Thanks to recent snow – which should have stayed in the mountains as far as I’m concerned – the Denver Broncos practiced Wednesday indoors.  (More on that in a moment.)

Right guard Chris Kuper did not practice.  He has been inactive the last two games with an ankle sprain.  Fullback Chris Gronkowski also missed practice.

View Wednesday’s injury report >>>>

Now back to where the Broncos practiced Wednesday…

As many of you know, when there’s inclement weather – be it lightning, blowing snow, etc. – the Broncos take a short bus ride from the team’s headquarters to a nearby indoor training facility, the South Suburban Sports Dome in Centennial. It’s a facility primarily used for soccer.

Which begs the question: Shouldn’t the Broncos have their own indoor practice facility?

The Denver Post reports the team is considering such a move.  Team president Joe Ellis said:

“We’ve had several discussions about building an indoor facility and are giving it strong consideration.  While nothing is finalized, we certainly understand how important it is for our team to have an indoor facility at some point in the very near future.”

History revisited: You might remember the Broncos did have a “bubble,” which was proved no match to a windstorm back in 2003.

The team believes an indoor facility will improve player safety and be an incentive for free agents who have “weather reservations” about Colorado.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos’ Biggest Concerns Heading into NFL Playoffs
• CBS Denver: Denver Broncos Fans Should Enjoy The Ride
• Denver Broncos: Not Judging Browns by Record
• Denver Broncos: ‘Next Man Up’ Paying Dividends
• Denver Post: Broncos’ Peyton Manning finds exec John Elway to be “great resource”
• Denver Post: Randy Gradishar believes Von Miller has what it takes for NFL award
• NFL.com: Denver Broncos almost drafted Brandon Weeden

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Peyton, Adrian…or even Tom?

Who should – or will – be this season’s NFL MVP?

Crap, I don’t know, but I’ll share my thoughts with you anyway.

The way I see it, it’s really a two-man race between Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.  Forget Tom Brady.  What makes this showdown perhaps even more enticing, or at the least curious, is both players are also coming off significant injury/health problems.

That also makes the leading MVP candidates also candidates for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Nutty, right?

Peyton or Adrian? Adrian or Peyton? (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Manning has returned to his typical form – leading the Broncos to an 11-3 and within striking distance of the AFC’s No. 1 seed come playoff time.  (Right now, the Broncos are the No. 2 seed if the playoffs started today.)  Not a bad day’s work considering there were concerns Manning’s career was over.  Heck, even actor Rob Lowe “reported” Manning was set to retire.

This just in: Rob Lowe was wrong.

As for Peterson, he tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee not even a year ago.  Not only did he recover quicker than anticipated, he came back as strong as ever.

How’s this for a comeback?  Peterson needs to average 174 yards in the Vikings’ final two games to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 set back in 1984.

Adrian Peterson is the Minnesota Vikings.

Now as for who is more deserving of MVP, I ask this: Could you really go wrong with either player? You can make an equally compelling case for each – for both MVP and Comeback Player of the Year.

How do Denver-area readers feel about the MVP race?  It’s predictably Manning by a landslide.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos: Preview and Predictions
• Denver Broncos: Spreading the Ball Around
• Denver Broncos: Denver Controls Destiny, Remains Focused
• Denver Post: Broncos’ Chris Harris shows his value both inside, outside vs. Ravens

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Note: On days following the Denver Broncos game, Denver Horse Force will deliver the headlines midday to include more dissection, breakdown, and of course, the very latest analysis and Denver Broncos news from around the web.

Broncos, Peyton Manning run over Ravens for ninth straight win - The Broncos first clinched no worse than the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed Sunday by trouncing the Baltimore Ravens, 34-17, then learned a few hours later on the team bus ride from Denver International Airport to their Dove Valley headquarters that they are in the lead position for the No. 2 seed — because the New England Patriots were on their way to losing 41-34 to the San Francisco 49ers.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos’ defense limits Ravens’ stars in runaway victory - One of the chisel-it-in-stone items for any defensive coordinator is: Don’t let the stars beat you.  Don’t let the opponent’s best players, running their favorite plays, pile up the yards and touchdowns.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Woody Paige: Thanks to Broncos’ Chris Harris, a very Orange Christmas - Merry Christmas.  Chris “Kringle” Harris gift-wrapped a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown that put the Broncos in a festive holiday mood Sunday afternoon.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Moreno Paces Offense - With the Broncos ahead 31-3 entering the fourth quarter, the running backs carried the load as the game wound down.  Denver ran the ball 17 times in the final period and threw it just once.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Getting Better All the Time - Though plenty went right for the Broncos in the team’s 34-17 win at Baltimore on Sunday, each player in the locker room knows that there is still room for improvement.  “We just try to get better every week,” Head Coach John Fox said. “Right now, our guys have responded well to just improving every week.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos Get Franchise’s First Win in Baltimore - Entering the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Ravens, the Broncos had never won a game in Baltimore.  That changed on Sunday.  “(Owner and CEO) Pat Bowlen has owned the team for 29 years and has averaged 10 wins a season over that 29-year period,” Head Coach John Fox said. “But it’s the first time he’s won in this building. I was proud to see that for him.” Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Denver Broncos: Moving On - Here are some areas the Denver Broncos need to focus on after a 34-17 road win at Baltimore on Sunday.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Broncos show Ravens how NFL defense is really played - With a wrecking-ball defense, the Broncos came to the NFL town Ray Lewis built and tore it down. Forty-five minutes after Denver’s 34-17 victory against Baltimore, a tractor swept the stadium turf, picking up the shards of quarterback Joe Flacco’s ego. And for every team with a coaching vacancy, write down these three words: Jack Del Rio.  Read more from Baltimore Sun >>>>

Denver Broncos extend Baltimore Ravens’ woes - Sunday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens was supposed to feature two Super Bowl contenders angling for a playoff bye.  It ended with one team looking unstoppable and the other in a free fall that might not stop until the offseason.  Read more from NFL.com >>>>

Knowshon Moreno running wild for Denver Broncos - Denver possesses a player that runs like a wild stallion in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Knowshon Moreno.  Moreno has been a beast for the Broncos over the last four weeks, stepping up to the task of filling in for Willis McGahee following his partial MCL tear.  Read more from Examiner >>>>

Broncos vs. Ravens: Denver Makes a Statement - The Denver Broncos have won nine games in a row and should no longer be doubted as one of the elite teams in football. The Broncos beat up on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday en route to a 34-17 victory that pushed their record to 11-3.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>> 

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With the NFL playoffs mere weeks away, we’re at the point in the season: seeding talk.

The Denver Broncos are guaranteed to be in the playoffs, but are jockeying for seeding in the AFC.  It’s unlikely, but possible the Broncos could snag the No. 1 seed; Denver cannot finish lower than the No. 4 seed, meaning at least one playoff game will be at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in January.

Of course, the only thing the Broncos can control is what they do on the field.  They can’t worry about the other teams.

Bottom line: If the Broncos keep winning, a top seed will fall their way.  But recent history suggests it really doesn’t matter.  As safety Mike Adams told the Denver Post:

“Having not ever been to the playoffs, I don’t want to be happy about getting in or how we get in. I want to win the thing.  This is my first barbecue. I don’t care where we’re at. That’s my mind-set.”

Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas says he and teammates don’t discuss home field advantage:

“We don’t talk about it.  We know it’s there. We know it’s going to be tough to get there. But we’re just trying to go out there and win our next game. We’re trying to put all the work in, and at the end of the day we’ll see what spot we get.”

For the record, if the playoffs started today, the Broncos would be the No. 3 seed in the AFC.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Is Knowshon Moreno Key to the Denver Broncos’ Playoff Run?
• Bleacher Report: Questions the Denver Broncos Must Answer in the Playoffs
• CBS Denver: Rahim Moore Has Been Backbone In Denver Broncos Secondary
• Denver Broncos: VIDEO – Pre-Baltimore Breather: Justin Bannan on the benefit of an extended break before facing Baltimore.
• Denver Broncos: Mitch Unrein has made contributions in every facet of the game in 2012.
• Rant Sports: Denver Broncos: The Only Team That Can Beat the New England Patriots

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There’s a lot on the line come Sunday.  The Denver Broncos are thick in the hunt for the AFC’s No. 2 in the NFL playoffs.

Denver’s next opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, are also fighting for playoff seeding, and are coming off a Week 14 loss to the Washington Redskins.  Not only did the Ravens lose, so did offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who was fired Monday.

Ray Lewis is eligible for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. (courtesy Keith Allison)

So, yes, Sunday’s game is important.  Ravens safety Ed Reed knows that as well as anyone:

“Denver is a good team, and coming here after a few extra days off, it’s going to be challenging.  But we’re up for it. We’ll get back to Baltimore and get this train rolling the right way. … We know what Peyton Manning brings. Everybody knows what Peyton Manning brings.”

But the Ravens could be a big boost.  Middle linebacker Ray Lewis is eligible to play Sunday.  He’s been out since Week 6 with a triceps tear, but was placed on injured reserve with the “designated to return” label.  It’s unclear if Lewis will play.

More Ravens Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview and Predictions
• Denver Broncos:  VIDEO  -  Fox: ‘This is Obviously a Big Game’
• Denver Post: Ravens in tough stretch going into game vs. Broncos

Other Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: Woodyard Active as Spectator
• Denver Broncos: Broncos Feeling Recharged

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Ten wins on the season.

Eight wins in a row.

At least one home playoff game guaranteed.

We know the Denver Broncos are on a roll…but can that roll take them all the way to New Orleans?  The chatter surrounding the Super Bowl seems to intensify with each and every win.  Current Super Bowl odds place the Broncos at 8-to-1 favorites to win, odds that trail only three other teams.

Want more about the playoffs?

• Bleacher Report: Why the Denver Broncos, Not the Texans or Falcons, Should Be Super Bowl Favorite
• SB Nation: NFL playoff race: How far can the Denver Broncos go?

More Post-Raiders Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: The upside to a four-day break between games?  The 10-day break that follows.
• Denver Post: Players are getting a brief rest before preparing for the Oakland Raiders.
• Denver Post: Opposing defenses learning it’s worth risk to pressure Peyton Manning

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

In less than three days, the AFC West champion Denver Broncos will play at Oakland against the Raiders.

With such a short turnaround between games, it’s not your typical week in and around Dove Valley.  For starters, the first injury report is already out for both teams.  Curiously, neither team practiced today, so this injury report is the hypothetical “if there had been practice today” type of thing.  Among the highlights:

For Robert Ayers is back in Denver after missing much of last week due to the death of his father. According to the team, WR Matthew Willis (knee) and LB Wesley Woodyard (ankle) would have been held out of practice, and WR Brandon Stokley, who was inactive Sunday, would have participated on a limited basis.

Even though Denver has clinched a playoff spot, the Broncos know there’s room for improvement.  Head coach John Fox addressed the team’s turnover ratio, saying it’s not up to snuff with the NFL’s elite.  Fox used the 2003 Carolina Panthers, a team he coached to the Super Bowl, as an example:

“That’s a big reason why we reached the Super Bowl.  The important thing is getting in the tournament and then playing really well when you get in. … We want to start building for that and we want to start this week against Oakland.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders preview
• Denver Post: Sports Authority Field at Mile High is Peyton Manning’s house, so play by his rules.
• Rant Sports: Demaryius Thomas is an elite wide receiver.
• USA Today: Some of Tim Tebow’s ex-Broncos teammates are speaking out anonymously about the quarterback…and agree with the New York Jets.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Nothing, doggone it.  Absolutely nothing.

Okay, let’s back up a bit.  In his Monday column, the Denver Post’s Woody Paige gave the Denver Broncos defense a nickname, a name near and dear to my heart:

The Broncos now have the unified strength of the Horse Force defense and the Orange Stampede offense.

My initial reaction, as the creator of Denver Horse Force: That’s great!  I love it!  But after reading the comments section it seems some of you Broncos fans out there dislike the name.  To each his own, but I respectfully disagree.

The newest Denver Bronco is speaking out about his gig.  Running back Jacob Hester had been out of work since being released by the San Diego Chargers in the preseason.  He worked out with a few teams…and waited until he got his chance.  He’s ready to embrace his new home:

“Being with one team your whole career, and then all of a sudden that ends, and for 11 or 12 weeks you kind of head home, not really knowing.  You do the workouts, whatever, and hope to get in a good situation. And luckily I fell into a great one.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Don’t be concern about the Broncos’ narrow victory in KC.
• Denver Post: A strong running game is the Broncos’ defensive weakness.
• Denver Post: DE Robert Ayers was excused from the team to be with family after the passing of his father.

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It seems the Denver Broncos are content with the ground game effort of Lance Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and Knowshon Moreno.

The team released practice squad running back Jeremiah Johnson Friday, a move the Denver Post calls “procedural,” since the intent is to re-sign Johnson early next week.  As for Hillman, the rookie anticipates additional snaps Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he’s looking forward to the chance:

 ”I’m very excited.  It’s just another opportunity to play ball and I’m looking forward to going out there to play.”

Video Links:

• NFL Films previews: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
• Friday press conference: John Fox

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Why the Broncos are confident they’ll avoid the late-season wear down.
• Bleacher Report: Peyton Manning makes a case for league MVP.
• CBS Denver: Broncos at Chiefs game preview
• ESPN: The league’s elite teams know how to finish the strong.
• Rant Sports: Broncos at Chiefs game preview

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Happy Thanksgiving, Broncos fans!

With Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee on Injured Reserve until at least the AFC Championship game – assuming Denver makes it that far – the team must now focus on moving on.

The Broncos have yet to announce how they’ll fill McGahee’s role.  The team now has a roster spot available, and could either move up practice squad running back Jeremiah Johnson or could sign a free agent.  The team worked out Steve Slaton earlier this week, and brought in ex-San Diego Charger Jacob Hester Wednesday.  The Denver Post speculates Denver will sign someone this week:

The team is likely to sign a free-agent running back this week, although it will go with a tailback committee of Ronnie Hillman, Lance Ball and Knowshon Moreno when it plays at Kansas City on Sunday.

A third-round draft pick out of LSU in 2008, Hester played four seasons with the Chargers, including 16 games last year when he rushed for 90 yards on 28 carries. He was released by the Chargers in training camp and has not caught on since.

Quarterback Peyton Manning is confident the team will succeed without McGahee, though he told reporters Wednesday the veteran will be missed:

“We have that ‘next man up’ philosophy around here. Other teams have it and coach (John) Fox certainly has it.  We’ve had other players get injured and other players have stepped up, whether it was Chris Kuper or Tracy Porter or whoever it was.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Look for these Broncos to be difference makers down the stretch.
• Denver Post: Ex-Bronco and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn talks about getting to start against his former team Sunday.
• Mile High Sports: The Broncos are just talked about around Denver, but around the nation as well.

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