Broncos bench Marshall for finale
The Denver Broncos, who started 6-0, have won only two of their past nine games. With an 8-7 record, the Broncos need a win against Kansas City (and some help with tie-breakers) to make the playoffs.
If they beat the Chiefs, it will be without stud receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been benched for week 17, according to the Associated Press.
"Our word for the week has been accountability. And we're looking to put the 45 guys on the field on Sunday that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs," [Broncos coach Josh] McDaniels said. "... And anybody that showed any indifference to that, we'll play without them."
Not only will the Broncos be without Marshall, but they'll also be without tight end Tony Scheffler. Both will become restricted free agents after the season ends.
If the Broncos make the playoffs, however, it will be interesting to see whether Marshall and/or Scheffler are active for the playoffs.
"Anything I do moving forward is going to be in a professional manner," Marshall said. "I'm not going to get into any he said/she said like we've done in the past. I think that's childish, and like I said, I don't think there's any question about my toughness, the way I play the game. It could be first-and-10 and if I gain 15 yards, I'm still fighting for 16 yards."
Two weeks ago, Marshall set the single-game record with 21 receptions against the Colts. In that game, he had 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns. And he was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad earlier in the week.
Without Marshall, Scheffler and possibly Eddie Royal (injury) out of Sunday's lineup though, expect for running back Knowshon Moreno -- and, to a lesser extent, Correll Buckhalter -- to receive a heavy workload against a run-friendly Kansas City defense.
