DENVER — Russell Wilson has been through all the pennant races.
None with the Broncos until now, but enough during his 10 seasons with Seattle to impart some down-the-stretch wisdom upon his teammates.
“When you get to the playoffs it’s always a one-and-done,’’ Wilson said Wednesday at his weekly press conference. “So every game should be that mentality, anyway.”
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Starting Sunday afternoon (2:25 p.m. kickoff) against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Broncos are 6-6 with five games remaining. Because they are only 3-5 within the conference that is often a key tiebreaking component, the Broncos may have to win their four remaining games against AFC opponents to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
The 5-7 Chargers are an AFC team and the Broncos play them twice in the next four weeks.
“That’s the mentality you should always have, that sense of urgency,’’ Wilson said. “A sense of urgency for our fans, a sense of urgency for us as players, for our organization. We have that sense of urgency. We have a lot of great confidence, too. I love the tough moments, I love the adversity, I love the opportunity. I think challenges and obstacles are a beautiful time to have a great opportunity to overcome it and be successful. We’re not going to blink, we’re not going to flinch.”
Simmons leads Broncos’ Pro Bowl votes
The NFL released its top 10 Pro Bowl vote getters at each position Wednesday. Among Broncos, Justin Simmons had the best showing as he’s third among free safeties and second among AFC safeties.
Michael Burton is 8th among fullbacks; Wil Lutz is 8th among kickers; rookie Marvin Mims Jr. is 9th among return specialists and Lloyd Cushenberry is 10th among centers.
Notable Broncos early top 10 snubs: Cornerback Pat Surtain, right guard Quinn Meinerz, inside linebacker Alex Singleton, quarterback Russell Wilson, receiver Courtland Sutton and left tackle Garett Bolles.
Bronco Bits
Tight end Greg Dulcich did not have his practice window started Wednesday. He has been out most of the season with a hamstring injury that has troubled him through his first two NFL seasons. Dulcich has been rehabbing on the side. He said he feels better and is getting close to returning. With next Sunday's game at Detroit’s Ford Field and its artificial surface, it may make sense for Dulcich to give it a go Christmas Eve when the Broncos play New England at Empower Field. …
After rookie defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher was signed away from the Broncos’ practice squad Monday by the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos filled their opening by signing undrafted rookie linebacker Durell Nchami. …
It was Dec. 6 and the temperature was 67 degrees in the final hour of the Broncos’ outside practice Wednesday.
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