ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Break time is over for the Denver Broncos. Actually, all of their break times are over.

The Broncos had an 11-day gap between games earlier this season when they went from a Thursday night appearance against the San Diego Chargers to a Monday night appearance against the Houston Texans the following game week. And when they report to work Monday morning, they will have closed out their Week 11 bye.

They sit 7-3, squarely in the AFC West race that is led by the Oakland Raiders, who are 7-2 and play Monday night in Mexico City.

“We’re right there,’’ cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. “Nobody has won anything yet -- that comes later. So everything we want to get done is still there.’’

It is indeed, and to win their sixth consecutive division title and get themselves into the postseason, including possibly gaining home-field advantage, the Broncos must do five things:

Trevor Siemian, who has been sacked 19 times in 291 attempts, could use better protection from his offensive line. Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Block better. The Broncos had plenty of issues in the offensive line in 2015. The players bristled at the criticism last season (even though it often was spot-on), and in the end they mustered their best football down the stretch and had their best game in Super Bowl 50. Despite spending additional free-agency money and draft capital on the position, they have had many of the same problems this year. For whatever reason, the system taught for decades with great success by coach Gary Kubiak and his staff isn’t sinking in -- either because of the delivery or because those receiving it aren’t executing. But the bottom line is that quarterback Trevor Siemian gets hit too much -- 19 sacks in 291 attempts in addition to the pounding he’s taken at times even when he’s gotten the ball away -- and the Broncos’ 3.7 yards per carry trailed all but five teams entering this past weekend’s games.

Tackle better. The Broncos' defense has had moments when it looks like it could be every bit the dominating group that powered the team’s run to a championship a year ago. But then the Broncos have a night like they did in Oakland -- 11 missed tackles -- or like they did in San Diego. The Broncos have surrendered too many receiving yards to opposing backs and tight ends, while opponents also repeatedly have found some big plays in the run game -- the Broncos have surrendered at least 6 yards per carry on runs over both the opposing left guard and left tackle. The Broncos have a chance to have all of their defensive mainstays in place Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, which would be the first time that's happened since Week 2.

Move the ball. What Siemian has done thus far, with spotty protection and a largely ornamental running game, has been underrated for a first-year starter. That said, he has to improve his tempo to where it was early in the season. Since he suffered a left shoulder injury in Week 4 at Tampa Bay, his delivery has been compromised a bit -- at times he doesn’t fully rotate his upper body or follow through enough -- and his accuracy has been affected. As a result, he has started to hold the ball too long. He has to get it out, even if it will be an incompletion. The Broncos plod on offense at times, so Siemian needs to give them better tempo. Opposing defensive coordinators have said they feel like they can settle in and rush extra players from off the ball because the Broncos' line has struggled with those looks.

Get more from their stars. The Broncos need their best players to be brightest. And linebacker Von Miller put himself at the front of the line. “I’ve got to be better,’’ he said. “I’ve got to make big-time, game-changing plays. If I can do that, I can put my teammates and my team in a better situation to win.’’ But Miller isn’t alone, and he should be helped by DeMarcus Ware’s increased playing time in the coming weeks. The Broncos need Demaryius Thomas to dominate, they need Emmanuel Sanders to dominate and they need all of their other notable players on defense -- including Harris, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward -- to be at their best.

Find their attitude. What made the 2015 team different was that it played its best in the big moments, didn’t grouse about officials and penalties and didn’t let one group’s struggles in a particular week affect what they did overall. Perhaps it’s natural in the wake of a Super Bowl win, but the Broncos have worn their frustrations on their sleeves more this year. They have six games remaining -- three in the division to go with another against the New England Patriots -- and will return to work as healthy as they have been since September. As Talib put it, “Everybody has to be ready to do what needs to be done.’’