Quoteworthy

"The only thing I know is that we are in a position now that if we win (out), we are guaranteed a playoff spot. I think that's the way our team approaches it."

- Denver coach Mike Shanahan

Five questions

1. How can the Broncos top the past two weeks?

First, Brian Griese's arm almost falls off, but he leads the team to a Monday night win over the Raiders. Then Gus Frerotte has the wildest day ever for a Denver quarterback, turning five turnovers and five touchdowns into a 38-37 win over San Diego. Maybe today, Jarious Jackson will enter the game, get decapitated, have his head surgically replaced and throw seven second-half touchdowns to lead Denver to a 56-55 win. "That would be lovely," Jackson said, open to the idea while becoming the first football player since 1954 to use "lovely" in a sentence.

2. What is wrong with Terrell Davis?

If you know, please call coach Mike Shanahan at 1-800-NO CLUE. No one is suggesting that Davis' pain is all in his head, and not left leg, but the country's best doctors can't find anything wrong. Shanahan said that the good news is that they've ruled out anything seriously wrong. Really? How do they know?

3. Who will run wildly through Denver's secondary?

The most likely candidate to make the Broncos defensive backs look silly is Sean Dawkins, but these things are tough to predict. The Broncos don't play favorites. Denver will certainly bring plenty of pressure on young Seattle quarterback Brock Huard, Damon's brother but no relation to Dieter Brock, Kelly LeBrock or Brock Middlebrook.

4. How's that search for a No. 3 receiver coming?

The Broncos might as well save themselves some roster spots by getting rid of all receivers not named Smith and McCaffrey. Those two have combined for 149 receptions, 2,193 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. The only other wide receiver on the roster with any receptions is Travis McGriff, with two. Little help over here?

5. Let's say the Broncos lose. Then what?

Funny how every game is a must-win, and then the next game takes on even more importance. That's a good sign, games getting more important rather than less important, as the Seahawks can attest. Denver is one of five teams, each with four losses (Baltimore, Indianapolis, Buffalo and the Jets are the others), fighting for three wild-card spots. Don't believe them when they say they aren't scoreboard watching.

Injury update

Denver Broncos receiver Scottie Montgomery strained a knee ligament Friday during a noncontact practice session.

Coach Mike Shanahan said he didn't immediately know the extent of the injury.

"It's a medial collateral," Shanahan said. "I don't know how serious it is right now. He went down and it looked quite sore. We'll keep our fingers crossed."

Montgomery, signed by the Broncos after veteran Robert Brooks was released two weeks ago, was on the active roster for Sunday's victory over San Diego, though he hasn't played in a game.

The Broncos activated cornerback Jason Suttle from the practice squad to provide depth at the position after Ray Crockett sustained a slightly torn hamstring last week against the Chargers.

He is expected to be out for four weeks.

Shanahan said Crockett, defensive tackle Jerry Johnson, receiver Chafie Fields and guard Richard Mercier will be inactive for Sunday's game.

Comfortably numbers

11-13 Denver's lifetime record in Seattle. The Broncos are 18-4 against the Seahawks in Denver

2 (in 3) Meetings between the Broncos and Seahawks over the next three Sundays

2 Rank of Denver's passing offense, among 31 NFL teams

30 Rank of Seattle's passing defense, among 31 NFL teams

13 Reception yards needed for Rod Smith to break Steve Watson's '81 season record of 1,244

Springs is in the air

Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs faces the Broncos' prolific tandem of Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey.

"They got a big, tall receiver in Ed McCaffrey, and they got a Rod Smith, who is a smaller, quicker guy who breaks runs after he makes a catch," Springs said. "You know you have to come to play when you play Denver."

The final word

Denver 26

Seattle 12

The Broncos have historically struggled in Seattle. But the Kingdome is gone, the Seahawks can't stop the run or the pass, and their quarterback has never won a game. Sounds like a setup, doesn't it?

- John Branch The Gazette

Injury report

DENVER

OUT: CB Ray Crockett (hamstring); QB Brian Griese (shoulder).

DOUBTFUL: RB Terrell Davis (leg).

QUESTIONABLE: WR Scottie Montgomery (groin).

PROBABLE: TE Byron Chamberlain (Achilles); DE Kavika Pittman (ankle); RB Detron Smith (thumb); LB Al Wilson (groin).

SEATTLE

Reports no new injuries.

Tears of joy

SEATTLE - After passing for a franchise-record 462 yards for the Denver Broncos last week, Gus Frerotte unashamedly wept tears of joy.

Why not? Even the great John Elway couldn't do that for the Broncos.

"It was real emotional for me and a lot of the guys on the team," Frerotte said. "I consider myself a starter in this league and it's nice to get back out there and get under fire."

Frerotte will make his second straight start in place of injured Brian Griese today when the Broncos (7-4) face the Seattle Seahawks (4-7).

Frerotte brought Denver back from deficits of 27-10, 34-17 and 37- 24 against San Diego.

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