--CB Champ Bailey could return this week. The Broncos haven't rushed him and it has paid off, as they have built a big lead in the AFC West. Bailey is close to being fully healthy.

--LB Wesley Woodyard led the Broncos with 10 tackles against the Jets. He has played very well, but the problem is the Broncos don't have any obvious spot for him in the defense when D.J. Williams returns. Williams and Woodyard both play weakside linebacker.

--LB Mario Haggan played a lot of the game against the Jets at middle linebacker, and he had a sack on a fourth-down scramble by Brett Favre. Haggan has been splitting time the past couple of games at middle linebacker with Spencer Larsen, who has a hip injury.

--RB Peyton Hillis was banged up after carrying the load against the Jets. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Hillis was sore everywhere but should be fine for this week's game against Kansas City.

--DT Josh Shaw has a dislocated elbow and will miss some time. He had been a part of Denver's defensive tackle rotation and had been doing a solid job lately. He's likely to be replaced by Nic Clemons.

REPORT CARD VS. JETS

PASSING OFFENSE: A -- Jay Cutler was so good in bad conditions, even a horrible decision on a third-quarter interception into the end zone can't change the grade. Cutler was sharp, spreading the ball around to seven receivers in steady rain. When the Jets doubled the receivers, he hit the tight ends repeatedly. When he had chances, he hit Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley for long touchdowns. He finished with 357 yards.

RUSHING OFFENSE: A -- Against the third-ranked rushing offense in the NFL, Broncos TB Peyton Hillis had 129 yards. The Broncos didn't mind running up the middle, where Jets DT Kris Jenkins has stopped so many other foes. Hillis made decisive cuts and showed a good burst for a player who spent his college career and the first half of his NFL rookie season at fullback.

PASS DEFENSE: B -- The Broncos flustered Brett Favre, who unlike Cutler, appeared affected by bad conditions. Denver got an interception and a couple of sacks. Most of what the Broncos gave up was underneath or on screen passes, not allowing any big plays.

RUSH DEFENSE: C -- Thomas Jones had 138 yards against the Broncos. He busted touchdowns of 59 and 29 yards, but other than that, Denver had a decent day against New York's power rushing game. And what can't be forgotten is the Broncos are still down five defensive starters because of injuries.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C -- The Broncos allowed Leon Washington some good returns, but none that turned the game in the Jets' favor. Matt Prater showed signs of getting back in the groove, hitting both of his field goals. Denver didn't have any big special teams plays, but avoiding any mistakes was also a key.

COACHING: A -- There's no way to explain the Broncos losing by three touchdowns at home to Oakland, when the games before and after that they beat winning teams on the road (the Falcons and Jets). But Denver's coaches were able to get the team to refocus quickly after a bad loss. The coaching staff also deserves credit for knowing Cutler could function well in bad conditions and not changing the game plan at all because of the rain. The Broncos played well the entire game and came out with an impressive victory.