The Denver Broncos started 6-0 in 2009, but did not make the playoffs.
They are 2-4 in 2010 after playing the NFL’s toughest schedule so far and have a legitimate shot at the postseason.
Perfectly logical, thanks to an imperfect division.
The Broncos begin AFC West play Sunday when they host the Oakland Raiders, and with the heavyweights of the AFC off their backs – and their schedule – Denver could erase the memory of 2009 and finish with a flourish in 2010.
After a loss at Jacksonville and a win against Seattle, the Broncos went 1-3 in a brutal four-game stretch against Indianapolis, Tennessee, Baltimore and New York Jets (a combined 17-7).
Denver’s remaining opponents, though, are 18-22.
The Broncos, who have lost 12 of their last 16, have six games left against their division rivals, plus games against San Francisco, St. Louis, Arizona and Houston.
Anyone can win the AFC West: Kansas City is 3-2, followed by Denver, Oakland and San Diego, all 2-4.
The Broncos can also be encouraged by their running game, which gained a season-high 145 yards in the 24-20 loss to the New York Jets last week. It remains last in the NFL at 67.3 yards per game, but with the Raiders’ No. 30 rush defense on the horizon, more improvement can be expected.
Knowshon Moreno returned after missing three games with a hamstring injury and gained 48 yards on 12 carries, and rookie quarterback Tim Tebow added a new wrinkle to the offense with six carries for 23 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run during his eight plays.
Denver quarterback Kyle Orton had his worst game of the season last week (14 of 34 for 209 yards and a touchdown), but he remains second in the NFL with 323.7 passing yards per game. Brandon Lloyd leads the NFL in receiving yards with 663.
Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal (groin) and cornerback Champ Bailey (ribs) are questionable.
The Raiders contributed heavily to Denver’s demise in 2009 with a 20-19 victory in Week 15, part of the Broncos’ season-ending four-game losing streak. Oakland rushed for 241 yards that day.
The Raiders, who have an NFL record seven straight seasons with 11 or more losses, lost 17-9 to the previously winless San Francisco 49ers last week.
Raiders coach Tom Cable said Wednesday he has “no idea” who will play quarterback Sunday, although it looks like Kyle Boller will get the call.
Jason Campbell, who was 8 for 21 with two interceptions last week, has a knee strain and was limited in practice Wednesday. Bruce Gradkowski, who has an injured shoulder, threw only lightly Wednesday.
Running back Darren McFadden, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice Wednesday, leads the Raiders with 392 yards. Michael Bush has stepped in with 151 yards and a touchdown in the last two games.
The Raiders are 10th in the NFL in rushing (130.2 yards per game).
Oakland’s Zach Miller is second in the NFL among tight ends with 388 yards and fourth with 30 receptions.