After elimination, Broncos look to play spoiler, forward to 2017

It’s fitting that a game in which the Denver Broncos will turn the page on a disappointing 2016 season will be played on New Year’s Day.

After being eliminated from playoff contention with a 33-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in its final game of 2016 — a year that saw an all-time franchise high with a Super Bowl 50 victory — Denver will now look to the future while also having the chance to play spoiler.

A team who won the last five AFC West titles, the Broncos will have a hand in deciding its winner this season. Should Denver beat the Oakland Raiders at home on Sunday, and the Chiefs win against the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City would win the division.

“It won’t be tough at all. It’s our job to play football and go out there and put our best foot forward,” said running back Justin Forsett on the prospects of getting up for one more game this season.

“The men in this locker room are resilient men. They’re fighters and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to fight until the season is over.”

But, perhaps, more importantly, the Broncos will use the final week of preparation and game of the season to work toward improving in 2017.

“I told the players 2016, obviously, was a big disappointment. We’re not going to play any more football. So, I told them on the plane ride home get it out of their system,” head coach Gary Kubiak said after the game.

“Next week’s all geared toward next year and our football team moving forward. And we’ll be positive, go back to work, work our tail off, and we need to finish on a positive note. But we need to move on to the next year.”

Kubiak did not reveal if there would be any personnel changes ahead of next weekend’s game, saying he’ll evaluate the team physically next week before making any decisions.

Last week, 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis told 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” that he thought it would make sense if Denver started rookie Paxton Lynch over second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian to give the young gunslinger more game reps.

Lynch has started two games this season and played in a third, with mixed results, while relieving an injured Siemian.

In any case, veteran linebacker DeMarcus Ware said it’s important for the team to show up next week against the Raiders if not for anything else but pride.

“I think it’s one of those games where, no matter what, you put 2016 behind you. You’ve got to look at 2017, and you’ve got to play your butt off. It is a pride game,” Ware said. “It’s the game where, no matter who’s out there, you give it all you’ve got. Because, the thing is, you always play to compete and you always play to win.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.