be an oversight.

All kidding aside, the Raiders tilt with the Brock Osweiler and the Texans in Mexico City is proving to be the most crucial matchup for the Denver Broncos while on their bye. Mexico City's altitude is 2,000 feet higher than Denver and the air quality is some of the poorest the world has to offer. I can't think of better conditions for these two teams to play in.

Will the Raiders be able to hold on to their first place seed after tonight? Can Brock Osweiler break 100-passing yards this week?

We may not want to do it, Broncos fans, but we're going to have to. Dust off that #17 jersey to foolishly bought in haste last year and put it on. Your friends won't judge you for rooting for Brock just one last time. Tonight's Monday Night matchup could press the AFC West race into a three-way tie (with the Chargers gazing up at everyone from a deep dark hole that likely leads to the Rams new stadium in Los Angeles).

We are all Texans fans tonight.

Yeeeee haw?

HORSE TRACKS

C.J. Anderson's knee is healing! EXCLUSIVE: Broncos' C.J. Anderson ahead of schedule in knee recovery - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

The Romo rumors are heating up. Sure, he wants to play for Denver, but will be willing to play for free? That's the only likely scenario where I see it actually happening. Is Tony Romo The Broncos Next QB? Sounds Possible " CBS Denver

After 11 weeks of football, it's time to check in on the Broncos rookie class. Broncos' rookie class reflects on promising start, readies for rest of the season | Denver Broncos

Fashion fluff! Here's a report on clothes. Give them a break, it's their bye week too. Best of travel fashion through Week 10 | Denver Broncos

Former Broncos player and current radio host, Alfred Williams, sheds light on his struggle with panic attacks. Former Denver Bronco on his panic attacks: 'I couldn't figure it out' | 9news.com

So, it turns out that places with few environmental regulations, like Mexico City,  have bad air. Couple that with an altitude higher than that of Denver, you've got yourself an interesting set of circumstances going into a pivotal Monday night matchup. Raiders, Texans could face 'devastating' effects playing at Azteca Stadium | FOX Sports

The Chiefs came up short at home against Tampa Bay and Broncos fans could not have been more excited. KC Chiefs vs Tampa Bay Bucs score & recap | Sunday November 20, 2016 | The Kansas City Star

Meanwhile, the Chargers, likely still mad at the people of San Diego after their stadium issue was voted down earlier this month, are eyeing more friendly climes just up the 5 freeway in Los Angeles. Rams talking to Chargers about potential L.A. move - NFL.com

It did not go well for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Losing A. J. Green and Giovani Bernard in one game is just about as worst-case scenario as it gets. Bengals' Giovani Bernard reportedly tears his ACL in Sunday's loss to the Bills - CBSSports.com

The Browns are starting to look like real contenders to go winless this year. The Browns are so bad they gave up 8 points in 4 plays with no time on the clock - CBSSports.com

The Dolphins are surging after struggling earlier in the season. Jared Goff's debut with the Rams didn't disrupt their newfound momentum. Jared Goff holds steady in debut, but Rams collapse vs. Dolphins | USA TODAY

Speaking of the Rams, coach Jeff Fisher earned a dubious distinction on Sunday. To get a record like this you have to be good enough to coach enough games to do it. Someone please explain to me how Fisher continues to Jedi-mind trick his way out of getting fired when, year-after-year, he puts putrid teams on the field? Rams coach Jeff Fisher makes bad history - NFL.com

Did someone say putrid? The Chicago Bears came up short again on Sunday. Something tells me the offseason can't come soon enough for Bears fans. Chicago Bears lose another and the injuries keep mounting | USA TODAY

The Jaguars are awful. Lions earn sixth comeback win of season vs. Jaguars - NFL.com

The Titans came back to earth on Sunday when Andrew Luck and the Colts upended them. Luck comes up big in Colts' 11th straight win over Titans - NFL.com

The Patriots were treated to yet another cupcake matchup in the San Francisco 49ers. 49ers lose Jimmie Ward to concussion, Eric Reid to torn biceps | ProFootballTalk

Wunderkind Carson Wentz and his Eagles were turned away by Seattle. Carroll: Prosise will miss "a while" with shoulder injury | ProFootballTalk

Sure, trade Christine Michael. What could possibly go wrong? Seahawks lose running back C.J. Prosise for 'a while' due to a shoulder injury - CBSSports.com

What is going on with the Packers? It's not like them to be unwatchable. Kirk Cousins powers Redskins past free-falling Packers | FOX Sports

For the sake of my keeper fantasy football league, someone in the Packers organization needs to read this. 7 reasons the Packers need to rebuild everything around Aaron Rodgers | FOX Sports

You're saying that a 6:30am west coast kickoff time is too early? Can we just end this whole stupid experiment?  The NFL is reportedly considering changing kickoff times for London games - CBSSports.com

Here's the playoff picture for the NFL going into tonight Texans-Raiders game. Broncos are certainly in the mix. NFL Playoff Picture - 2016-2017 NFL Standings - CBSSports.com