The Denver Broncos' 2011 season ended in defeat on the field at Gillette Stadium, but the team that beat them, the New England Patriots, were unable to claim the Lombardi Trophy, losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. How are the Broncos and the rest of the league looking as we head into the offseason? SB Nation's Joel Thorman has put out his end-of-the-season NFL power rankings and the Broncos check in at No. 20.
The Broncos drop four spots from No. 16 to No. 20 largely because he doesn't think a .500 record was all that great to win a division (and it was a three-way tie, at that). However, all four AFC West teams are ranked in the same area. The San Diego Chargers are the No. 19 team, but Norv Turner is back, which complicates things. The Raiders come in at No. 21 after having hired Dennis Allen, former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, as head coach. The Chiefs check in at No. 22 and will hope Matt Cassel plays better. And Romeo Crennel will need to show he is a better coach than he showed in Cleveland.
For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes on the draft and the rest of the offseason.