”There’s 32 of these jobs, and to think that you’re doing one of them is the greatest feeling in the world. I’ll say this: At this place, this is the best job in America,” Kubiak said this week, ”because the people you’ve got helping you on a daily basis are second to none.”

Several factors can be considered when rating which of the six head-coaching vacancies around the league is the most – or least – worth wanting. Those include roster quality, especially at quarterback; how helpful and patient ownership is; competence of the general manager; competitiveness of the division.

Among the potential candidates for these positions are top offensive minds (Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay), defensive experts (Matt Patricia, Teryl Austin) and folks who’ve been around before (Tom Coughlin, Mike Smith).

If one had his choice of landing spots, which should he pick? Here is one analysis of the current NFL openings, in order of desirability:

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DENVER BRONCOS (2016 record: 9-7)

Why it’s a good gig: By far the best job available. One side of the ball is set, thanks to linebacker Von Miller and the rest of a topflight defense that led the club to the title not that long ago and was superb again this season. There’s considerable talent on the roster, a winning environment, a real home-field advantage, a GM (John Elway) who knows what he’s doing, and a willingness to do – and spend – what it takes to succeed.

Why it’s a bad gig: There is no established quarterback – Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch have a combined 16 pro starts – and the AFC West might just be the league’s toughest division.

What was said: ”This is a great place to work, but the expectations are high. … Everybody that comes here, as a coach or as a player, understands that the standard is to have to be able to compete for world championships.” – Elway.

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-13)

Why it’s a good gig: There’s a big drop-off from Denver to the rest of the bunch, but Jacksonville ranks No. 2, primarily because of an up-and-coming defense and relatively patient ownership, plus plenty of room under the cap to bring in help. Doesn’t hurt to be in the deeply flawed AFC South, either, meaning a playoff berth is never far out of reach.

Why it’s a bad gig: Not clear that Blake Bortles is a long-term solution at quarterback and, as of now, it appears the franchise could be stuck with him for at least another season.

What was said: ”Whoever the new head coach is, I totally understand that he’s going to play at quarterback who he wants to play at quarterback, and I have no problem with that.” – Bortles.

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LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-12)

Why it’s a good gig: Thanks mainly to Aaron Donald, the defense is respectable. Sophomore slump aside, Todd Gurley looks like the real deal at running back. There’s also a young QB drafted No. 1 overall, Jared Goff, to work with. And if you’re a coach who wants to ”go Hollywood,” well, here’s a place you truly can.

Why it’s a bad gig: Something’s amiss when a coach gets fired within days of word leaking out that he received an extension a while ago. Oh, and there’s the not-so-little matter of 12 consecutive seasons without making the playoffs.

What was said: ”With the talent we’ve got, we shouldn’t be where we’re at, as far as the record and the way we’ve been losing.” – Donald.

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SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-11)

Why it’s a good gig: There’s quality at QB (in the short term, anyway, because Philip Rivers is 35), RB (Melvin Gordon) and DE (Joey Bosa). And, hey, can’t beat the weather, right?

Why it’s a bad gig: The uncertainty over whether the team will be in San Diego or LA is only one manifestation of the club’s long-standing lack of direction. Ownership is known for hiring coaches on the cheap, and the Chargers have made nine playoff appearances in 33 years.

What was said: ”You’re looking for a leader. It’s not always just about the X’s and O’s.” – GM Tom Telesco, on what he wants in a coach.

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BUFFALO BILLS (7-9)

Why it’s a good gig: Some pieces of the puzzle are in place, including WR Sammy Watkins and RB LeSean McCoy. Not a lot else, though.

Why it’s a bad gig: Start with two names – Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Bills are basically playing for second place, at best, behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East, although even that doesn’t account for why they have gone 17 seasons without reaching the playoffs. That drought is unfathomable in today’s everyone-has-a-chance NFL. One example of the problems: GM Doug Whaley had no input in the decision to fire coach Rex Ryan.

What was said: ”We’re searching for that coach that can be here for 10-15 years.” – Whaley.

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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-14)

Why it’s a good gig: Hmmmm. San Francisco’s a terrific city? The new stadium? Nowhere to go but up?

Why it’s a bad gig: A lengthy list, from the lack of a QB, to a woeful defense, to general dysfunction and impatience of an organization that dismissed three head coaches and a GM over the past three seasons. Things are so bad that team CEO Jed York was asked at a news conference why he shouldn’t be dismissed or reassigned.

What was said: ”I own this football team. You don’t dismiss owners. I’m sorry that that’s the facts and that’s the case, but that’s the fact.” – York.

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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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”We understand this stretch, where we’re at and how well we’re going to have to play, but we’re excited and looking forward to it,” Denver coach Gary Kubiak said.

For the Tennessee Titans, hosting the Broncos on Sunday is the biggest game this franchise has played in years.

Yes, really.

The Titans (6-6) share the AFC South lead with both Houston and Indianapolis, a spot Tennessee hasn’t held this late in a season since 2008 when winning the division wire-to-wire for the team’s most recent playoff berth.

The Titans have had four chances to climb above .500 this season and lost each time. Now they are well-rested coming off their latest bye in franchise history, and linebacker Brian Orakpo believes everyone’s refreshed and ready to chase a playoff berth after finishing the 2015 season with the No. 1 overall draft pick.

”They’re fighting for a position, and we’re fighting for a position,” Orakpo said. ”It’s definitely going to be a great game.”

The Broncos are working through the NFL’s toughest finishing stretch after their overtime loss to Kansas City and a 20-10 win in Jacksonville last week, and now they hit the road again.

Then it gets really challenging with a visit from New England before Denver goes to Kansas City and wraps up the season hosting Oakland.

”We know we’re going to have to play really, really well,” Kubiak said. ”Well, we’re going to have to play great if we’re going to get there, and we know that.”

Here are some things to know as the Broncos and Titans chase a playoff berth:

WHO’S AT QB: Kubiak is hoping Trevor Siemian is back after missing the Jacksonville win with a left mid-foot sprain. Rookie Paxton Lynch, who played collegiately at Memphis, got his first career win against the Jaguars, but completed only half his passes for 104 yards.

Siemian threw for a career-high 386 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 30-27 overtime loss to Kansas City. Kubiak said they will have both quarterbacks ready to play Sunday.

MARIOTA STREAKING: The Titans have no such questions at quarterback with Marcus Mariota a big reason why they have won five of their past eight games.

He has set a franchise record in throwing at least two TDs in each of the past eight games, and he has thrown 21 TDs with just three interceptions in that span. Mariota leads the NFL with a 117.7 passer rating and the Titans lead the NFL in scoring an average of 30.8 points per game since Oct. 6.

”I think the same Mariota you saw in college, that’s the same quarterback you’re seeing now,” Broncos linebacker Von Miller said.

”It’s rare that you find a quarterback that has that success in college and continues to have the same type of success in the National Football League. Mariota, he’s doing it.

GET THE BALL: The Broncos have scored a league-high 103 points off turnovers and will test Mariota’s improved ball security. Opponents scored five TDs earlier this season off the Titans quarterback’s interceptions and fumbles, but the Titans have not turned the ball over even once over the past three games.

DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWN: Denver has the NFL’s stingiest defense against the pass, giving up just 192.7 yards per game. But the Broncos will have to find a way to slow down DeMarco Murray, the league’s second-best rusher. The Titans rank third in the league in averaging 141.5 yards per game with run defense a big issue for Denver, which is 28th in allowing 122.8 yards per game.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is too smart not to be ready to stop the run. ”And we’ll be ready to throw it against their No. 1 pass defense,” Mularkey said.

THIN BACKFIELD: Running back Justin Forsett, 31, was claimed off waivers Monday from Detroit and is expected to play in Tennessee. The Broncos have three running backs on injured reserve with Kapri Bibbs the latest after spraining his left ankle in Jacksonville. The Titans are giving up just 92.3 yards rushing per game, seventh in the NFL.

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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL .

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Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

The post Broncos visit Titans as defending champs chase playoff berth appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Denver Broncos coach is optimistic Trevor Siemian can return to the lineup this weekend and trusts that rookie Paxton Lynch has a bright future despite his shaky start Sunday at Jacksonville.

Lynch completed just a dozen passes – only two after halftime – for 104 yards and converted just one of 13 first downs. But he didn’t turn the ball over like he had in his first start against Atlanta in Week 5, when he threw an interception and fumbled twice.

Lynch, who’s still learning how to play under center, make progressions in the passing game and call plays in the huddle – things he didn’t do much at the University of Memphis – struggled mostly with his accuracy . But his ball protection allowed Denver’s defense and special teams to lead the way to a 20-10 victory that put them back in the playoff picture at 8-4.

”He’s still a young, raw player,” Kubiak said. ”He’ll learn a lot from this game. He missed two big plays in the game off of bootlegs that could have been touchdowns for us. But he’ll learn from that and be better because of it.”

Although Denver managed just 206 yards of offense, its defense forced three turnovers and punter Riley Dixon averaged 46 yards on 11 punts, accounting for 506 yards. Dixon’s 41.4-yard net punting average is the highest by any rookie in NFL history.

Siemian sat out Sunday with a left mid-foot sprain he suffered in overtime of Denver’s loss to Kansas City a week earlier. He spent a few days last week in a walking boot but was out of it by the weekend and showed no noticeable limp in the locker room Monday.

The true test comes Wednesday if he’s cleared to practice, to see if he can move around in the pocket.

The Broncos’ playoff hopes could rest on that answer.

Their next four opponents have a combined .729 winning percentage. No one in the NFL has a tougher schedule to finish out the season than the Broncos, who visit AFC South co-leader Tennessee (6-6) on Sunday.

Siemian had his best game as a pro , 368 yards passing, three touchdowns and no interceptions, against the Chiefs, just the kind of step-it-up performance Kubiak challenged him to deliver in Denver’s stretch run. But he hurt his foot on a sack in overtime and Lynch was up again.

Playing behind a porous O-line, Siemian hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He bruised his throwing shoulder in the preseason and sustained a bruised left A.C. joint in Week 4. He missed six quarters and was bothered by that injury until the bye week. Then, he got hurt again.

”Yeah, learning how to stay healthy as a player, it’s an art in a lot of ways,” Kubiak said. ”You’ve got to know how to protect yourself and getting rid of the ball and those type of things. So, hopefully he can improve upon those things. But the good news is it’s not something where he’s missed a lot of time. So, hopefully he’s back here and he can take care of himself throughout the rest of the year.”

The coaching staff last week modified the offense to fit Lynch’s skills and grasp of the playbook, putting him in the shotgun and moving him around. It’s just that his throws were off-target.

”I just think it’s a guy who went out and played in his second start,” Kubiak said. ”I’ve been doing this a long time and seen young players. He’s still a young, raw player.”

Kubiak seemed taken aback by questions this week about Lynch’s long-term future in the NFL.

”Oh God, I think this guy’s got a brilliant career ahead of him,” Kubiak said. ”I’m really excited. We’re asking a lot of him. … He’s a young kid, but I’m excited about some of the things I see and I’m also excited about things I know we can correct that are going to help him out.

”But he’s a hard worker, he’s a good kid. He went in there and protected the ball, which we needed him to do for us to win. Yeah, he can make some more plays. He knows that and I have confidence that he will.”

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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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“As of now, I have no complications with my blood pumper,” Foster said in a statement Friday. “There was a casual conversation with a reporter about my particular condition that turned public. But I have not, nor do I plan to anytime in the near future, have conversations with my doctors about any surgery. I am feeling well and am as exuberant as ever. Love and light to all those concerned!”

The 26-year-old Foster left in the third quarter of Houston’s 23-6 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 23 with an irregular heartbeat. Coach Gary Kubiak said after the game that Foster had also experienced the problem in a practice.

Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012.

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