Broncos

TWENTY-THREE YEARS now, and anyone with any kind of memory can still recite the details from the last NFL postseason game played in Baltimore, the Colts' double-overtime loss to the Raiders. Bert Jones and Ted Marchibroda and Lydell Mitchell. John Madden and Kenny Stabler and Dave Casper. Sixty-degree temperatures (sigh) and drama at Memorial Stadium on Christmas Eve. Yes, maybe the game has had a longer shelf life because of the wrenching soap opera that has since unfolded here, but still, that fans continue to talk about a game played when Cal Ripken was in high school underscores perhaps the greatest obstacle the Ravens are facing in today's AFC wild-card game against the Broncos: Their lack of playoff experience.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- They held a funeral for Dan Reeve yesterday. And everybody had a chance to interview the corpse.Reeves presided over his own beheading as coach of the Denver Broncos in a way that has happened only once before in Denver pro sports history. The Denver Nuggets did the same thing when they fired Doug Moe, by having Moe himself present to answer all questions.And the only major differences between the two scenes was that Moe's wife, Jane, showed up with a bottle of champagne and asked, "Do we pick up the check or will you send it to us?"

ON A WEEKEND of giddy revivals, heroic coronations and sad passings, the NFL's big winners were the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. These two teams have control of their playoff future in the postseason shakedown that arrives next week. Not so for the Ravens or Jacksonville Jaguars, who essentially are playoff exiles unless their AFC stars align perfectly in Week 17. Yesterday began with the news of former great Reggie White's death at 43, saw Peyton Manning finally pass Dan Marino, and, in the end, produced only a few resolutions to the league's playoff quagmire.

Just a week ago, Denver Broncos quarterback Bubby Brister was ticked at the local writers for paying too much attention to his poor play in the exhibition season."

SAN DIEGO -- Denver and Green Bay were equal in special teams play until Packers coach Mike Holmgren made a move in the postseason and put receivers Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman on the return units."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The interception is mightier than the sack. Just check yesterday's Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game.The Chiefs sacked John Elway six times, but the Broncos intercepted Steve DeBerg four times, including Charles Dimry's 26-yard touchdown return, and posted a 24-20 win to take over sole possession of first place in the AFC West.The Broncos (8-3), who beat the Chiefs (7-4), 19-16, in Denver last month, scored two touchdowns 59 seconds apart in the third period en route to their 14th victory in their last 17 meetings with Kansas City.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver quarterback John Elway, who said he "bleeds Bronco orange and never planned on playing anywhere else," is now the highest-paid player in the National Football League.Elway, a 10-year veteran, signed a new four-year contract with the Broncos yesterday worth a reported $20 million, which surpasses the five-year, $22 million pact signed in 1992 by Miami's Dan Marino."I'm thrilled to death," Elway told a media gathering. "For me to be able to end my career in Denver is great.

In addition to quarterback John Elway, these are five players who need big games for the Broncos to win: RB Terrell Davis The NFL's rushing champ will be wading through heavy traffic against the Falcons, who have allowed only one back to gain 100 yards this season. The toss play is Davis' favorite, but it could be dangerous if the Falcons get across the line of scrimmage quickly. If Davis can establish the run, Elway can execute the passing game. WR Rod Smith Averaging better than 15 yards a catch in the postseason, Smith is the perfect complement to Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey.

Tonight's renewal of the Cleveland Browns-Denver Broncos AFC rivalry represents a study in how the mighty have fallen.The Browns stumble into the 9 o'clock kickoff (Ch. 13) with a 1-3 record, and coach Bud Carson's job security already has come into question. More to the point is the health of quarterback Bernie Kosar, who has been pounded by the pass rush in the first four games.The Broncos limp in with a 2-2 record, but have blown leads in each of their four games. Last week was the zenith.

The reminders are everywhere. In the locker room. On the practice field. Around town. Everywhere the Denver Broncos go, they see reminders of Darrent Williams, the cornerback who was killed senselessly when thugs riddled his limousine with bullets after a New Year's Eve party. Javon Walker, the star receiver who cradled Williams' head as he took his final breaths, wears a mohawk in his friend's honor. John Lynch carries memories of Williams in his heart because of the way the 24-year-old treated his children.