**[
](http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/28/denver-broncos-playoff-implications-2016/)Mecklenburg's case for the Hall of Fame (Rick Gosselin, Talk of Fame Network)
*Mecklenburg was the defensive equivalent of a Swiss army knife. A multi-purpose defensive tool, he played anywhere and everywhere, from season to season, often from game to game.*
Broncos fighting uphill battle in strong AFC West (Cameron Wolfe, Denver Post)
Luckily for Denver, the season isn't over, though the 30-27 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night left the Broncos facing a rude reality that they are fighting just to make the playoffs. Winning their sixth consecutive AFC West title would require a remarkable finish, as they trail Oakland by two games with five to play.
Stephenson to Sambrailo: 'I've been there, keep working' (Mike Klis, KUSA)
Stephenson replaced Sambrailo midway through the second quarter and finished the game. Houston didn't get a sack in the second half or overtime, so Stephenson earned the right to play right tackle Sunday.
Broncos' focus, resolve will be tested in the coming weeks (Jeff Legwold, ESPN.com)
Certainly the Broncos' togetherness will be tested in the coming weeks, given they are 7-4, in third place in the AFC West after Sunday night's overtime loss and now may need to win out or at least win four of their last five games, to be in the playoff conversation
Nobody's second-guessing Kubiak at Broncos HQ (Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press)
Nobody at Broncos headquarters is second-guessing Gary Kubiak's ill-fated decision to try a 62-yard field goal even though Brandon McManus's miss gave the Chiefs a short field to win it as overtime expired.
Check out what's on DenverBroncos.com
Next-Day Notebook: Talib apologizes, Stephenson shows a spark (Andrew Mason)
The playoffs are still within reach, but with the hard-charging Dolphins now ahead of the Broncos via a conference-record tiebreaker, their margin for error has evaporated.
Family man Stewart finally finds a home in Denver (Ben Swanson)
Why did Darian Stewart sign a contract extension with the Broncos? Simple: It's where he feels most at home.
Stewart on signing extension: 'I love winning' (DenverBroncos.com)
With his wife and daughter in attendance, Darian Stewart talks about his thought process in signing a four-year extension to stay in Denver.
King Soopers fan gallery: Chiefs vs. Broncos (DenverBroncos.com)
A look at how Broncos Country took in Sunday Night Football.
