I have always enjoyed Bernie Lincicome's columns whether in the Chicago Tribuneor the Rocky Mountain News. Bernie is a knowledgeable guy, yet, sometimes after reading his stuff, I don't know if he got up on the wrong side of the bed or if I should go back to bed. One thing I do know is that he doesn't have in his possession a pair of rose colored glasses. Otherwise, he would see that the situation with the Broncos is not as bad as he thinks.

The Broncos are currently 7-4. In his column of 11-24, Bernie referred to them as follows: "The special teams are horrible, the running game is imaginary, the offensive line is tattered, the pass rush is feeble, the play calling is un-creative, (a flea flicker on the second play of the game?) and team poise is unsettled."

7-4 looks good after that diatribe! I think they have a chance for a wild card spot and even a shot at winning their division. Let's take a look: The first place Chargers play at Buffalo next week. The Bills have won 3 of their last 4 and are tough in Buffalo in cold December, especially against southern California teams. The Chargers had to fight to the bitter end at home this week to beat woeful Oakland. Maybe their offensive express is slowing down. After a good rest, the Broncos have inconsistent Seattle (7-4) at home next week after the Seahawks lose a preparation day because of their Monday night game. So, assuming a Bronco home win and Chargers away loss, suddenly it's Chargers at 9-3, Broncos at 8-4. The following week it's Broncos at Chargers and a win is important but a loss is not necessarily life threatening. Even with a loss at San Diego, the Broncos should beat Arizona away and have the advantage on Cincinnati (6-5) and San Francisco (5-6) at Invesco to finish at 11-5. Throw in a semi-unlikely win at San Diego and they are 12-4. That's not bad and either record should mean at least a wild card spot or possibly the division championship despite what other contenders do.

Before you laugh, remember the 2005 Steelers and the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Can Jay Cutler pull it off at QB? He wouldn't be the first inexperienced guy to do it. The AZ Cardinals stink but rookie QB Matt Leinart looks great. T ony Romo replaced Bledsoe in Dallas and has led the Cowboys to the division lead. Then there is Ben Roethlisberger winning the Super Bowl with the wild card Steelers in his second year after a good rookie year. Cutler went to Vanderbilt, a school with a fine academic reputation, so he is no dummy. At 6' 4" and 230 he has good size and a strong arm plus he knows that this is a great opportunity. There will be some rookie mistakes but I like the guy and think he will be all right.

The Broncos still have injury problems, especially on defense, but who doesn't this late in the schedule? They are still only giving up 15 points per game. San Diego is living on two improbable second half comebacks against Cincinnati and Denver with Oakland proving that they are not invincible. As Howard Cosell used to say, "This is the National Football League" and they don't play in short pants here. The Broncos have too much tradition and pride to give up. Give me a smile, Bernie. The fat lady is still waiting in the wings.