As the season progresses so do the Denver Broncos. A few weeks ago on Monday Night Football the Broncos were in the limelight under the watchful eye of NFL fans across the country. Denver lost on Monday night to the season’s best Atlanta Falcons 27-21, whose record today is an undefeated 7-0. Since then, Denver has won the games they should and lost the ones many expected they would.

With the most grueling part of their schedule behind them, Denver can now focus on the games that can place them alone atop of the AFC West. At the rate the Broncos are improving, many believe a Manning brother rivalry could possibly be in the making for Super Bowl XLVII.

This week, Denver leaped out in front of the AFC West standings by beating Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, and San Diego’s loss to the “Dog Pound,” Cleveland Browns also helped Denver’s cause. The Broncos travel next week to face a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team whose record of 3-4 is affecting ticket sales. Cincinnati is struggling to sellout games and this weekend’s game is no different, as Bengals fans may have to come to grips with the possibility of a blackout in their area.

Denver came off of their bye week refreshed and ready to show the NFL nation why Peyton Manning chose Denver and may be worth the investment made. On Sunday Night, Manning was on fire, hitting 22 of 30 for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Demaryius Thomas was the recipient of seven of those for 137 yards and a touchdown. This week however, the talk wasn’t so much of Manning’s phenomenal play, but rather the impressive development of Denver’s “D,” which is now seemingly matching Manning’s offensive authority.

Denver’s Wesley Woodyard led the Bronco’s “D” with 13 tackles, one sack, an interception and one forced fumble, touting his case for defensive player of the week. Woodyard and Denver’s D were next to perfect in their execution of stopping one the NFL’s most potent quarterbacks, holding Brees to just 22 of 42 for 213 yards and two interceptions. Denver held the New Orleans star quarterback to his second lowest quarterback rating of the season.