ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- For the first time in years, the Broncos are clearly pursuers in the AFC West, trailing the first-place Raiders by two games and a tiebreaker disadvantage.
Furthermore, the Broncos returned to the locker room Monday knowing that if the postseason began right there and then, it would happen without them -- and knowing that even if they win all of their remaining games, there is no guarantee they would be in the playoffs -- although it would take a precise and unlikely series of circumstances for the Broncos to be out if they close with five wins in a row.