Denver Broncos hope to earn at least the No. 2 AFC playoffs seed

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After Monday night's win over the Bengals, the Denver Broncos' postseason equation is simple: defeat the San Diego Chargers next Sunday and earn at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and the bye week that would go along with it.

But the Broncos' possibilities for the AFC playoffs are wide open; they can be every seed but No. 4, based on how results this weekend transpire. A win and a Patriots loss would give them the top seed, but a loss would throw them into the No. 5 or 6 seed if the Chiefs defeat the Raiders, or the No. 3 seed if Oakland pulls the upset at Arrowhead Stadium in a game that kicks off at the same time as Denver's.

The Broncos desperately need the bye. Both of their starting safeties are still injured. Running back C.J. Anderson is dealing with a back injury. Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall is iffy to play against San Diego because of an ankle injury.

"We don't get a week off if we don't take care of this week," Anderson said. "We've got to take care of this week, starting today."

--Peyton Manning was still furious over the allegations made in an Al Jazeera documentary that he sought after-hours treatment at the Guyer Institute and received human growth hormone shipped to him under his wife's name in 2011 when he was trying to recover from multiple neck surgeries.

"I don't have a whole lot to add to what I said on Sunday," Manning said. "The report wasn't true Sunday; it's not true today; it won't ever be true."

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA Today that the league would review the allegations against Manning and other players, including three Packers.

"I'd be glad if they come in here tonight, tomorrow, and do it and get it over with," Manning said.

--Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak was nonplussed by a Monday night flag thrown on Malik Jackson -- not because it wasn't legitimate based on the play, but because of the timing of the flag: well after the play and as the Bengals and Broncos were preparing to line up for the next snap.

"Yeah, that was interesting," Kubiak said. "I don't know. I know it happened very late. There was a facemask on the play. There is no doubt about that, but yet there was no flag and you're almost to the next play and here it comes."

"(Referee) Ed [Hochuli] was very honest with me and said that he got late information but he thinks it was right. It's kind of hard to argue with that. I know they're trying to do the best job they can."

The aggressive Jackson had a spate of 15-yard penalties early in the season that faded at midseason, but has now drawn 15-yard infractions in consecutive games. But after the delay, Kubiak thought he had escaped punishment until the flag flew -- which appeared to follow a glance at the video boards perched above the end zones at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

"I don't know that I know exactly how late they can throw one," Kubiak said. "I know there is a lot of communication going on around the league from the league office, the officials, from New York, whatever. I know that has changed. Those guys get a lot of information as the game goes on.

"Anytime it is 'the game', the Monday Night game, all the help is coming at one direction, not like a normal Sunday where there is 14 or 15 football games. That's a little bit different, but I think I do understand they're trying to get it right."

Notes: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall injured his ankle when it was rolled up on late in Monday night's game, but an MRI revealed no extensive damage. He did not practice Wednesday, but could return this week. ... Safety T.J. Ward returned after missing three weeks because of an ankle injury and played 39 snaps. Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said Ward did not suffer any setbacks and should play this week.