Despite no playoff prospects, Broncos still find meaning in finale

In terms of postseason implications for the Denver Broncos, Sunday’s game at home against the Oakland Raiders doesn’t mean a whole lot.

But don’t tell head coach Gary Kubiak it doesn’t have meaning.

No, a win in Week 17 can’t magically reverse the result of Sunday’s 33-10 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, wherein Denver was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but on principle alone the Broncos final “meaningless” game has purpose.

“Regardless of the stakes, you should be getting ready to play the same way,” Kubiak said after practice Wednesday. “Obviously, everybody is disappointed. We’re playing a game that doesn’t carry a lot of meaning from the standpoint of playoffs, but it carries a lot of meaning because it’s our next game.”

Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck, on with 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth and Evans” on Wednesday, said Sunday’s game “doesn’t feel right” and that it’ll be “weird for fans,” but despite the circumstances it’s important to perform well at home.

“You’d like to see them go out strong. The effort and execution that first quarter, first half, against Kansas City, you don’t want that kind of then combined with a bad home loss to be the lasting memories of this season,” Renck said.

Renck also mentioned the Broncos playing for divisional pride, as until this season Denver had not lost a road game, let alone had not been swept, by an AFC West foe since going 4-12 in 2010.

“You don’t want to go out in the AFC West this way. The biggest difference when you look at what happened from this year to last year, the Broncos hadn’t lost a road game in the AFC West for five years. They didn’t win one this year,” Renck said.

“You don’t want to get swept by Oakland and Kansas City. That’s not a good look for this team.”

Oakland will have something to play for Sunday, as they could slip from a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs to the No. 5 wild card seed with a loss and a Chiefs win.

But Renck said, if Denver’s defense can return to form, he likes the Broncos’ chances, especially with Raiders starter Derek Carr out with a broken leg.

“Oakland’s had a great season and deserves everything they get, but without Derek Carr, you have a chance, even with starting Paxton and playing younger guys,” Renck said. “You still should be able to beat them, I think. If you come out and play the way they typically play defensively, you can beat them when they’re using a backup quarterback.”

Rookie Paxton Lynch will receive reps in the game, though second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian will start the game for Denver, Kubiak announced Wednesday.

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