OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Just a year ago, Denver and Oakland went to the end of the season in the race for the AFC West title, with the Broncos edging the Raiders for first place on the final day by winning a three-team tiebreaker with …

… against Houston and San Francisco will largely determine whether the Patriots can land a first-round playoff bye. 3. Denver Broncos - Yeah, that Peyton Manning signing worked out all right. The Broncos have already clinched the AFC West .

… quarterback, the Denver Broncos have plenty to play for over the next four weeks even though they've already clinched the AFC West title. The Oakland Raiders, meanwhile, are searching for any signs of progress amid their 10th straight season without …

… shock value. The second-year defensive lineman out of Wyoming helped the Denver Broncos wrap up their second straight AFC West title Sunday with their seventh straight win, a less-than-perfect but oh-so-pretty 31-23 win over the feisty …

… races, particularly in the NFC North and for the wild cards. But after Sunday's action, four teams already can make plans to play in January. The Broncos (9-3) won their seventh straight, 31-23 over Tampa Bay, to take the AFC West .

… the NFL playoffs. With four weeks to go in the regular-season, New England owns the AFC East title, Denver has the AFC West and Atlanta won the NFC South. Houston has not clinched the AFC South, although it has a three-game lead over Indianapolis …