Virtually no one can figure out which side of the Broncos will emerge each week.

Their split personality isn't as simple as home or road - they're seemingly better away from Invesco Field at Mile High, actually - or playing a good team vs. an NFL lesser-light, though those patterns have emerged at times.

They can look pitiful one week, powerful the next.

They can turn over the ball, then appear sure-handed - in a driving rain, no less.

And through all the postgame self-examinations, Denver currently can look in the mirror and see clearly what stands before it: a possible AFC West title.

The Broncos would earn that designation outright if San Diego were to lose to Oakland on Thursday and Denver were to defeat Kansas City on Sunday.

"We're a resilient bunch," middle linebacker Spencer Larsen said with a smile after his team improved to 7-5 with a thorough performance against the heavily favored Jets. "I'd hate to be the guy that has to predict the spread for us, because we're a difficult bunch to deal with. But when we execute our game plan, I think we're a tough group."

The Broncos (7-5) are even beyond difficult to figure.

Consider that within the past three weeks, Denver went to Atlanta and defeated a Falcons team battling for the NFC South title then came home and promptly played one of its worst games of the season, losing by 21 points against Oakland, a team it had dominated in Week 1.

So, of course, the Broncos' response would be to knock off a Jets team being touted as perhaps the class of the AFC and that was brimming with confidence after five straight wins, including one against then-

undefeated Tennessee and another at New England.

"When we're coming off a bad game, we play good," theorized Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who is likely to return this week from a groin injury. "But the thing is, we can't make up our minds to play after a bad game. We've got to learn how to handle success and build off that."

The Broncos handled business in that fashion during their 3-0 season start.

A clunker followed at Kansas City, setting up a bevy of capricious contests. Three losses in four games followed before a

second-half rally seemingly out of nowhere at Cleveland on Nov. 6 pulled Denver out of the abyss.

It seemed to reinvigorate Denver, but only long enough to be brought down to earth in the Raiders debacle and back up again against the Jets.

"I guess we play better against the upper-echelon teams, the top teams," said cornerback Dre Bly, alluding to Denver wins against the Jets (8-4), Tampa Bay (9-3), New Orleans (6-6) and Atlanta (8-4). "We have to find a way to play more balanced and be good when it doesn't mean anything to the other team, because that's basically what it's been with Oakland and Kansas City."

Against the Jets, the Broncos "did all the things a team's got to do" to prevail, said Jim Goodman, Denver's vice president of pro personnel.

Quarterback Jay Cutler cut through the wind and rain for 357 passing yards. Running back Peyton Hillis bashed through and around tacklers for the team's second individual 100-yard rushing game. Denver's defense stopped two critical fourth-down plays, scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery and, except for two long scoring runs by Thomas Jones, kept big Jets plays to a minimum.

"We've got a young team that fights hard to focus," Goodman said. "But that's part of going together and gelling as a team. They're learning to fight together."

Yet, given recent events, including a three-game home losing streak, it's difficult for the Broncos to feel completely confident heading into the rematch with the Chiefs, even though motivation shouldn't be an issue. Kansas City (2-10) ran for 257 yards in its 33-19 win over Denver on Sept. 28 at Arrowhead Stadium.

"I think our guys will stay focused and will learn," Goodman predicted. "They'll prepare the week and come out and play hard."

Cutler chalked up Denver's instability to the generally "crazy" nature of the NFL from week to week. He might be right, considering the Broncos were one of 11 road teams to prevail in Week 13.

What is fairly straightforward, however, is that when Denver plays even or has an advantage in the turnover battle, it wins.

The Broncos improved to 6-0 in such situations Sunday. But just try to predict how that one's going to go. Even Las Vegas can't seem to get a handle on Denver, which at one stage this season lost against the point spread six straight weeks.

"That's why you can't play Football on paper," defensive end Elvis Dumervil said. "You've got to play it between the white lines. This is a great example of that. We've got to take care of business at home. Once we do that, I think we're going to be all right."

INFOBOX

2 sides of same coin

A look at some key Broncos statistics in their seven wins and five losses:

* Offense in victories Total Avg.
Points 222 31.7

Third down 37-79 46.8%

Net yards 3,009 429.9

Rushing yards 871 124.4

Passing yards 2,138 305.4

Turnovers 6 0.9

* Offense in losses Total Avg.
Points 70 14.0

Third down 33-72 45.8%

Yards 1,682 336.4

Rush 460 92.0

Passing yards 1,222 244.4

Turnovers 17 3.4

* Defense in victories Total Avg.
Points allowed 164 23.4

Third down 42-94 44.7%

Total yards 2,718 388.3

Rush 873 124.7

Passing 1,845 263.6

Takeaways 8 1.1

* Defense in losses Total Avg.
Points allowed 155 31.0

Third down 27-65 41.5%

Total yards 1,849 369.8

Rushing yards 858 171.6

Passing yards 991 198.2

Takeaways 4 0.8