" Starter: Jay Cutler.

Backups: Patrick Ramsey, Darrell Hackney.

The lowdown: It is Cutler’s offense — his team — and to return to the postseason the Broncos need the third-year quarterback to make another jump on his career curve. They have worked with him to see — and use — the underneath routes more, to take the short completions when they are there and to believe that more big plays will follow as defenses are forced to adjust to his patience.

Good to know: In the last two months of the season, a video review shows Cutler both completed and attempted more passes to his right than to his left or in the middle of the field."