Playoff Bound?

The Denver Broncos are masters of their postseason destiny this week. Win and they’re in the playoffs. If the Raiders lose to the Chargers, they’re also in. Twin losses would make the Broncos more lucky than good and will unlikely lead to any kind of playoff success. The Broncos have had a difficult two weeks leading to the season finale losing by large margins to the Patriots and the Bills behind turnovers and porous defense, two traits absent in their six game winning streak. Sports commentators itching for an end to Tim Tebow’s success were provided ammunition to point out flaws in his game and just as he was said to have been credited too much when the team was winning he was loaded with much blame in defeat and definitely played at a lower level.

This week’s opponents, the Chiefs are quarterbacked by Kyle Orton, the former Broncos starter benched in favor of Tebow earlier this season and unceremoniously cut several weeks ago to save Denver from paying his salary. Orton ended up being claimed by three teams after being cut and has played well for the Chiefs. Because of the history it is impossible not to consider the implications of Orton wanting to extract ‘revenge’ against the team that cut him but it’s not too certain. After all, what scenario would be better for a soon-to-be free agent quarterback? Sitting on the bench for a team with zero interest in resigning them, or being cut in-season and starting for a new team a week later as an audition for future suitors? Orton was not playing well for the Broncos and he is in a better personal situation. Because of his knowledge of the Broncos, Orton could provide advantages for the Chiefs this week but it doesn’t seem as though there is much of a motive for revenge, other than the bothers associated with moving.

Whatever happens will happen this week and the Broncos couldn’t ask for better conditions. They, after all, know as much of Orton as he does of them and the game is in Denver against a team that they have already beaten this season. I will be cheering for a Raiders loss like I always do but I don’t want Denver to enter the playoffs by default, go Broncos.