NFL Playoff Scenarios: Why the Denver Broncos Won't Make Playoffs

You aren’t dreaming, this isn’t a movie, quit slapping yourself: Kyle Orton will actually have the opportunity to get revenge against John Fox, Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. 

Denver may control its own destiny, but it’s looking like destiny that the Kansas City Chiefs will knock them off in Week 17.  No motivational fuel boasts the power of revenge and Orton will prove that next Sunday.

After winning six straight, Denver is falling apart.  Their once stout defense surrendered 41 points to the New England Patriots two weeks ago.  And this past week against the Buffalo Bills, Tebow had his worst NFL game yet, throwing a whopping four interceptions; two were returned for touchdowns, and in the fourth quarter no less.

While the Broncos are slumping, the Chiefs pulled off one of the most impressive wins of the entire season two weeks ago, upsetting the undefeated Green Bay Packers 19-14.  In that contest, Orton outdueled Aaron Rodgers throwing for 299 yards.  Kansas City’s defense is also greatly improved and has surrendered over 17 points just once in the last seven games.

In the two teams’ first meeting, Denver won despite Tebow only completing two passes out of his eight attempts as the Broncos went on to win 17-10.  While the Broncos' running backs would believe otherwise, it’s safe to say that the former Florida Gator will be forced to throw more than eight times for Denver to win this one.  As the squads sail in opposite directions, the Broncos will continue their trend and fall to the Chiefs.

And the Oakland Raiders aren’t going to lose to the San Diego Chargers.  Half of the Chargers have already scheduled their offseason vacations to the Bahamas.  In a must-win game, Oakland will protect its house against a San Diego squad that just got beat down 38-10 to the Detroit Lions.

Denver will rue the day they refused to trade Orton to the Miami Dolphins.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.