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Before Thursday’s loss, I was looking at stats related to the “defense wins championship” claim. Basically, I was seeking reassurance that the Broncos don’t have to beat the odds to win it all. They don’t. Their current NFL-based defensive rankings are the same as the 2011 Giants. Their current Football Outsiders DVOA is better than the 2012 Ravens. So I refuse to panic. I don’t expect them to win every game. They played lousy late-season games in both ’97 and ’98. Like it or not, the Broncos stumble in the regular season on their way to championships. Personally, I think Thursday’s loss might end up being a very good thing. Am I crazy?



— Eric, Seattle



Eric – DVOA? You made me look it up. It stands for Defense-adjusted Value Over Average. I would say there’s more to life out there, Eric, than digging into DVOAs. But it doesn’t make you crazy.



Here are some examples that fit with your premise, Eric. The Broncos’ loss last Thursday was in Week 15. In 2012, the Broncos dominated the Ravens at their place in Week 15, going up 31-3 in the fourth quarter before coasting to victory.



Yet, the Ravens went on to beat the Broncos in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.



In 2011, the New York Giants lost at home in Week 15 to Mike Shanahan’s 4-11 Washington Redskins and lost big, 23-10. With that loss, the Giants were 7-7. They went on to win the Super Bowl.



In 2010, Green Bay with Matt Flynn replacing an injured Aaron Rodgers lost in Week 15 to New England. The Packers were 8-6 at the time yet went on to win the Super Bowl.



In 2009, the New Orleans Saints were 13-0 and trying to go undefeated when they fell behind Dallas, 24-3 entering the fourth quarter in Week 15, and wound up losing. Drew Brees played the entire game, by the way. The Saints went on to the Super Bowl where they beat Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts.



Anything else? Oh, yeah. You are correct, Eric. The 1998 Broncos were 13-0 entering Week 15. Lost to the 5-8 New York Giants.



The 1997 Broncos lost Week 15 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a defeat that helped send Denver to the wild card and Kansas City to a first-round bye as the AFC West champions. Both the 1997 and ’98 Broncos won the Super Bowl.



None of these teams looked like Super Bowl champions in Week 15. And neither did the 2013 Broncos during their Week 15 loss to San Diego.



Well, they figured us out. Now what?



— Matt, Austin, Texas



Matt – Keep figuring. The 2012 Ravens changed up 80 percent of their offensive line after they were destroyed upfront by the Broncos in Week 15. The 2011 Giants got some key players back from injury in the final weeks such as Ahmad Bradshaw, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.



The Broncos are changing personnel on defense and hope to get some injured players back like Champ Bailey, Wes Welker and maybe Rahim Moore and Derek Wolfe.



The Broncos should beat 2-12 Houston and 4-10 Oakland in their final two games and wind up with the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed again. After that, it’ll be up to Peyton Manning.



With Wes Welker missing action due to recent concussions, do you expect to see Ronnie Hillman as a slot receiver in special situations?



— George, Cortez



George – It’s not a bad thought. I’d be surprised but if Welker were out, say, the rest of the season, it wouldn’t be a bad thought. The Broncos are counting on Welker returning, though.



Hey, Mike, I like Kayvon Webster, even with all the heat he’s taking lately. And I think he has a lot of potential. Big enough, fast, good tackler, which I love in a corner. Are the last few weeks just growing pains for him? Tell me he’s not the next Roc Alexander.



— Eric, New York



Eric – You’re not related to Eric from Seattle are you? You’re just as smart. I like Webster for the same reasons you stated. He can tackle. Physical corners are the way to go. With today’s rules, playing physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage is the only way to stop the game from becoming 7-on-7 flag football.



Webster is getting a rough baptism, though, because opponents have been giving him the rookie treatment. Alexander, from Colorado Springs, had a rough go because of a 2004 playoff game against Manning. Webster gets to hone his craft by going against Manning in practice while not having to play against him in the game.



Hey, Mike. Thanks for your efforts this season in keeping us up on the Broncos. Correct me if I am wrong. I was believing that the Broncos’ defensive shortcomings were due to injury. Or is it that the play of Duke Ihenacho and Wesley Woodyard has just dropped off? Set me straight!



— Jack Wolfe, Breckenridge



Jack – It’s both injury, and demotion from performance. In all, Denver’s D is down six starters from how it was drawn up during the preseason.



To me the biggest blow was losing defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson to season-ending injury in the New England game, followed by middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard getting benched the next week late in the game at Kansas City.



Those two players were a big reason why the Broncos were stout against the run early. Now they’re weak against the run and that’s forcing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to bring more defenders into the box and leave some of those defensive backs alone in back.



With all these injuries on defense, are there any defensive players without a team that the Broncos could sign or sign from another team’s practice squad?



— Ron, Reno, Nev.



Ron – The team did sign veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey to essentially replace Derek Wolfe. Although the corresponding roster move was to waive center J.D. Walton, Mincey was added because of concern Wolfe will have a tough time returning to full health following his scary seizure-like episode three weeks ago.



Mincey is listed at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds. After he had 8.0 sacks with Jacksonville in 2011, he got a four-year, $20 million contract extension that included an $8 million signing bonus.



And wouldn’t you know it, his production fell off after he got the loot. He’s had five sacks in his two seasons since. Waived by Jacksonville last week, the Broncos outrecruited the Chicago Bears among others to sign him.



What’s happening with Michael Huff? Maybe it’s time to throw him into the mix?



— Bob Peterson, Colorado Springs



Bob – He’s ready. It depends on whether the coaches believe Huff can add a tackling upgrade to the secondary. Omar Bolden is a converted cornerback so naturally he’s stronger as a cover free safety than tackler.



Huff has experience but remember he hasn’t played much since the Ravens benched him after their season opener against the Broncos. He was replaced by rookie Matt Elam, who was the last pick in the first round of the 2013 draft.



I don’t think I’m alone when I ask: Why does the pain after each loss this season feel equal to, or greater than, last year’s playoff loss to Baltimore?



— Josh, Los Angeles



I’m not sure if I agree, Josh. This town was depressed for at least a month, if not through the summer, after the Ravens’ playoff loss.



The Broncos followed their first two losses this season with a win so the disappointment only lingered a few days. And I’m guessing their third loss will be followed by a win Sunday in Houston.



But I do catch your drift, Josh, in that every time this team stumbles, there is a pessimistic sense of, “Not again!”



Last year’s hurt was unexpected. Shocking. Bitter. This year it seems fans are bracing for the pain. They may get hurt again but by gosh, this time they’ll be ready!



It’s a tough way to follow a team, but so be it. Ravens fans went through it last year after their kicker missed chipped shot field goal against New England in the AFC championship game of the 2011 season. And all their guarded feelings were unleashed in joy following the final game of the 2012 season.

Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag. Listen to Mike Klis on “Klis’ Korner” on Monday-Friday at 102.3 FM ESPN.