Broncos Winning with Attitude and Other AFC West News

The Denver Broncos have a swagger about them and are more than happy to put a stamp on their victories with a mocking celebratory sack dance or punctuated spike after an interception return for a touchdown. Winning breeds confidence, which turns into swagger and attitude.

Left unchecked, confidence can turn into cockiness and have a negative impact, but for the most part it is a good team trait.

According to Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post, the Broncos aren’t just winning, they are doing it with attitude. Broncos had seven sacks and two interceptions on Sunday and have turned themselves into a big-play team.

Winning is now expected, and the Broncos have turned to breaking their opponents mentally as well as physically. Kiszla compared the 2012 team favorably with the 1997 Broncos team led by John Elway and Terrell Davis that was among the most feared teams in the NFL.

The Broncos are becoming equally feared on offense and defense thanks to Von Miller. According to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post, Miller’s improvement between his first and second seasons can be seen in his sack totals. I’ll add that sacks alone don’t even tell you how good Miller has been in 2012.

Miller's partner in pass-rushing crime, Elvis Dumervil, will have an MRI on his shoulder on Monday morning, according Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

Other AFC West News

Oakland

Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Raiders corrected the issue on run defense only to be hurt by the pass.

Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News says Oakland’s defensive collapse reflects both on the team’s talent and coaching.

San Diego

Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego says Philip Rivers is awesome until he’s awful.   

Nick Canepa of U-T San Diego says Norv Turner’s response to a "stupid" question after the game made his day, because it wasn’t a stupid question at all.

 

Kansas City

Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star says the Chiefs are on the verge of historic futility.

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says change hasn’t helped the Chiefs.