MVN: Most Valuable Network

Trying to predict the outcome of a Denver Broncos game is becoming futile.

You could suggest that the team is playing to the level of their competition, explaining amazing wins on the road but losing to bottom feeders like the Chiefs and Raiders.

Or you could say those two humiliating losses are due to the fact that AFC West Divisional games are simply unpredictable, no matter the circumstances of records.

How about the speculation that with the Broncos being forced to change so many players on defense due to injury, offensive coordinators have a tougher time to gameplan against a unit that's nevertheless one of the least talented in the league?

Or is it the Broncos themselves that are not used to each others' playing habits, as they don't practice or play on the same squads with any frequency?

Or maybe the inconsistency in play can be blamed on youth. All but one of the Broncos' drafted rookies, plus undrafted Wesley Woodyard, have seen significant action this season. The one exception, Carlton Powell, was placed on the PUP list and never emerged off it.

How about any issues with matchups? For example, perhaps weak pass defenses like the Jets exhibited on Sunday will play to the benefit of Jay Cutler and company, while the presence of a Nnamdi Asomugha could foul things up?

The most likely answer is that all of the above and any of the below that you want to add is likely irrelevant in its entirety. The better answer can be just said in three simple words:

Any Given Sunday.

What is known as fact for this week is that the Broncos are three valuable games up on San Diego in the division race. It is feasible that Denver could clinch the AFC West with a win over the Chiefs on Sunday and a loss by the Chargers on Thursday night. Unfortunately (perhaps for general television viewers as well as Broncos fans), the Chargers draw the Raiders next.

Then again, the Chargers almost lost to the Raiders the last time they played. But then again, the Chiefs beat the Broncos the last time they met. Then again, home field advantage is always top dog in the Denver/KC rivalry...

Here we go again. Let's try not to drive ourselves nuts with predictions and just watch them play some football.