Happy New Year, Broncos Country!
One bit of history has been made, and the Denver Broncos are on the verge of even more. Perhaps that will motivate this team that doesn’t have anything to play for today.
The history in the books is that the Broncos have been swept by the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time since 2000. If Denver loses today to the Oakland Raiders it will be the first time since 1980 that the organization will lose all four games to its hated rivals. Add in the loss to the New England Patriots, and that’s 0-5 against the team’s biggest rivals. That’s rank.
As Adam Malnati and I said on the Mile High Report Radio Podcast, that needs to change today. The Broncos have to end this season on a positive note. Beat the Raiders and keep that unsightly result in 1980. The other plus is they would do their part to keep Oakland and Jack Del Rio from winning the AFC West. Of course, Kansas City has to take care of the San Diego Chargers, but the Broncos would take care of their end.
There’s no doubt it’s just the Raider Hater in me, but that’s all the motivation Denver needs for this game. In the process it would mule kick the 2016 season into the recesses of our minds to never be thought about again.
Broncos Tracks
Family reflects on 10-year anniversary of Williams' death
DENVER (AP) — The teenager glances at the picture in his room of Darrent Williams returning a kick, reading the inscription he long ago memorized. "To my wonderful son, Darius, daddy will always love you. Keep doing good in school, in sports. When you think of me, and I'm not there, look at this picture."
Through My Eyes: Von Miller thanks Broncos Country
The Super Bowl 50 MVP reflects on the highs and lows of 2016 and anticipates what's to come in 2017.
Five Broncos things you should know: Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch's workload vs. Raiders, & more
The ideal situation would involve splitting their reps down the middle ... also, Matt Paradis discusses his upcoming hip surgeries and his hoped-for recovery timetable.
Three Keys to Broncos-Raiders
After four losses in five games knocked them out of the postseason race, the Broncos hope to end a disappointing season on a high note.
Five Key Matchups: Raiders vs. Broncos
Take a look at the five most-important matchups of the Broncos' final game of the season.
Mason's Mailbag: O-line, scheme, veterans in Week 17 and more
New Year's Eve is going to be more about reflection than celebration for the Broncos.
Three offseason priorities for Denver Broncos - NFL.com
Chris Wesseling examines three offseason priorities for the Denver Broncos, who failed to reach the playoffs just one year after winning Super Bowl 50.
Three offseason priorities for Denver Broncos - NFL.com
Chris Wesseling examines three offseason priorities for the Denver Broncos, who failed to reach the playoffs just one year after winning Super Bowl 50.
Will Broncos' changes affect coaches on both sides of the ball, including Wade Phillips? - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com
The Broncos' offense owns one touchdown in 14 quarters. It's a near certainty there will be changes among the offensive staff. But what's next for Wade Phillips, whose contract expires at season's end.
Denver Broncos enter season finale in a 'weird' place - AFC West- ESPN
Out of the playoffs for the first time since 2010, the Broncos' players aren't really sure how to respond to their Week 17 game against the Raiders.
3 players the Broncos should consider trading for in 2017 | Broncos Wire
The Denver Broncos need to consider trading for three players during he 2017 NFL offseason, including Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas.
Denver Broncos: Calais Campbell could be great free agent fit
The Denver Broncos, in need of some help along the defensive line, could look to veteran Calais Campbell, a Denver native, in the offseason.
AFC West Tracks
Chiefs' playoff seeding is not as important as it seems right now | The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Chiefs are flawed enough to lose a home game after a bye, and effective enough to play to the Super Bowl from the wild-card round. They’ve proved that over and over again this season.
Chiefs’ Travis Kelce is doing things most tight ends can’t do | The Kansas City Star
In what has become a special season for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, no play better encapsulated his unique combination of gifts than his 80-yard touchdown against Denver on Sunday.
Even Chiefs don't know whether Denver game was true offensive progress
After an up-and-down season on offense, the Chiefs hope they've finally found some balance and momentum heading into the playoffs.
Andy Reid says he won’t be looking for the Raiders-Broncos score during Chiefs game - Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs need to beat the Chargers and the Denver Broncos need to beat the Oakland Raiders in order for the Chiefs to earn the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC playoffs and a first-round bye.
Raiders positioned to wrap up West - San Francisco Chronicle
With a playoff spot already in hand, Oakland (12-3) can win the AFC West with a victory over the Broncos in Denver.
Raiders Matt McGloin scraps his way from Scranton to NFL playoffs spotlight
When star quarterback Derek Carr sustained a broken fibula during a Christmas Eve game, that sickening snap could just as well have applied to the Raiders’ hopes of winning a championship.
Oakland Raiders' Mario Edwards Jr. responding well to first action
DE Mario Edwards Jr. said his first regular-season action in a year for the Raiders left him no worse for wear and he's excited for what's ahead.
Jalen Richard approaching Bo Jackson, Tim Brown numbers and other Raiders player milestones within reach in season finale - Silver And Black Pride
After covering the franchise marks that the Raiders can reach as a team Sunday in Denver, now we look at those player milestones that would put them in the Franchise record books.
Is there life beyond the Chargers? - The San Diego Union-Tribune
If the Chargers leave, what will that mean to San Diego?
Appropriately awkward end for Chargers? - The San Diego Union-Tribune
San Diego wondering what to expect in Chargers' possible final game at Qualcomm Stadium.
Chargers' D.J. Fluker's wish for troubled teens: Make that change
D.J. Fluker challenged kids to find the fire within themselves and use that as motivation to do what's needed to get out of their situations.
Report: Antonio Gates leaning towards returning? - Bolts From The Blue
Looks like Gates’ career won’t be one of 2016’s victims.
NFL Tracks
A look at NFL playoff teams and contenders ahead of Week 17 games - LA Times
As the NFL heads into its final weekend of the regular season, a look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of teams that are either in the playoffs or on the verge of getting in.
The 10 best things about Sunday's Week 17 NFL games
Check out our Sunday bests.
Five matchups that will define NFL Week 17: Can Rodgers complete Packers' push?
NFC North showdown could be decided by hot-handed QB.
Ten things to watch in NFL Week 17: Steve Smith, Packers-Lions, Falcons, McGloin time - CBSSports.com
Who's resting the final week? Who will win the sack title? Here are the big storylines for Sunday.
NFL-Plenty at stake in Sunday's close to regular season
A showdown between the Packers and Lions that brings down the curtain on the National Football League's regular season may offer the most drama, but there is much at stake in Sunday's final slate of games.
NFL playoff projections: Sorry, Lions. Packers and Redskins will move on - The Washington Post
Three NFC teams are fighting for the last two playoff spots available. Here's who should make the cut.
NFL playoff scenarios, Week 17: Patriots can clinch top seed, Lions vs. Packers decides NFC North - SBNation.com
These clinching scenarios are hard to keep track of.
The Week 17 Games That Actually Matter | FiveThirtyEight
Week 16 was a decisive one for the NFL, with six teams clinching playoff spots and eight getting eliminated.
Will Tom Cable get a second chance as an NFL head coach?
Tom Cable's tenure with the Raiders ended in controversy, but he won't dodge questions.
An open letter to the Football Gods: What gives?! - NFL.com
Who would set the Raiders on a compelling playoff collision course with the Patriots -- only to break Derek Carr's leg? The Football Gods, that's who. Well, Dan Hanzus is not going to take it anymore.