Broncos Bury Chiefs in Arrowhead to get to 8-4

Put it this way, the Denver Broncos never have any success at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. They were 1-15 all time there in games in the month of December. The key word is were. The Broncos buried the Kansas City Chiefs 44-13 on Sunday to move to 8-4 and take command of one of the two wildcard spots in the AFC. The win also keeps Denver only a game out of the lead in the AFC West with four games to play. This was a game that you never really felt worried about as the game started and progressed. Even after Kyle Orton threw an interception in the end zone on Denver's opening drive of the game, did it feel like Kansas City was going to upset the Broncos. The key moments in this game involved the Broncos defense and special teams units. With Denver up 7-0, the Chiefs put together a long drive to set up a first and goal at the Denver one yard line. Brian Dawkins stopped Jamal Charles for a three yard loss on first down, and then Dawkins hit Matt Cassel and forced an errant throw in the end zone on third and goal. The Chiefs settled for a field goal and Denver still maintained a 7-3 lead. The other moment came in the first series of the second half. The Chiefs had cut the lead to 14-6 at the half, and they faced a fourth down in their own territory. Chiefs coach Todd Haley elected to go with a fake punt and inserted backup QB Brodie Croyle into the game to throw the ball. Although it appeared that Denver was outflanked, backup TE Richard Quinn rushed Croyle and deflected the ball giving the Broncos possession deep in KC territory. The Broncos settled for a field goal and a seemingly insurmountable 17-6 lead. From there it was all fun and games for Denver. A TD pass from Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall, an Andre Goodman fumble return for a TD, two interceptions by the defense, another Elvis Dumervil sack, two Matt Prater field goals, and a final nail in the coffin on a touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno. It was a terrific effort by the Broncos, and a completely dominating performance over an inferior team.

It now sets up Denver at 8-4. With the Ravens losing on MNF to the Packers, the Broncos stand alone as the top wildcard in the AFC. Denver has a one game lead over Jacksonville, and a two game lead over Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Miami, and the Jets, all of them have 6-6 records. The Broncos remaining schedule is not easy. They hit the road for Indy this week, come home to play Oakland, hit the road to play Philly, and finish the season at Mile High against the Chiefs. If they win the games they are supposed to win, and lose the games they are supposed to lose, they will finish 10-6 and that should be enough to get in. The bottom line is just getting into the playoffs. At this point, no Bronco fan cares about where they end up or seeding- just get in the tournament. By gaining entry to the playoffs, the Broncos would have officially exceeded all expectations for this season, and it has been way too long without playoff football in Denver. Last year, the Broncos were 8-5, and lost their last three games to finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs. This year, they stand at 8-4, and now they need to finish the job. In 2006 and 2008, the Broncos didn't finish, and they led to the dismissal of Mike Shanahan. It is the time to finish, there is no other option. Finish the job and get into the dance because we all know that if you just get into the playoffs, anything can happen.