Tim Tebow Admits He 'Has To Be A Better Quarterback' If Broncos Are Going To Succeed Against Steelers

When I was a kid, I seem to remember some slogan that said knowing was half the battle. If that’s true, then Tim Tebow is already halfway to where he needs to be. The Denver Broncos quarterback says he realizes that there’s more work to do ahead of him if the Broncos are going to succeed, and his performance in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs was yet another sign of just how far he has to go.

“Well, obviously when you lose it’s just not good enough, and for me it wasn’t good enough,” Tebow said at the post-game press conference. “I just have to get better and learn from my great coaches and just come out next week and try to be a better quarterback, a better leader and be a better player.”

To be fair, the Broncos rode Tebow’s instincts part of the way through their surge toward the top of the AFC West and it’s unfair to make Tebow the victim of fan vitriol. While Tebow’s performance specifically was poor, it was clear that the learning curve with Tebow under center would be steep and the Broncos chose that route weeks before. You can’t complain, in other words, if you knew it was coming. Imagine the Jets complaining because Santonio Holmes is pouting (wait…).

The reality is that Tebow has a long way to go to make it as an NFL starting quarterback. Yet if any guy in the league has the right attitude and work ethic to make the adjustments, it’s definitely Tebow. The Broncos will have to endure games like they did against the Chiefs on Sunday and hope they will come less over time and practice. The Steelers, meanwhile, will hope for a repeat performance on Sunday.

Tim Tebow And Denver Broncos Must Turn Around 'Brutal' Offense To Have Chance Against Steelers

Of all of the first round playoff games coming up next weekend, the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers seems like the most obvious choice for a blowout. The Broncos are not enjoying any level of momentum whatsoever, and they face a veteran 12 win team who just played in the Super Bowl last year. The home field advantage did the Broncos no good in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday. Thus, it's easy to see why so many are predicting Pittsburgh to walk over Denver next weekend.

"They say that getting in is all that matters, but I'm not sure they're correct in this particular case," writes Don Banks. "The Denver's offense was brutal at home in a 7-3 loss to Kansas City, and Tebow looked very much like the same quarterback who floundered around for most of 55 minutes in his very first start of the season, in Week 7 at Miami. So much happened in the span of those 10 weeks, but for Tebow and his team, this has to feel a little like the ultimate mixed blessing."

That word "brutal" is true about an offensive performance in which Tim Tebow runs for 16 yards and has a 20.6 passer rating. The Broncos can play good defense and have a stout running game behind Willis McGahee, but they need Tebow to turn things around under center or they're in for a long afternoon.

Chris Kuper Injury Update: Broncos Guard Out For Rest Of NFL Postseason

The Denver Broncos relied mostly on their running game to win the AFC West despite the amount of attention given to Tim Tebow at quarterback. That said, they’re going to miss one of their key offensive linemen for what looks like the rest of the postseason, even if they were to move on past the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

In yesterday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos lost Chris Kuper to a horrific injury that will keep him rehabbing all offseason long. The injury devastated Broncos’ players.

“Kuper is out the rest of the playoffs and will most likely need the entire offseason to rehabilitate the injury,” writes the staff from the Denver Post. “He has started on the Broncos’ offensive line since the sixth game of the 2007 season. Offensive line teammates were planning to visit Kuper on Sunday night after leaving the stadium.”

The Post also got several quotes from players weighing in on the loss. While Kuper is not as celebrated as Ryan Clady, the team’s left tackle, it’s clear that he’s just as valuable to those on the team.

“It stinks. He’s a leader, and he had never been in the playoffs before tonight, and I know what it meant to him. The whole offensive line does,” said Russ Hochstein​, who replaced Kuper at right guard.

The Broncos running game will also suffer with Kuper’s loss. Willis McGahee, who had 145 rushing yards against the Chiefs, agrees.

“Kupe is a big part of the offensive line, and those guys really played for him,” running back Willis McGahee​ said. “That was the talk — let’s do this for Kupe.”

NFL Playoffs: Tim Tebow Could Be Pushed By Brady Quinn In Broncos-Steelers Match-Up

While Tim Tebow is taking his share of shots both today and over the last couple of weeks as the Denver Broncos’ fortunes have turned ill, it also needs to be said they would not be in the playoffs if not for Tebow’s performance to some degree. The former Florida star is 7-4 as a starter and warrants a start in the playoff game against the Steelers coming up. That said, his performance agains the Chiefs reveals that something is terribly wrong and PFT’s Mike Florio says it might be time to get a back-up ready.

“If the Broncos want to have a realistic shot at advancing,” writes Florio, "it may be prudent to be ready to pull off a Rocky-style switch to southpaw, by switching from the southpaw to Brady Quinn.

“This isn’t a long-term indictment of Tebow,” he continues. “It’s a recognition of the fact that, at least for now, he has bumped up against his ceiling. The goal on Sunday is to win one game, and it could be that the only way to do that will be to know when to flip the switch from the unconventional quarterback to the guy whose abilities would defy the Steelers’ preparation.”

Quinn is likely to perform as well as Tebow and if a young guy is supposed to learn from experience and continual reps, then I’m not sure what Tebow is going to take into next season if he’s replaced in this game. In fact, he’s usually best when the game is on the line, as seen this season already. While that wasn’t the case against the Chiefs, it’s the door the Broncos have chosen to walk through already this season. They don’t back out now.

Dwayne Bowe Injury Update: Concussion Likely Cause Of Wideout's Exit From Broncos Game

Dwayne Bowe has been the Kansas City Chiefs greatest receiving threat on the team for years now, and yesterday’s game against the Denver Broncos provided further evidence to that fact. That makes the injury he sustained at the end of the first half all the more compelling since the Chiefs clearly weren’t the same offensively without him.

The Chiefs wideout had 93 receiving yards in the first half of the 7-3 win over the Broncos and had clearly found a rhythm with Kyle Orton. However the team wouldn’t score again (neither would the broncos) as Dustin Colquitt quickly became the Chiefs MVP in the second half.

“He came back on the sideline, but they wouldn’t let him go back into the game,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “He wanted to come back, but he got hit in the head, and in the NFL we are more cautious about those kinds of things.”

Now that it’s the final game of the season for the Chiefs, Bowe will not have to wonder about further damage in games played and can rest this off-season. However any head injuries are likely to carry further concern as the player goes — as seen in the case of a player like the Colts’ Austin Collie.

Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt Wins Peter King's Special Teams Player Of Week Mention

While the Kansas City Chiefs likely wanted to see more out of their offense than what was presented Sunday on the field in Denver, they’ll take the win over the Broncos. And much of that is due to the field position they placed Tim Tebow in. That’s why Peter King gives Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt his Special Teams Player of the Week award in his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column.

“The Chiefs-Broncos contest was a field-position game throughout and here’s where the Broncos took over after Colquitt punts: the Denver 10, 14, 26, 16, 19, 49 (of Kansas City), 25 and 16,” writes King. “If you’re going to force Tim Tebow to start from his 20 or worse five times, you have to like your chance to win. For the day, Colquitt — whose brother Britton was Denver’s punter Sunday — averaged 47.1 yards per punt, with a net of 41.8.”

Colquitt has never made the Pro Bowl but this season presents a good opportunity for him to do so.

Tim Tebow Has 'Regressed Terribly' As Denver Broncos Season Wears On

The performances do not deceive. Despite the winning streak in the middle with a myriad of fourth quarterback comebacks under his belt, NFL defenses have finally figured out what to do with Tim Tebow and, in response, the Denver Broncos quarterback has not adjusted with the changes. Two more turnovers haunted him in the loss against the Chiefs yesterday and the Broncos are only in because the Raiders could not get the job done against the Chargers themselves. It’s called backing into the playoffs.

“With Denver moving on, Tebow has to wonder how much support he has going into the postseason,” writes Bill Williamson. “After being the story of the NFL for several weeks, Tebow has regressed terribly in the past two games. He was dreadful Sunday. Tebow completed 6 of 22 passes for 60 yards. He is no longer making an impact as a runner. He had just 16 yards on six carries.”

“His passes are sailing high and he is taking way too much time in his decision-making. Tebow is 30-for-73 for with four interceptions during Denver’s losing skid. He has lost a fumble in the past five games and there was no fourth-quarter magic as Denver, which won four straight games this season when it trailed in the fourth quarter, couldn’t do anything in four series in the final quarter. Tebow lost a fumble at the Kansas City 11-yard line on Sunday in a play that was crucial to the Chiefs’ win. Denver simply can’t win with Tebow making these types of mistakes.”

Even more, team officials like John Elway were reticent to back Tebow to begin with and this is why. Defenses will eventually figure out gimmick plays in the NFL and a player cannot afford to be one-sided. Tebow certainly has considerable talents and could eventually become a solid NFL starter, but he’s hit a wall that he must overcome and Denver leadership cannot be expected to watch Tebow falter time and again early in games and let the lead slip away just to wait for some fourth quarter magic.

Justin Houston Completes Breakout Rookie Campaign For Kansas City Chiefs

Scott Pioli was hoping Justin Houston would break through. He got his wish as the season wore on. The Kansas City Chiefs GM knew that Tamba Hali would get held and the Chiefs lacked another pass rusher on the opposite side that made offensive linemen take notice. Andy Studebaker held up fine for a year, but he was never going to complement Hali enough to free him up. So Pioli did what many front offices are now wishing they would have done and took the Georgia linebacker/defensive end who had some character concerns.

In the end, the Chiefs are the ones laughing as Houston came alive in the season's second half to become one of the most impressive aspects of a defense that was celebrated all season. Even among a unit that includes playmakers like Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Hali and Derrick Johnson, Houston truly stood out in the second half with 5.5 sacks in the team's last five games and showed signs of pressuring the quarterback at many other moments.

Chris Burke loved his play in Sunday's win over the Broncos, "Kansas City’s defensive front has been excellent lately, especially in an upset of the Packers. Sunday, it was linebacker Justin Houston who wreaked the most havoc. He picked up 1.5 sacks of Tebow and recovered a fumble."

The Chiefs have to feel good about their bookend rushers moving forward and Romeo Crennel finally figured out how to get the best out of his linebacking duo. If the Chiefs are able to move forward with some continuity and a full off-season, Houston could truly break through to a whole other level next season.

Chris Kuper Injury Update: Broncos Guard Out Against Steelers With Possible Broken Leg

Yahoo! Sports Doug Farrar is reporting from Denver Broncos head coach John Fox that the Broncos' star guard Chris Kuper might have a broken leg from Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos lost the game but still made the playoffs due to the Oakland Raiders loss at home to the visiting San Diego Chargers, yet the Broncos also lost a key player for the stretch run if this is the case. Kuper will definitely be missed along a line that will only see more pressure than they did today in the playoffs.

Kuper and Ryan Clady are the best linemen protecting Tim Tebow and forming running lanes for the resurgent Willis McGahee so this is a big loss for the Broncos. More details will come later this week as test results come back, but for now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have to be licking their chops at the thought of coming through a Broncos line that will be thin in the middle.

Romeo Crennel Might Become New Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Based On Broncos, Packers Wins

The win yesterday for the Kansas City Chiefs on the road against the Denver Broncos not only made the players and coaches feel good about closing a turbulent 2011 season on a high note, it might have also cemented Romeo Crennel as the head coach for the long-term, removing the interim tag in the process. For those who've been watching the Chiefs over these final three games of the season, the team's performance under Crennel has been strong and it shouldn't be surprising to see him earn the position.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if interim Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel is promoted to the permanent coach soon," writes Bill Williamson. "The Chiefs went 2-1 under Crennel after he took over for Todd Haley, including a win over Green Bay. It was the Packers’ only loss of the season. Players love Crennel and he fits what the Chiefs want to do."

It's that last part that might make more of a difference. Players love the coach and it's clear they respond well to him. Given an entire off-season to structure the staff and the playbook on his own, Crennel should tailor the team even more to his liking and vice versa. With high profile wins like the Packers and Broncos wins, Crennel has earned a second chance. It's not the sexy move or a fresh name that fans often want to see, but it does bring some continuity and teams like the Texans are now enjoying the fruits of letting a coaching staff stick with the program over the long haul.

As for the other coaching positions, certainly some changes will be made on offense where the Chiefs have been among the league's worst. However, having Crennel at the point position will keep players happy and the Chiefs moving forward. It's not set in stone and there are other names potentially attached to the Chiefs, but Crennel must be considered a frontrunner.

NFL Playoffs: Will The Tim Tebow Hype Die Down With Another Denver Broncos Loss?

Tim Tebow held everyone’s attention. As the Denver Broncos ascended the AFC West ladder from worst to first and ultimately to the NFL postseason, Tebow was crowned by everyone as the starting quarterback of the future and Tebowmania ensued. Even his own front office went from skeptical to affirming over the stretch of wins in midseason, but now the Broncos are sliding at the worst possible team: right into the playoff match against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Don Banks of Sports Illustrated wants to know if the magic will last.

“One more dreadful outing from Tebow next week and you wonder how much it’ll temper Denver’s enthusiasm about him from both the fans and the front office?” writes Don Banks. "Will John Elway start to backtrack a bit on the confidence he only recently started expressing in regards to Tebow’s future as the team’s clear-cut starter? Will head coach John Fox rethink his commitment to a Tebow-based read-option offense? Will the fans who adore No. 15 in Denver begin to see their faith start to crack ever so slightly if another egg-laying is in the offing next week?

“As usual, none of the questions seem to have easy answers where Tebow is concerned. His situation has been unique from the start, and here we are at the regular season’s end, and we might be even more confused than ever. If that’s possible. The playoffs were the goal, and that goal has been attained in Denver. Tebow and the Broncos are still alive. It’s just the magic that has disappeared.”

While Tebow has proved himself an anomaly in the NFL in terms of fan base and coverage from the media, everything comes down to wins and losses and Tebow is no different. Expect some jeers to come this offseason if the quarterback tanks in yet another game.

Rashard Mendenhall Might Not Be Available For Broncos Playoff Game For Steelers

Adam Schefter is delivering a piece of good news for the Denver Broncos, who are still reeling from their home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs today even though they still made the playoffs (thanks to a loss by the Oakland Raiders to the San Diego Chargers). Schefter is reporting that Rashard Mendenhall is likely not going to be able to play next week when the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Mile High to play the 8-8 Broncos in the first round of the AFC Playoffs.

Mendenhall is key for the Steelers running game — a staple of Pittsburgh’s winning ways for the last few decades. The Steelers will still bring a playoff caliber defense and the experience that Super Bowl runs will bring, but Ben Roethlisberger is going to have a harder time from keeping the Broncos secondary on their heels given that he’s also dealt with injuries that should keep him from running as well.

Expect the Steelers to hope the passing game is enough to get it done against the Denver defense, and the good news there is that the Broncos secondary has been beat up in recent weeks. Given the Broncos’ performance today, however, the Steelers likely have nothing to worry about.

AFC Playoffs: Denver Broncos Face Pittsburgh Steelers In Wild Card Match-Up

Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos lost today to the Kansas City Chiefs in an uninspiring 7-3 performance. Somehow, the Broncos still won the division title and a playoff spot in the process. So goes the AFC West in 2011.

The Broncos have earned a first round slot against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who must travel to Denver since they did not earn a division title in a much harder division. The Bengals took the final spot and will face the Houston Texans in the other AFC first round match-up as the Ravens and Patriots have both earned first round byes.

Here’s the complete first round of the NFL Playoffs which will start next week:

AFC
No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6)
No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8)

NFC Wild Card Games
No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3)
No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at Cowboys-Giants winner

Jonathan Baldwin Promises AFC West Title For Chiefs In 2012

Despite the poor overall team performance from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011, there are definitely reasons for optimism. After all, the Chiefs were one blocked kick away from being in the playoffs right now despite losing several key players to injury — from an All Pro running back to a promising tight end to their starting quarterback to a dynamic safety. In addition, the Chiefs also endured drama in the front office, a locker room fight and the eventual firing of head coach Todd Haley. Talk about a tough season.

Jonathan Baldwin must sense the possibilities ahead when he writes on Twitter, “A guys I promise you next season I will be better than ever. No setbacks I love y’all. We will win the AFC west for sure!”

It’s certainly not a stretch at all to picture the Chiefs winning next season. The Raiders shoot themselves in the foot and have no draft picks to speak of until 2037. The Broncos are riding a Tebow train that clearly did not get better under center with experience. The Chargers are their own worst enemy and have more holes on their offensive line than anyone in the NFL after this season.

It’s nice to hear such optimism since it’s not blind but founded optimism. Chiefs fans hope Baldwin is right in 2012 and that he’s a primary reason behind it.

Kyle Orton Beats Tim Tebow In Boring Broncos-Chiefs Display That Fails To Match Pre-Game Hype

Former starter versus current starter. Castoff versus up-and-coming talent. Division rivals taking on each other for the sake of the AFC West title and a playoff spot. The hype before the Denver Broncos hosted the Kansas City Chiefs this week was astounding as if two incredible quarterbacks were playing each other a la the first game of the season in Aaron Rodgers vs. Drew Brees. If only it was that entertaining.

Instead, those who came out to Mile High Stadium today were treated to a 7-3 win that never came close to matching the pre-game hype. Kyle Orton had his team on the move early that ended with an impressive 21-yard scamper by Dexter McCluster to account for the game's only touchdown, but that was the closest thing to an entertaining drive -- and that was for Chiefs fans. Denver only mustered three points on a Matt Prater field goal from 38 yards out.

Here are the final lines for the two hyped starters:
Tim Tebow - 6 of 22, 60 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 fumble lost, 20.6 passer rating
Kyle Orton - 15 of 29, 180 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 71 passer rating

For Tebow, it was another horrendous effort marked by two more turnovers that his team could ill afford. For Orton, it was a pedestrian effort that represented a slight downward spiral from his previous game, which featured the same from his first start. In short, Orton was making less of a visible impact each game. To Orton's credit, he lost star receiver Dwayne Bowe, but every team has injuries and Denver had already lost guard Chris Kuper and Spencer Larsen.

The reality is that this game was all fluff. Chiefs fans did get a win to close out the season and the Chiefs defense did a great job, but this match-up was made about the quarterbacks and on that end it failed to deliver. As for Denver, they cannot possibly feel good about their end-of-season performance. John Fox's team is on a dangerous slope that should end rather quickly -- just the way the Chiefs season ended against the Baltimore Ravens.

If anything, the AFC West face-offs today show that there's not a single team in the division that can match wits with the upper tier of teams in the AFC. This offseason should yield some soul-searching for all four teams.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs Final Score: Kyle Orton, Kansas City Hold On For 7-3 Win Over Denver

Tim Tebow had the ball with the chance to give the Denver Broncos the lead with under a minute left in the game but Kansas City's Brandon Carr intercepted a Tebow desperation pass to secure the 7-3 victory.

Neither team could muster a lot of offense with most of the Chiefs' 281 yards coming in the first quarter. Dexter McCluster put the Chiefs on top early with a 21 yard run that capped off a 90 yard drive and gave Kansas City a 7-0 lead.

Denver's only points were set up by a Chiefs miscue when Javier Arenas muffed a Broncos punt to set Tim Tebow and company up with a short field. However, the Chiefs defense held strong and the Broncos settled for a Matt Prater field goal.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton finished 15 of 29 for 180 yards in the game. McCluster rushed for 61 yards while Dwayne Bowe hauled in six catches for 93 yards before suffering an injury right before the half.

Tim Tebow struggled throughout the game finishing just 6 of 22 for 60 yards and the game-clinching interception. Tebow also lost a fumble to stop a Broncos drive. Willis McGahee was the bright spot for the Denver offense piling up 145 yards in a losing effort.

Even with the loss, Denver is still in the running for a spot in the AFC West playoffs but need the San Diego Chargers to defeat the Oakland Raiders to secure the birth.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dwayne Bowe Injury Update: Chiefs Wideout Gone For Rest Of Broncos Game

One thing is clear: Dwayne Bowe is incredibly valuable to the Kansas City Chiefs offense. With him, he had 93 yards receiving and a definite chemistry with Kyle Orton. Without him, the Chiefs cannot move the ball and are forced to punt again and again. However, it seems like they're going to have to find a way to move on since Bowe is likely out for the rest of this game with a neck injury.

Josh Looney writes, "Kendall Gammon reports from #chiefs sideline that Bowe doesn't have his helmet. Looks like he'll be done for day."

Bowe had 75 catches for 1,066 yards with five touchdowns entering today's game which is quite a feat considering the struggles that Kansas City has had with its quarterback situation ever since the injury to starter Matt Cassel. Bowe has three 100+ yard receiving games this season and was well on his way to his fourth.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs Score: Denver Pulls To Within 7-3 Heading To The Fourth

More of the same from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos as they enter the fourth quarter with the Chiefs clinging to a 7-3 lead. Both defenses have controlled the game and Denver's only points came on a field goal that was set up by a Javier Arenas muffed punt.

The Chiefs had some offensive success early with Dexter McCluster finding some running room and Dwayne Bowe stretching the field. Bowe has since left the game with a neck injury and the Broncos' defense has adjusted.

With neither team able to sustain a drive the game has broken down into a battle of field position that is spotlighted by each team's punter. Willis McGahee topped the 100 yard rushing mark in the third quarter with 116. Tim Tebow has been held in check thus far throwing for 43 yards and running for just 16.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dwayne Bowe Injury: Kansas City Wideout Out With A Neck Injury

After a big first half, Kansas City will likely be without the services of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for the remainder of the game after suffering some sort of a neck injury. Bowe and quarterback Kyle Orton worked well together in the first half hooking up six times for 93 yards. The Chiefs carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.

#Chiefs say Bowe has a sore neck, may not return

— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) January 1, 2012

Bowe had 75 catches for 1,066 yards with five touchdowns entering today's game which is quite a feat considering the struggles that Kansas City has had with its quarterback situation ever since the injury to starter Matt Cassel. Bowe has three 100+ yard receiving games this season and was well on his way to his fourth.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

AFC Playoff Picture 2011: Broncos In With Win Or Raiders Loss

If the Denver Broncos can overcome Tim Tebow’s poor performance so far in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs today at Mile High Stadium, they will find themselves heading for the NFL Playoffs. That’s the easiest way for the Broncos to claim the AFC West title and gain that coveted postseason spot in John Fox’s first year as the team’s head coach. That said, that’s not the only way.

If the Oakland Raiders cannot keep the San Diego Chargers from playing the role of spoiler at home in Oakland today, the Broncos will automatically head to the playoffs as well, giving them the advantage to win the AFC West. San Diego is currently up 24-13 near the end of the first half and the Raiders have no answer for Philip Rivers whatsoever.

The Chiefs and the Chargers are out of any playoff picture, and yet both teams are currently playing to win this Sunday afternoon.

Is Dwayne Bowe Injured For Chiefs Against Broncos?

Dwayne Bowe provided several highlights at wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs in today’s first half against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium. It’s the same thing he’s provided all season long, and Kyle Orton will need his primary wideout for the second half if the team is going to win today and end their season on a positive note. That said, will Bowe even be available?

That’s a question confronting Chiefs fans at this point who do not know what Bowe’s status will be coming out for the game’s second half since it was clear Bowe got hit hard after catching a 20-yard pass just before halftime. Josh Looney wrote that Bowe looked “shook up” and others on Twitter were wondering about a shoulder injury.

Mike Freeman of CBS wrote, “Bowe is very wobbly after hit. Started walking towards wrong sideline. Almost fell over.”

Bowe had 6 catches for 93 yards in the first half alone.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs Score: Kansas City Takes 7-0 Lead Into Halftime

Denver's offense awoke in the second quarter after being kept under control by Kansas City in the first quarter. However, they still don't have any points to show for it and the Chiefs head into halftime with a 7-0 lead.

At the half, Dexter McCluster's 21 yard touchdown run in the first quarter still accounts for all of the scoring. After totaling 12 yards in the first quarter, Denver was able to move up and down the field some in the second quarter. The Chiefs still hold a total yardage lead of 216-142 and have 11 first-downs to just seven for the Broncos.

Kyle Orton completed 10 of 18 passes in the first half for 128 yards and most going Dwayne Bowe's way. Bowe finished with six catches in the first half for 93 yards. McCluster has 59 yards rushing on eight carries to lead the Chiefs' ground game.

Willis McGahee got things going in the second for the Broncos finishing the half with 87 yards on 13 carries. Tim Tebow threw for 29 yards and rushed for 19 and stopped the Broncos best drive of the game when Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis forced a fumble that was recovered by rookie Justin Houston.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chris Kuper Injury Update And Video: Broncos Guard Could Miss Post-Season

Chris Kuper, one of the Denver Broncos’ starting guards, went down with an injury earlier in the Chiefs game and it’s clear he won’t be returning for not only this game, but perhaps the rest of the postseason. As ESPN’s Bill Williamson speculates, the Broncos might have to rethink their offensive line if they are able to move forward into the post-season.

"While it is early in the process, Kuper‘s availability for the postseason is likely in question if Denver wins the division," writes Bill Williamson. "Russ Hochstein replaced him. Kuper is one of Denver’s best offensive linemen. The entire Denver offense surrounding the cart before Kuper was taken off the field. In another nice gesture, former Denver and current Kansas City quarterback Kyle Orton spent some time with Kuper while he was being attended to."

Max Mandel says that not only does Kuper’s injury hurt, but the Broncos also lost Spencer Larsen at fullback. "The loss of Kuper could be a significant blow for the offensive line. Kuper serves as an offensive captain for the Broncos, and the offensive guard has been excellent this season. Larsen has made 15 appearances this season and has rushed for 44 yards on 14 carries in the fullback role."

VIDEO: Dexter McCluster Runs For 21-Yard Touchdown Against Broncos

Dexter McCluster has always been the weapon-in-waiting for the Kansas City Chiefs. His incredible athleticism and agility has set up what-if scenarios ever since the team made him their second round pick back in 2009, and yet fumble issues as well as health concerns have limited his reps. Now that he's settled into the running back position for the Chiefs and with the loss of both Jamaal Charles and Jackie Battle, he's now finding more opportunities.

Enter today's game against the Broncos where he's already impacted the game with 60 rushing yards and a 21 yard break for a touchdown for the game's only score. The video below provides evidence that McCluster might be finding his groove just yet.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs Score: Dexter McCluster Puts Kansas City On Top 7-0

After dominating the time of possession in the first quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs finally broke through with a Dexter McCluster touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead over the Denver Broncos.

The Chiefs held the ball for just under 12 minutes in the first quarter and until McCluster's run had only a missed Ryan Succop field goal to show for it. Kansas City out gained the Broncos 162 to 14 in the first quarter. Kyle Orton threw for 84 yards in the first quarter and McCluster finished with 60 yards rushing on just five carries including his 21 yard run that put the Chiefs on top. Dwayne Bowe hauled in five catches for 74 yards in the quarter.

Tim Tebow and company will have the ball to open the second quarter and are looking for their first first-down of the game. Tebow missed on both of his passing attempts in the first quarter and the Broncos will be looking to get him involved more in the offense in the second half.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs: Tyler Palko, Jon McGraw Among Chiefs Inactives

Safety Jon McGraw and quarterback Tyler Palko are among inactives for the Kansas City Chiefs that will miss out on the final game of the 2011 regular season. Palko likely wouldn't have played anyway with Kyle Orton making the start under center.

#Chiefs inactives: 4 Palko, 47 McGraw, 70 Mims, 83 Urban, 85 O'Connell, 90 Bair, 95 Powe

— Josh Looney (@JoshLooney) January 1, 2012

Safety Brian Dawkins is also inactive due to a neck injury and will be quite a blow to the Denver secondary. Fellow safety David Bruton is active and will likely see extra action in Dawkins' absence. Bruton was listed on the Denver injury report this week with a sore Achilles.

#Broncos inactives: 20 Dawkins, 40 Sylvester, 53 Mohammad, 65 Ramirez, 76 Hills, 80 J. Thomas, 95 Harvey

— Josh Looney (@JoshLooney) January 1, 2012

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. For more on the NFL, head to SB Nation's NFL hub.

John Fox Says Broncos Decision To Replace Kyle Orton With Tim Tebow Was Right Move

In perhaps the most direct statement about the switch for the Denver Broncos from Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow at starting quarterback, Broncos head coach John Fox came out this week addressing the match-up between the two by saying his team made the right move.

“We made the decision to go with Tim Tebow,” Fox said about today’s Chiefs-Broncos game. “I think that decision has proved worthy. We took that risk whenever you release any player. We don’t have any control over who takes him or where he goes or any of those things, but it’s good for Kyle. I wish him nothing but the best except for this Sunday … I think at the end of the day we feel real comfortable with Tim. We made that decision and here we are.”

Tebow has certainly warranted such commentary from his head coach given that the team has unexpected vaulted to the top of the AFC West standings. Orton, however, will hope to change that today when leading the Chiefs into Denver.

Kyle Orton Is 'Better NFL Quarterback' Than Tim Tebow

Today’s contest between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs has many people paying attention, particularly for the quarterbacks involved. Kyle Orton faces his old team in the Broncos while Tim Tebow, his replacement, hopes to help the Broncos win the AFC West title and earn a playoff spot. Between the two of them, Matt Williamson of Scouts, Inc. says he knows which one he would want in the game today.

“I would rather have Orton for one game,” Williamson said. "I do get that Tebow plays his best in big games, and Orton has rarely showed that ability. But Orton is the better NFL quarterback right now and his experience puts it over the top for me.”

The Chiefs are certainly hoping that’s the case since Romeo Crennel would 2-1 as a head coach for the Chiefs as interim if they win today, including a win against the Packers and another on the road against a division rival in the Broncos. That would go a long way toward convincing the powers-that-be that Crennel is the right guy for the job to replace Todd Haley for the long term.

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Romeo Crennel, Kyle Orton Hope To Reverse Kansas City's Losing Streak In Denver

If making the NFL playoffs is the only goal for any team in the league to play for, then the Kansas City Chiefs technically have nothing to play for. But when you dive into the layers of pressures and goals facing the Chiefs on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, many reasons to play appear -- whether it's player pride, keeping interim head coach Romeo Crennel on board for next season or momentum heading into next year. For some, the rivalry with the Denver Broncos presents enough given their current streak in Denver.

Bill Williamson writes, "There are some interesting trends going into this pivotal weekend. The Chiefs -- who will be trying to help interim coach Romeo Crennel become the full-time coach -- are 1-9 in their last 10 trips to Denver." Even last year when the Broncos only had four wins all season, the Chiefs visiting Denver were good for one. That's how bad the Chiefs have been in the altitude of Mile High.

Kyle Orton at the helm might change things since he's used to the climate after several season with the Broncos. That's part of the hopes the Chiefs carry into Denver this weekend as there's still plenty to play for after all.

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Tim Tebow And Kyle Orton Have Various Motivations For Today's Game

Kyle Orton likely took it quite personally when he was released by the Denver Broncos. After all, a rejection is a rejection, no matter if you realize the NFL is a business or not. Thus, the fact that the Broncos no longer wanted him under center or even on the roster was a slap in the face. That said, for Tim Tebow, it was a vote of confidence. Thus today is a chance not only for redemption for one quarterback, but it’s a chance for validation for the other as the Chiefs face the Broncos today at Mile High. That’s what Jeff Darlington writes about today for NFL.com.

Darlington writes, "What does all of it mean for this week? It means Tebow has the opportunity to help allow Fox and Elway to validate their decision to first bench Orton and later release him.

“When the Broncos cut Orton, they were very aware that he could wind up with the Chiefs, sources said. But they also had three mindsets while doing so: (1) It allowed them to allocate the saved money toward signing bonuses for other players in 2012; (2) It allowed Tebow to have better control of the locker room; and (3) the Broncos were confident, even if they had to eventually face Orton, that they could beat him.”

Chiefs Will Be Haunted By Loss To Raiders If They Defeat Broncos

The Chiefs may have a better chance of defeating Denver today than they would have had they not lost to Oakland at home last Sunday.

Chiefs' Romeo Crennel Praises Brandon Carr For Growth In 2011 Season

Brandon Carr is the unheralded one, the cornerback in Kansas City who seems to go unnoticed while other members of the secondary receive the primary praise. Yet anyone watching the Chiefs closely knows that Carr is as valuable as anyone else -- including Brandon Flowers or Eric Berry. Carr, now on the verge of free agency, is now in a prime seat to get paid, and to receive some well-deserved accolades of his own.

Interim head coach Romeo Crennel said he's been impressed with Carr this season and how he's grown through a trying season on the defense.

"I think the biggest improvement has been that teams have seemed to test him a little bit this year," Crennel said in his most recent interview, "and he’s been able to stand up to the test and make plays. I think that’s the biggest improvement. I think he’s gained confidence in his game and his ability and what he feels like he can do week-in and week-out, and that’s a positive."

Paired with Flowers, the two make a dynamic duo and Chiefs fans hope to see Carr locked up to a long-term extension soon enough. Together, Crennel says they're a strong veteran duo who have gotten past the errors of their rookie and early seasons and can now stand with anyone in the NFL.

"I think they’ve seen enough now that they can probably say that they’re veteran guys. They understand what it takes to play the position that they play."

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Time, TV Schedule, Radio Streaming And More

The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to end the Denver Broncos' playoff push in Week 17.

Chiefs Place Running Back Jackie Battle On IR, Sign Shaun Draughn From Practice Squad

The Kansas City Chiefs have been fairly injury free for the 2011 season, but on Saturday night the Chiefs placed backup running back Jackie Battle on the injured reserve due to an foot injury in last Sunday's overtime loss to Oakland. Battle did not practice at all this week and was wearing a walking boot.

Battle gained a larger roll when starter Jamaal Charles tore his ACL back in Week 2 and Battle ended up leading the team in rushing with 597 yards and scored two touchdowns this season.

With Battle's season now over, the Chiefs signed running back Shaun Draughn from the practice squad for Week 17 against the Denver Broncos. Draughn has been on the Chiefs practice squad since Week 5. Draughn will be the third running back behind Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride; for more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs: Kyle Orton Has Plenty Of Motivation In Start Against Denver

Tim Tebow has enough drama surrounding him 24/7 with so much media attention around him that Sunday's going to feel like a pot boiling over. That's because the quarterback he faces on Sunday will be Kyle Orton, the starter he used to play behind before Denver dropped him several weeks into the season. Now the starter for the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, Orton has a significant motivator when facing his former team, something Jeff Darlington writes about this week.

Darlington writes, "So now Orton returns, with the proverbial chip on his shoulder, in one of the juiciest regular-season storylines since Brett Favre first revisited the Packers as the Vikings' quarterback. This is an opportunity for Orton to put a massive, final dent in the Broncos' playoff aspirations. No doubt, he wants it.

"He probably wants it for many reasons, too. Not simply because of the perceived lack of respect Tebow (then a backup) showed for the team's starter when a fan base was pummeling Orton with criticism. Orton also becomes a free agent after this season, and coupled with a win against the Packers, this could at least begin to repair the damage that his early-season woes produced."

If Orton sticks in Kansas City, he has a solid chance to win the starting quarterback job even if Matt Cassel comes back successfully from surgery and/or sticks on the roster. A win on Sunday would go a long way toward bolstering that resume.

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Expect Kyle Orton To Pile On The Passing Yards

Chris Burke's Bet On It column for Sports Illustrated usually sizes up each game and points out a couple of key facts that you can "bet on" for that coming Sunday. For the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos game at Mile High, Burke believes that Orton will be the better quarterback -- at least statistically.

Burke writes, "The prospect of Orton knocking Denver out of the playoffs has to be the Broncos’ worst nightmare. Kansas City’s new QB may not have enough to pull out a win, but he’ll get plenty of opportunities to throw against the Broncos’ secondary."

Burke presents a decent bet considering how beat up the Denver secondary has been this season. Rookies are getting major playing time with injuries to Brian Dawkins, Quinton Carter and David Bruton. Expect Orton to utilize his receivers like Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston to go deep. It might even be a coming out party for Jonathan Baldwin given his ability to get over the secondary.

Whether or not he will get the win is another question, but expect Orton to flirt with his third straight 300-yard passing game for the Chiefs.

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Week 17 Betting Lines For Tim Tebow Against Kyle Orton

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into Mile High Stadium tomorrow afternoon to try to knock the Denver Broncos out of playoff contention and build some sort of momentum at season's end for Romeo Crennel as interim coach. The Broncos, on the other hand, hope to ride the magic carpet under Tim Tebow, Von Miller and a new running game all the way to an unexpected division title after sitting in the AFC West basement just a season ago.

For Kyle Orton, the Chiefs starting quarterback, it's a bitter homecoming of sorts back to a team and stadium that dropped him just a few weeks ago. The Chiefs picked him up and the scenario playing out this week was one that was immediately concerning to the Broncos brass. Now they must face the quarterback they dropped in the hopes that he doesn't know them well enough to beat them.

The odds favor the Broncos as the line on this game has the Broncos as a 3.5 favorite over the Chiefs, according to Odds Shark. That line makes sense as the Chiefs are the road team and have been eliminated from playoff contention. The over/under on this game is the second lowest of all the games this week and is at 36.5 points.

Both teams are healthy heading into this game so there will be no excuses for the Broncos if the Chiefs are able to pull off the upset on the road and knock them out of the playoffs.

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride; for more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Week 17 NFL Lines And Odds: Chiefs Vs. Broncos

The Chiefs can play the spoiler roll against the Broncos in Week 17.

Broncos Injury Report, Week 17: Brian Dawkins Doubtful For Chiefs

The Denver Broncos can continue their unlikely run toward the 2011 NFL playoffs by beating the Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC West. They will likely have to do that, and face former starter Kyle Orton, without defensive leader Brian Dawkins.

A nagging neck injury has left Dawkins listed as doubtful for Denver's final game of the 2011 NFL regular season, and his absence in recent weeks has coincided with the deterioration of a defense that helped prop up Tim Tebow's sometimes-struggling offense during the Broncos' winning streak.

Sackmaster Von Miller, though, should play: he's probable with a thumb injury.

Here's the Broncos injury report for Week 17:

OUT: none.

DOUBTFUL: S Brian Dawkins (neck).

QUESTIONABLE: none.

PROBABLE: S Quinton Carter (hip), LB Von Miller (thumb), S David Bruton (Achilles), CB Chris Harris (neck).

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride; for more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Chiefs Injury Report, Week 17: Kansas City's Bill Of Health Remains Clean

Few teams in the NFL have injury reports as near-spotless as the Kansas City Chiefs have had in the latter half of the 2011 NFL season. The run-up to the Chiefs' Week 17 game against the Denver Broncos, in which Kansas City can play spoiler and prevent Tim Tebow from heading to the playoffs, is no different.

Only three Chiefs show up on the Week 17 injury report, and one of them, Jon McGraw, has practically lived on it for much of the season. The other two, Jackie Battle and Jeremy Horne, have very different issues: Battle is out with a foot injury, while Horne has merely missed practice with illness, and is probable to play on Sunday.

The caveat about the Chiefs' injuries, as ever: putting players like Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, and Matt Cassel on injured reserve instead of letting them languish on the injury report is a good way to clean things up.

Here's the Chiefs injury report for Week 17:

OUT: RB Jackie Battle (foot).

DOUBTFUL: S Jon McGraw (groin).

QUESTIONABLE: none.

PROBABLE: WR Jeremy Horne (illness).

For more on the Chiefs, head to Arrowhead Pride; for more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs: Tim Tebow Faces 'First Playoff Game' In NFL's Week 17 Against Kansas City

If you ask Peter King, the Denver Broncos are already in the playoffs — or at least a playoff like atmosphere. They’re playing in the final week of the season against a hated division rival led by the quarterback they dumped mid-season. Sounds pretty dramatic to me. On the line is a division title in year one of John Fox’s head coaching tenure, and Tim Tebow, the most polarizing athlete in the NFL, is calling the shots. Welcome to Broncos-Chiefs.

King writes, “Denver’s playing Sunday for a playoff spot, and the chance to host Pittsburgh or Baltimore (I’m guessing) on the Saturday night NBC Wild Card game. The Chiefs, are playing to make sure GM Scott Pioli hires Romeo Crennel as the full-time coach. Lots of motivation on both sides.”

The motivation is definitely going to turn the game into an emotional one with players on both sides wanting to end the season well (or keep the season going). For the Chiefs, the players are passionate about playing for Romeo Crennel, and a statement on the road at Denver who lead the division would be another major statement after already beating the Green Bay Packers.

Casey Wiegmann Talks About Retirement After 175 Consecutive Starts

After 18 seasons in the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann is contemplating retirement. The Chiefs game Sunday will be his 175th consecutive start, a streak that goes all the way back to 2001:

"That’s a lot of snaps, and consecutive snaps. That’s pretty good," Kansas City interim coach Romeo Crennel told the Associated Press. "You get banged every down, and to be able to take that many snaps and still be out there playing, that’s an accomplishment. I don’t know who else can say that, but that’s an accomplishment."

Wiegmann, a 6'2 285 offensive lineman, has been a stalwart on the Kansas City offensive line for most of the last decade.

He came to the Chiefs in 2001 after playing for three teams in seven seasons since being undrafted out of Iowa in 1996.

Beside leaving for a two-year stint in Denver in 2008 and 2009, where he made his only Pro Bowl, Wiegmann has been a constant for a Kansas City franchise that has undergone a lot of turmoil in the last decade.

And while he has not yet made his mind up about retirement, he told the AP that he is planning on starting a farming company back in his native Iowa when his career is over.

NFL.com's Mike Lombardi Reports Chiefs Want To Bring Orton Back

After a solid showing in two late season starts, the Kansas City Chiefs are apparently interested in bringing back QB Kyle Orton next season:

Speaking of Orton, the Chiefs will make an effort to sign him this offseason and bring him back for another year to compete with starter Matt Cassel. And staying in K.C. might be the best option for Orton if he wants to be a starter.

Orton, a journeyman QB now on his third team, has been a starter for the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos in his NFL career, but neither team believed in him enough to keep him around as a long-term answer at the QB position.

In seven games with Kansas City and Denver this season, Orton has completed 60.5% of his passes for 1,578 yards, 9 TD's and 9 INT's.

His numbers compare favorably to Cassel's, who regressed significantly this season before being knocked out for the year with an injury to his throwing hand.

Even if Cassel comes into next season as the starting QB, Orton would conceivably push him in training camp as well as giving the Chiefs a better solution at the back-up QB position, as the inept play of Tyler Palko sunk any chance of Kansas City contending in a weak AFC West.

Chiefs Vs. Broncos: Tim Tebow And Kyle Orton Make Las Vegas Uncertain About Outcome

The AFC West is a mess for everyone. Not only are the teams involved less than impressive with two 8-7 teams, one 7-8 and the last place Kansas City Chiefs at 6-9, but even sports bettors are wondering just what to expect on Sunday from a division that hasn't followed any discernible pattern all season long. The Chiefs themselves went hot and cold all season, even beating the best team in football at one point only to fall back to last place. The Broncos were out of it until Tim Tebow resurrected playoff hopes only to be trounced by the Bills. But beyond the standings, ESPN's Dave Tuley says Vegas doesn't know how to respond either.

Tuley writes, "The AFC West is still up in the air with the Denver Broncos controlling their own destiny and the Oakland Raiders hoping to make up their one-game deficit (or sneak in as a wild card if the Bengals and Jets stumble). The Chargers were minus-3 against the Raiders on the advance line last week, but with their elimination and the Raiders' added motivation, that line has swung to the Raiders minus-3. The Broncos were minus-4 versus the Chiefs in advance wagering, but that has come down to minus-3.5 and even minus-3 at some books. The Broncos need the game, but there are a lot of people buying (literally) into the theory that Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton would love to knock his former team out of the playoffs."

Denver Broncos Injury Report, Week 17: Brian Dawkins Status Questionable For Sunday

Denver safety Brian Dawkins missed practice again on Thursday because of a neck injury. The injury to Dawkins has the Broncos' secondary unsettled headed into Sunday's game. Coach John Fox said that if Dawkins couldn't go then either David Bruton or Rahim Moore would start at Safety. Bruton practiced on Thursday but was limited with a sore Achilles.

Denver's Champ Bailey said that losing Dawkins would be a huge loss for the Broncos if he is unable to play.

"We definitely miss him and I'm not going to shy away from saying that," Bailey said of Dawkins. "I know this is a next-man-up business, but you can't replace a guy like that. His intensity and leadership, there's not a guy on the roster that can replace that.

Here is a look at the Denver Broncos' full injury report from Thursday:

Did Not Participate
Brian Dawkins (neck)

Limited Participant
David Bruton (achilles)
Chris Harris (neck)

Fully Participated
Quinton Carter (hip)
Von Miller (thumb)

For all news and information regarding the Kansas City Chiefs, please visit SB Nation'sArrowhead Pride. For more on the Denver Broncos, check out SB Nation's Mile High Report. Also check out the SB Nation NFL hub page.

Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report, Week 17: Jackie Battle Sits Out Practice Again On Thursday

The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to be without running back Jackie Battle for Sunday's game with the Denver Broncos. Battle was in a boot on Thursday and interim Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said that Battle was doubtful to play on Wednesday.

Safety Jon McGraw sat out practice on Thursday after being a limited participant on Wednesday. His status for Sunday's game is still unknown. Wide receiver Jeremy Horne appears on Thursday's injury report after he missed practice with an undisclosed illness. Horne wasn't on the Chiefs' injury report for Wednesday.

Here is a look at the full injury report for the Kansas City Chiefs from Thursday:

Did Not Participate
Jackie Battle (foot)
Jeremy Horne (ill)
Jon McGraw (ankle)

For all news and information regarding the Kansas City Chiefs, please visit SB Nation's Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Denver Broncos, check out SB Nation's Mile High Report. Also check out the SB Nation NFL hub page.

Tim Tebow Says Broncos Are Motivated And Ready For Chiefs Game This Sunday

The Denver Broncos are focused and ready for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs — one that’s not only the last game at home against a division rival, but one that also means an unexpected AFC West title. Given the recent struggles of the Broncos to capitalize on chances for success, that’s good news that the Broncos have forgotten those days.

It was just two years ago that the Broncos started out 6-0 and seemed to be the class of the NFL under first-year coach Josh McDaniels. Instead, the team tanked in the end and missed the playoffs. Tim Tebow says that the team is motivated and ready for the goal ahead this time around.

“We’re a very motivated team,” said Tebow. "We had a good practice today. We’re going to be extremely focused. This is what you play for. It’s just like another playoff game for us. We are excited about it and we’re motivated. I believe we’ll go out there and leave everything on the field.”

The Broncos can also get in via a Raiders loss, but Tebow and company are likely to want to take matters into their own hands. As for the Chiefs, they’re playing for Romeo Crennel’s chances to remain head coach on a permanent basis and end-of-year pride and momentum.

Denver Broncos Injury Report, Week 17: Broncos Defense Tries To Get Healthy For Season Finale

The Denver Broncos come into Sunday's finale versus the Kansas City Chiefs with their defensive stars still ailing from injuries. Brian Dawkins and Chris Harris both are dealing with neck issues, and while Dawkins did not practice at all on Wednesday, Chris Harris was limited.

Per the Associated Press' Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton, Harris is prepared to "fight through" the pain and play this Sunday.

"I’ll definitely be ready to play this week," said Harris, who was limited at Wednesday’s workout. "The body feels like everybody else’s does in the NFL at this time of the season but you’ve just got to fight through it and play your game."

Brian Dawkins (S) Neck DNP

Chris Harris (CB) Neck Limited

David Bruton (S) Achilles Limited

Quinton Carter (S) Hip Full

Von Miller (LB) Thumb Full

For all news and information regarding the Kansas City Chiefs, please visit SB Nation's Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Denver Broncos, check out SB Nation's Mile High Report. Also check out the SB Nation NFL hub page.

Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report, Week 17: Jackie Battle Held Out Of Practice Wednesday

The Kansas City Chiefs released their first injury report of the week Wednesday and running back Jackie Battle was held out of practice Wednesday as the tailback was in a walking boot at the Chiefs practice facility. Battle's chances of playing on Sunday seem slim, and interim head coach Romeo Crennel could be forced to lean on the triumvirate of ball carriers Thomas Jones, LeRon McClain and Dexter McCluster.

Jon McGraw was limited in practice with a high ankle sprain, Reshard Lanford is next in line to step up for the Chiefs on defense.

Here is the full practice report for Kansas City on Wednesday as the Chiefs prepare for the Broncos in their regular-season finale on Sunday:

LIMITED IN PRACTICE

Safety Jon McGraw (ankle)

DID NOT PRACTICE

Running Back Jackie Battle (ankle)

For all news and information regarding the Kansas City Chiefs, please visit SB Nation's Arrowhead Pride. For more on the Denver Broncos, check out SB Nation's Mile High Report. Also check out the SB Nation NFL hub page.

Broncos Vs. Chiefs: Kansas City Leads Series 55-48

The Kansas City Chiefs' Week 16 loss eliminated them from any chance at heading to the playoffs in 2011. However, that doesn't mean they can't ruin somebody else's fun in Week 17. The Chiefs go on the road to take on AFC West division foes the Denver Broncos, and with a little help from Oakland, they can eliminate them from the playoffs.

The Chiefs have a better winning percentage against the Broncos than they do against any other team in the league, except for the Raiders. They lead the series 55-48 but have lost four of the last six to Denver. The Chiefs are coming off an overtime loss at the hands of the Oakland Raiders. The Broncos are also coming off a loss, their second in a row. They were beaten badly by the Bills in Buffalo.

The Chiefs have the 25th-ranked offense in the NFL and they score the second least amount of points per game in the league. Their defense is ranked 15th in the NFL but with the 22nd-ranked run defense, they may have trouble with Denver's top-ranked rushing offense. Denver, in the meantime, has the league's 22nd-ranked defense and even though they do have the best rushing offense in the league, they have the NFL 23rd-ranked offense overall, mainly due to the fact that they have the second worst passing attack.

Still the biggest story line in this game is the fact that Tim Tebow is going to be fighting for a playoff berth against the quarterback that he replaced in Denver, Kyle Orton, who is now the starting quarterback in Kansas City due to Matt Cassel's season-ending injury. The NFL couldn't be happier with the soap opera-like story that they're sure to get out of this one.

AFC West Standings: Chiefs Fall To Last Place, Drop Out Of Playoff Race

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a tough 16-13 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders on Saturday that meant a lot more than just any loss. The defeat dropped them to a 6-9 record for the season and all the way to the bottom of the heap in the AFC West.

More than that, the loss completely eliminated any postseason hopes for the Chiefs and gave their division rivals the Raiders and the Denver Broncos one less thing to worry about as the two teams race for the NFC West crown and the accompanying No. 4 playoff berth.

The loss stings even more with the realization that the Chiefs could very well have taken that title for themselves with wins over both teams in the final two weeks of the season.

The Broncos are currently in first place in the AFC West due to the tiebreak they hold over the Raiders. Both teams sport an 8-7 record and the Raiders will need a win in conjunction with a Broncos loss to take the title, so they'll be rooting for the Chiefs this week. It remains to be seen how much joy the Chiefs can derive from playing the spoiler against at least one of their foes.

The Chiefs sit behind the 7-8 San Diego Chargers in the West.

For all news and information regarding the Kansas City Chiefs, please visit Arrowhead Pride.

Broncos Coach John Fox Tries To Keep Focus Off QB's

After a season long soap opera that saw their fans repeatedly push for Tim Tebow to take over at QB from Kyle Orton, the Denver Broncos undoubtedly thought they were putting the whole situation in the rear-view mirror when they put Orton through waivers earlier this season.

However, after the Kansas City Chiefs picked up Orton to replace the injured Matt Cassel and the ineffective Tyler Palko, the Broncos will have to face their former starter in a Week 17 rivalry game that will determine whether they make the AFC playoffs.

Naturally, the media peppered Broncos coach John Fox with questions about the two QB's on Monday, and naturally, Fox had no interest in answering any of them:

"I know we made that decision," Fox said of picking Tebow over Orton. "As I would say about anything looking forward, time will tell."

Fox frequently said in training camp and early in the season that Orton gave the Broncos the "best chance to win" and that's why he was playing him over Tebow. Asked Monday if Orton now gave the Chiefs the best chance to win Sunday's game vs. his Broncos, the coach was clearly not amused. Fox did not crack a smile as he said, "That's funny."

But no matter what Fox or interim Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel says, the focus will be on both QB's all week.

Tim Tebow Plagued By Turnovers, Must Change Ways Against Kansas City Chiefs

The Denver Broncos season will be on the line this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs — a scenario no one thought possible even just several weeks ago. As Tim Tebow has taken the reins, the defense and running game have taken over and John Fox has coached the Broncos to the division lead. Now, however, the momentum is deflating at the wrong time as team’s are getting Tebow to turn the ball over more than ever.

Adam Schefter of ESPN says Tebow must learn to protect the ball while moving the chains or the Broncos will end up losing the playoff spot that’s under their control to the Oakland Raiders. This week, the Buffalo Bills, a team that has nothing to play for, took care of business against the Broncos. Same thing can be said about a Patriots team with a lousy pass defense.

Schefter writes, "He’s turning over the football, Fred; that’s the biggest difference. He has had eight turnovers while the Denver Broncos have been forced to play from behind. Now, the New England Patriots did something interesting that other teams have not. They had a defender hit Tebow on many of his running plays, and hit him hard. They didn’t worry whether he pitched the ball; they worried about leaving a mark with Tebow, and they did. New England also took a big lead, as the Buffalo Bills did, wiping out Denver’s running game and putting Tebow in a position where he had to throw. And that’s not going to work, as we’ve seen.

“When Tebow has played well, he hasn’t turned over the football. He hasn’t looked to take many chances, either, but he has played it safe, and it has worked. What Denver has done the past two weeks hasn’t worked, and the Broncos need to turn it around Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs — or else.”

Broncos Vs. Chiefs: Kyle Orton Faces Tim Tebow For AFC West Title

Despite the low-key comments of Elway or the nonchalance of Orton, you can bet Sunday will bring plenty of emotions to the table.