Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco’s turning point came in Dec. 16 loss to Denver Broncos – At the time, it seemed like a face-planted, body-prone, rock-bottom moment. Instead, Joe Flacco turned his low point into a turning point. In a Dec. 16 game against the Broncos, Baltimore trailed 10-0 late in the first half, but Flacco, the Ravens’ quarterback, used a 43-yard pass play to Jacoby Jones to quickly maneuver his offense into a first-and-goal situation with about 30 seconds remaining. Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Getting best players to play their best is key to any Super Bowl run – Ozzie Newsome has been in the Ravens’ front office, as vice president of player personnel or his current job of general manager, since 1996 — the team’s first year in Baltimore after the move from Cleveland. Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Can Jets, Broncos work another big trade? – The New York Jets and Denver Broncos made headlines last offseason when they combined to make the most-hyped trade in 2012 for Tim Tebow. Could these two teams work out another blockbuster in 2013 with star cornerback Darrelle Revis? Read more from ESPN >>>>

Broncos Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Denver Can Use – When the Broncos’ 2012 season came crashing down two weeks ago, John Elway and staff started looking to the future. On January 14, the Broncos’ pick for the 2013 NFL draft was set; they would pick 28th.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

‘Tis The Season For Denver Broncos To Improve - The Denver Broncos have to get better to contend for postseason honors in 2013-2014. You know that. I know that. And the Broncos know that – from owner Pat Bowlen down to those lucky youngsters who run errands during practices. It should be simple, this self-improvement process. Read more from Predominantly Orange >>>>

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Nearly two weeks later, and the comparisons rage on.

I recently tackled the question of “Which playoff loss was worse: Jacksonville or Baltimore?”

Saturday was painful because the Broncos by many accounts did enough to win, but managed to make just enough mistakes to not. Many could say that makes it worse than 1996 when the Denver Broncos were just outplayed. It’s a valid point, but I think we have to remember the broader context of 1996.

The Jacksonville game came at a time where the conversation had begun about how much longer Elway would be around. When Denver earned home field after a stellar 13-3 season a narrative emerged of finally getting that Super Bowl for Elway. The Broncos had not been in such an opportune position for five years, and with the clock ticking on Elway’s career it seemed this could very well be the team’s last best shot.

Yes, the Ravens divisional-round loss hurt, but the Jaguars loss during the 1996 playoffs was worse. Of course, we know what happened the following season for Denver. The Broncos, fueled by the postseason embarrassment of 1996, won the Super Bowl.

And then Denver won the Super Bowl again. The following year. For good measure.

But the questions remains: Can the 2013 Denver Broncos do the same?

The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla writes:

 While Denver has established the talent base of a legitimate contender, the Broncos must approach next season as if it is their last, best shot to win the NFL title.

The above is perhaps the best one-sentence summary of how the team must approach 2013. It’s a mantra that hopefully players think about daily – from now until February 2014.

The 1997 Denver Broncos laid out a blueprint for the 2013 team, but that path is no guarantee we’ll see a similar result. Bottom line: A lot of things have to go well, be it luck or good fortune, not to mention the league has changed.

Other Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: (VIDEO) Practicing for the Pro Bowl means Peyton Manning gets additional on-field time with Adam Gase and Greg Knapp to get a jump on next season.
• The Denver Post: NFL and college football intersect at Senior Bowl
• The Denver Post: Broncos offense to strive for more power; defense to seek help at MLB
• Mile High Report: 2013 NFL Free Agency: Should the Denver Broncos trade for Revis?
• Predominantly Orange: History Says Broncos’ Fans Have Much To Look Forward To

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Denver Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter will not play in the team’s regular-season finale Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.  Porter, who suffered a concussion in last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns, did not practice this week.

Returner Trindon Holliday (ankle) is doubtful.  He also did not practice this week, an indication that he won’t play.  Guard Chris Kuper (ankle/head) practiced on a limited basis and is listed as questionable.

Here is the updated injury report, including the Kansas City Chiefs, via DenverBroncos.com:

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning still haven’t played a nail-biter in 2012
• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos’ 5 Biggest 2013 Offseason Decisions
• Denver Broncos: Pro Bowl Familiar Territory for This Year’s Selections
• Denver Post: Do the Denver Broncos have what it takes to win the Super Bowl?
• Denver Post: Broncos look to be well grounded for a potential postseason run

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What’s wrong with planning ahead?

Nothing, especially if what you’re planning ahead for is a given…

Say the upcoming NFL playoffs and the 2013 schedule.

Chronologically, let’s talk playoffs first, where the AFC West champion Denver Broncos are fighting for the conference’s No. 1 seed.  If the Broncos win Sunday at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver is guaranteed a first-round bye, even if the Houston Texans hold onto the No. 1 seed.

While getting to the playoffs is one thing, making a deep run is another.  The Broncos are equipped to go very, very far…but still have things to work on, including improved play on special teams.  One turnover can make the difference between playing another week or heading home.

As for the 2013 regular season, we now know all of Denver’s opponents.

Home:

• Kansas City
• Oakland
• San Diego
• Jacksonville
• Tennessee
• Philadelphia
• Washington
• Baltimore

Away:

• Kansas City
• Oakland
• San Diego
• Houston
• Indianapolis
• Dallas
• N.Y. Giants
• New England

Notice that Peyton Manning will play against his former team and against his brother Eli’s team – both on the road.

The complete schedule will be released in April.

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Manning, Peterson, Pagano: 2012 a year to remember
• CBS Denver: Demaryius Thomas Has Blossomed Into No 1 Receiver For Denver Broncos
• Denver Broncos: Elvis Dumervil: The Closer
• Denver Post: Broncos-Patriots NFL playoff match-up already on the front burner for some
• NFL.com: Why the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl favorites

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It’s time to do a little renovating.

About $30 million worth. 

Sports Authority Field at Mile High will undergo $30 million in improvements this offseason.   The project includes installing a new HD video board, updating the current video boards, swapping out TVs in the concourses and public areas, and a paint job.

These changes could also help Denver’s chances of landing an upcoming Super Bowl, something the city is interested in doing.

On the injury front, it’s looking more and more like Chris Kuper (ankle) will not suit up Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.  Kuper missed Friday’s practice, and is officially listed as doubtful.  The right guard has been plagued by injuries in 2012.

Fullback Chris Gronkowski (hamstring) is listed as questionable.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: The 8 Best Highlights of the Denver Broncos’ 2012 Season So Far
• Denver Broncos: Dominating Defense Fuels Win Streak
• Denver Broncos: Broncos vs. Browns: Final Preview
• Denver Post: Broncos’ Mike Adams looks forward to Sunday reunion with Browns

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Note: I wrote briefly about the NFL MVP race on Tuesday, but wanted to go more in-depth on the battle between the two likely front-runners, Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson.

I would love to see Peyton Manning earn his record fifth MVP award this season.

Peyton Manning could be closing in on his fifth league MVP. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

I will in no way be disappointed if he doesn’t.

First, what I think:

If the Denver Broncos avoid an upset in the final two weeks, they finish at 13-3.  Do the Broncos achieve that mark without Manning?  No.  Are they significantly worse?  Maybe, but maybe not.  The Broncos finished 8-8 a season ago with exciting, yet incredibly uneven play from the quarterback position.  The defense was good last year, and would likely be good this year as well.  Barring a glut of turnovers from the offense, the Broncos would likely finish in that “not good, but not terrible” zone, somewhere between 6-10 and 9-7 without Manning. So even with the best case scenario (9-7), that still an additional 4 wins Manning provides.

So as this is a discussion of “value,” the question is whether any of the other top candidates have as much of or more of an impact?  All of it is a what-if guessing game.  The New England Patriots are still probably a .500 team or better without Tom Brady and the Minnesota Vikings would still be opening holes for a different running back, but probably not getting the great open field work Adrian Peterson offers.  What can be stated with confidence is that the majority of an average 2011 Broncos team was given to Manning and is now among the NFL elite.  That’s pretty darn valuable.

What Manning thinks (or will say publicly):

It’s not about MVPs, it’s about Super Bowls.

Why we should listen to Peyton:

If Peterson rushes for 190 yards, and 4 touchdowns to help the Vikings beat the Houston Texans this weekend, I’ll be thrilled.  It would put the Broncos a game away from potentially inheriting home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

If Peterson’s quest for the MVP in some way helps the Broncos in reaching a Super Bowl then I’m all for it. If Denver manages to win the Super Bowl this year, the lasting narrative for the 2012 season will be how Peyton Manning came back after multiple neck surgeries and guided a new team to a World Championship.

Who wins the MVP is a footnote compared to that.

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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

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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 make a commitment to run game, close out Raiders - Through the shortened week, before the Broncos had arrived in the Bay Area for their Thursday night appearance, quarterback Peyton Manning had predicted the calendar would kick-start Denver’s running game.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Can Broncos run with Knowshon Moreno’s recent redemption to Super Bowl? - Maybe the fact Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno gained 119 yards in a 26-13 victory against Oakland should be no surprise. He has been in a far darker spot than the Black Hole.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Peyton Manning, Broncos’ star power enough to beat Raiders in Oakland - There are times when football is not about the team. It’s about the stars. The guys with the stats and Pro Bowls and awards. The Broncos stars are, in order, Peyton Manning, Von Miller, Demaryius Thomas and Champ Bailey.  With apologies to such solid, contributors such as Joel Dreessen, Zane Beadles, Rahim Moore and Justin Bannan, the four stars were the difference in the Broncos’ fairly easy 26-13 victory Thursday night against their hapless rivals, the Oakland Raiders.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Ground Game Gets It Done - The Broncos had a short week of practice leading up to the Thursday night game — but in the time they had, improvement in the running game was a major point of emphasis.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

At Home on the Road in the AFC West - It’s never easy to win on the road, especially against division rivals, but over the past two years, the Broncos have seemed comfortable doing just that.  Thursday’s win at Oakland completed the road portion of the team’s divisional schedule with the club a perfect 6-0 road record against the Raiders, Chargers and Chiefs over the last two years.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos not perfect, but sidestep trap - Peyton Manning probably will stew all weekend.  While his team enjoys an early-December Sunday away from football, knowing it put heat on the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, Manning probably will keep himself up at night thinking about those missed red zone opportunities.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Peyton Manning, Broncos romp past Oakland Raiders as Denver wins eighth straight, 26-13 - After overwhelming another overmatched division rival, Peyton Manning and the streaking Denver Broncos can turn their attention to much more meaningful opponents.  Manning threw for 310 yards and had his 30th touchdown pass of the season on the game’s opening drive to help the Broncos roll to their eighth straight victory, 26-13 over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.  Read more from Associated Press >>>>

Manning keeps Denver rolling - Manning threw interceptions on the Broncos’ first three possessions in a Week 2 loss to Atlanta, then struggled again the next week as Houston won in Denver.  But Manning flipped the switch in Week 4 against Oakland — he completed nearly 80 percent of his passes (30-for-38) and fired three touchdowns in a 37-6 win. Thursday night, he haunted the reeling Raiders again, throwing for 310 yards and a TD as Denver cruised to a 26-13 win.  Read more from SI >>>> 

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The Carolina Panthers are such a distant memory for the Denver Broncos.

Now it’s all about the San Diego Chargers in a critical AFC West battle.

Defensive end Elvis Dumervil sat out Wednesday’s practice with a left shoulder strain.  Head coach John Fox said Monday Dumervil is “day-to-day,” likely meaning he’s questionable for Sunday’s game.  Guard Chris Kuper, still nursing a sprained ankle, participated on a limited basis, but it still expected to be out for a few weeks.  It was Kuper’s first practice since his injury ten days ago against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The other notable newcomer to practice Wednesday was linebacker D.J. Williams, who has yet to play this season because of back-to-back suspensions.

Meanwhile, cornerback Tracy Porter has still not been cleared to practice.

Moving on…

Peyton Manning’s leadership skills are always on display game day, from commanding the offense on the field to coaching that same unit on the sidelines.  Using some insight from Manning himself, the Denver Post shed some light on the “de-briefing” sessions:

…Manning told reporters Wednesday that in those situations he is speaking with the entire offense, although the camera angle might show only the linemen closest to him.

“It’s something that we’ve decided to do after every series as an offensive unit,” Manning said. “We’re just trying to hash out what’s going on out there — good or bad.

“We kind of call it our ‘debriefing’ session,” he added. “(Previously) we had some military guys talk to us about doing that, and coach (John) Fox encouraged us to buy into it.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: There’s more to the Broncos’ success than Peyton Manning.
• Denver Broncos: Players salute soldiers at Fort Carson.
• Fox News Sports Network: The Broncos are Super Bowl contenders.
• Opposing Views: The Broncos and Chargers are headed in different directions.

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Denver Broncos suspended linebacker D.J. Williams will serve 30 days of in-home detention for a driving while ability impairs (DWAI) conviction.  His sentence, handed out today in Denver County Court, will start Feb. 7, meaning should the Denver Broncos play in the Super Bowl, he’s eligible.

Prosecutors reportedly wanted Williams to spend a month in jail.

As part of his sentence, Williams must serve two years probation, perform 56 hours of community service, pay nearly $2,400 in court costs, and attend alcohol education classes.

Williams just wrapped up a six-game suspension for submitting a “non-human” urine sample, and is now serving a three-game suspension for his DWAI.  Williams is now allowed to attend team meetings, but cannot practice until Nov. 12.

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