The Broncos are the center of attention in the NFL right now.

In the span of two days, they signed a Super Bowl champion and 4-time MVP quarterback and traded a young quarterback whose popularity easily outpaces his productivity.

What a start to the offseason.

The 2011 season was hardly as conventional as the Broncos’ 8-8 record might indicate. It was a season of ups and downs. It was a season during which the unexpected became the routine. And it was a season that leaves fans eager for 2012.

Through all of the drama, the Broncos definitely took steps forward in their efforts to build a championship contender. No doubt, it is a process. The Broncos are one step farther along in that process.

Several things stand out from the Broncos’ 2011 season.

The Denver Broncos are right where they want to be. They are in the playoffs but still not picked to do too much.

“We love being underdogs,” linebacker Joe Mays said on Tuesday. “There’s no pressure. We just get going and play our style of football and just try to prove everybody wrong like we’ve been doing all year.”

I can’t imagine there are too many people outside of the Rocky Mountain region that are seriously going to pick the Broncos to defeat the Patriots. There are likely quite a few people in the region that will take the Patriots, even though those people might very well being pulling for the Broncos to spring an upset.

If the Broncos consider themselves a team worthy of making the playoffs, they will have the chance to prove it Sunday when they host the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Broncos win, they will capture the AFC West title, amazing as that may be.

If the Broncos lose, then they’ll have to hope the Chargers defeat the Raiders. If that happens, the Broncos will still win the division and advance to the playoffs.

But they don’t want to back in. They want to go in having taken care of their business.

They have the opportunity to do just that.