DENVER, Colo. - The odds aren't good. However, the Broncos can still make the postseason. To quote Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber: "So you're saying there's a chance!"
Carrey's character, Lloyd Christmas, was responding to Mary Swanson's million-to-one odds that the two would ever date. That type of suspension of reality is exactly what the Broncos need come Sunday.
There's no doubt the Broncos beat the Chiefs...with or without Brandon Marshall (of course, I thought they'd beat the Raiders by 20). What the Broncos also need is help, a lot of help.
And I think they'll get it.
Here's the scenario I see playing out:
In the early games, The Steelers will go down to Miami and beat the Dolphins. This will matter little, as the defending Super Bowl Champions will be left on the outside looking in. The Patriots starters will play for a few series, and exit with a 10-3 lead over the Texans. Once the scrubs come in, Gary Kubiak and Co. will find a way to upset New England.
This will help the Broncos immensely, because the Ravens will not lose to the Raiders in Oakland. Ray Lewis will play center, quarterback, left guard and placekicker if he has to...but one thing he won't do is allow his team to lose.
This puts the onus on the Bengals and Jets in the Sunday night game. If the preceding goes accordingly, the Jets will need to win to make the playoffs. If the Bengals pull their starters, the Jets will do so, and the Broncos will be left out of the dance.
However, I think the Bengals -all 52 of them- are really angry right now. Angry that one of their teammates isn't with them in this life any more. Angry that not a single member of their team made it to the Pro Bowl. Angry that among the top teams in the AFC, no one thinks they'll sniff the Super Bowl. Angry that many STILL consider them the third best team in their division, even though they have the best record.
Hence, the Bengals will win, the Jets will close down Giants Stadium in anticlimactic fashion, and the Broncos will be postseason-bound for the first time in four seasons.
That may be suspending reality, but that's exactly what's needed come Sunday.
Carrey's character, Lloyd Christmas, was responding to Mary Swanson's million-to-one odds that the two would ever date. That type of suspension of reality is exactly what the Broncos need come Sunday.
There's no doubt the Broncos beat the Chiefs...with or without Brandon Marshall (of course, I thought they'd beat the Raiders by 20). What the Broncos also need is help, a lot of help.
And I think they'll get it.
Here's the scenario I see playing out:
In the early games, The Steelers will go down to Miami and beat the Dolphins. This will matter little, as the defending Super Bowl Champions will be left on the outside looking in. The Patriots starters will play for a few series, and exit with a 10-3 lead over the Texans. Once the scrubs come in, Gary Kubiak and Co. will find a way to upset New England.
This will help the Broncos immensely, because the Ravens will not lose to the Raiders in Oakland. Ray Lewis will play center, quarterback, left guard and placekicker if he has to...but one thing he won't do is allow his team to lose.
This puts the onus on the Bengals and Jets in the Sunday night game. If the preceding goes accordingly, the Jets will need to win to make the playoffs. If the Bengals pull their starters, the Jets will do so, and the Broncos will be left out of the dance.
However, I think the Bengals -all 52 of them- are really angry right now. Angry that one of their teammates isn't with them in this life any more. Angry that not a single member of their team made it to the Pro Bowl. Angry that among the top teams in the AFC, no one thinks they'll sniff the Super Bowl. Angry that many STILL consider them the third best team in their division, even though they have the best record.
Hence, the Bengals will win, the Jets will close down Giants Stadium in anticlimactic fashion, and the Broncos will be postseason-bound for the first time in four seasons.
That may be suspending reality, but that's exactly what's needed come Sunday.
