Broncos’ scenario: From No. 1 seed to missing playoffs

It is hard to analyze his first season as a head coach without constantly comparing him to the New York Jets last head coach. Denver would fall to 6-5 in the AFC with a loss to the Bengals, while the Jets would improve to 7-4 with a victory over the Patriots, both teams would have an overall record of 10-5. But the Chiefs technically remain first in the race by virtue of their 8-2 record in AFC games. Accordingly, Denver simply needs to stay ahead of the Chiefs to secure a home playoff game. There are solid reasons for that, mostly because of an offense that has scored 30 points or more in six consecutive games. With one more win, the Patriots would clinch the top seed and homefield advantage in the conference. Asked specifically about the Steelers’ comeback win, Bowles offered a slight chuckle.

“It’s a different feeling about the game”.

“We don’t know what our chances are”, Bowles said.

Here’s why NY is on the outside looking in for the playoffs: the Chiefs and Steelers are simply too hot, and have the easiest schedules the rest of the way.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have good possibilities to be the No. 3 (44 percent), No. 5 (35 percent) and No. 6 (16 percent).

The final line is this: It’s possible the Broncos could go into their final week 17 game against the San Diego Chargers with a range from capturing the No. 1 AFC playoff seed to missing the playoffs altogether. They can also clinch at least a wild-card spot with a win and a loss or tie by the Jets (to the Patriots) or the Steelers (to the Ravens).

Again, a lot can change (if the Chiefs win the division, they could end up facing Denver or the Jets).

“They’re not much different” from the first encounter”, Bowles said. “I can’t control what Pittsburgh or Denver does, so we’ve just got to get ready for New England this week and however it plays out, it plays out”. The Cincinnati Bengals ground game is averaging 110.9 yards per contest, and Giovani Bernard leads the way with 680 yards and two touchdowns. He continues to provide the Jets the leadership and maturity they’ve lacked out of the quarterback position since Chad Pennington’s peak. Fitzpatrick (five carries for 13 yards) earned that gash across the bridge of his nose on one of his scrambles. Defensively, there are no metrics to suggest that the Steelers will go far in the playoffs. But for the most part it was just better execution. The last pick, in the final minute by CB Marcus Williams, came on an underthrown Hail Mary by QB Kellen Moore.

Another concern for the Jets is the kicking game. But almost half that yardage came on a pair of 33-yard gains by RB Darren McFadden (16 carries for 100 yards) and WR Lucky Whitehead. Headed into the game, the Jets, a team who should expect to make the playoffs, were expected to roll over their foes, but that did not happen. DeAngelo Williams had just 26 yards on 14 attempts. WR Jeremy Kerley’s lone punt return, a seven-yarder, helped set up the drive that ended with Decker’s touchdown. However we showed earlier this year that we can play with New England, and we’ve grown as a team. The Cowboys’ defense presented a tougher challenge than anticipated but offensive coordinator Chan Gailey kept Fitzpatrick from lapsing into desperation mode even though Marshall and Decker were battling injuries and Ivory was ineffective. The fact of the matter is that this unit does not have the potential to dominate opposing offenses like it has in the past.