Broncos Face Jets Tonight, Try to Improve to 7-0

The Denver Broncos don’t need long memories. They need to think back only to last December for motivation.

The Broncos, the leaders in the AFC West, are 6-0, and each victory is another step toward making the playoffs, something they failed to do despite being 11-5 last season. That was the best record for a non-playoff team in NFL history.

“It’s a big incentive,” said quarterback John Elway, who leads the Broncos into Giants Stadium (6 p.m., PDT) against the New York Jets (5-1), the leaders in the AFC East. “We look back and realize you can control your own destiny.

“We won 24 games in the last two years and have nothing to show for it. That provides extra incentive for us. We know we have the talent, and it’s a matter of getting it geared together in one direction.”

The Broncos have moved in a positive direction all season behind a defense which ranks first in the NFL against the run, allowing only 2.9 yards per carry. The offense has scored 179 points, tops in the league after six games.

Elway has thrown 11 touchdown passes and only 2 interceptions. “John has always had a good touch, but he has so much confidence in his arm that he felt he could throw the ball through defenders, drill it,” Denver Coach Dan Reeves said. “He’s learned touch, improved it and done a great job for us.”