TotalBroncos

1. Houston Texans (9-1) Last week: 1 The Texans received all they could handle from the Jaguars in last Sunday’s 43-37 overtime win. Houston’s defense could have been much better, but they have the high-powered offense to pick up the slack for when Wade Phillips’ unit has an off-day. 2. Atlanta Falcons (9-1) Last week: 2 Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has 12 interceptions on the season, eight of which have come in (closer than they should have been) wins over the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. As the Falcons attempt to position themselves to win their first playoff game of the otherwise wildly successful Thomas Dimitroff/Mike Smith Era, it has to be concerning that Ryan is capable of truly horrific games, at home, against inferior opponents. 3. New England Patriots (7-3) Last week: 6 Losing Rob Gronkowski for perhaps the remainder of the regular season undoubtedly hurts, but the Patriots are fully capable of adapting and should get Aaron Hernandez back for the stretch run . With Tom Brady at quarterback, New England’s offense will be fine and they’ll get Gronk back in January. 4. San Francisco 49ers (7-2-1) Last week: 7 Colin Kaepernick’s incredible performance against the Bears on Monday night has created a quarterback controversy for Jim Harbaugh, but there’s no denying how good this team is right now, regardless of who’s under center. According to Football Outsiders, the 49ers are No. 1 in team DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) with Top 6 rankings in both offense (2) and defense (6). 5. Denver Broncos (7-3) Last week: 4 Losing Willis McGahee for the remainder of the season to a torn MCL in his right knee will hurt, but this offense has run through Peyton Manning and will continue to do so. Denver’s offense and defense currently rank in the Top 5 in Football Outsiders’ offensive and defensive DVOA rankings.

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Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: Texans remain in the top spot (Shutdown Corner)

Willis McGahee has been placed on recallable injured reserve by the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos.

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Denver Broncos eye title game return for Willis McGahee

Brady Quinn is getting another shot on the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback merry-go-round.

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Brady Quinn back as Kansas City Chiefs’ starter vs. Denver Broncos

By Rich Kurtzman Without Willis McGahee, the Broncos are missing their workhorse. McGahee, the 31-year-old that has carried the load for Denver over the last two seasons, partially tore his MCL in the second quarter of the team’s win over San Diego last Sunday. Luckily for McGahee and the Broncos, the MRI showed the ligament wasn’t completely torn, meaning it won’t require surgery and he’s hopeful to return in 4-6 weeks, though doctors believe it will be more like 6-8 weeks. The 6′ 235 pound running back has been enjoying a late-career resurgence in the Mile High City, gaining 1,930 yards with eight touchdowns since 2011 and he’s a solid blocker on the blitz pick up. But he’s also had difficulties with holding onto the ball, losing four fumbles in 10 games this season alone. (Credit, Jamie Squire/Getty Image) Behind McGahee on the Broncos bench is a stable of young runners that will have to step their respective games up. Ronnie Hillman has been the No. 2 back behind McGahee, and the rookie has a ton of speed. Hillman, at 5’9” 200 pounds, uses his explosive ability to burst down the sidelines and has been close to breaking some big runs as of late, racking up 188 yards and one score. But some are worried he’s too small to pick up blocks as consistently as he needs to, meaning Lance Ball and Knowshon Moreno may get more playing time ahead of Hillman. Ball is a bruiser, at 5’9” 215 pounds, able to push through the line between the tackles and make sack-saving blocks when blitzers bust through. He’s gained 94 yards on the ground and Ball also has good hands, with seven receptions for 61 yards and one score this year. Of course, the wildcard is fourth-year running back Moreno. Moreno went from the starter in 2010, to the backup last year and inactive for almost every game this season. Considering how little he’s played, the 5’11” 200 pound back should have fresh legs and he’s proven as a blocker and receiver. But where he’s never lived up to his potential is running the rock, averaging only 4.1 yards per carry over his career and is not able to break the long runs to the house. Ball and Hillman will almost certainly get more playing time, at least at first, but Moreno will get an opportunity in the backfield, his last chance to prove himself worthy of continuing to play in the NFL. And really, every one of the Broncos’ running backs should have motivation to run well. Ball’s never really had a shot with a consistent amount of carries—he will show he can run the ball. Hillman is still a rookie trying to prove he’s an NFL-caliber runner, which means much more than just taking the ball outside the tackles. For Moreno, many believe this is his last chance to make something happen, at least with the Broncos. Something says he’ll find a way to make something positive happen. For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Broncos news, see  CBS Sports Denver . Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Find more of Rich’s Denver Broncos pieces on Examiner.com .

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Willis McGahee’s Torn MCL Means Denver Broncos Will Run by Committee