On Sunday, Denver Post reporter Mike Klis explored the upcoming battle between Broncos quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.

Klis notes that the last time the Broncos were in the playoffs, led by QB Jake Plummer in 2005, so were Orton and Simms. Both led their respective teams — the Bears and Buccaneers — to the playoffs, but Orton never got the chance to build on that accomplishment, writes Klis.

The difference between Orton and the other two is that he didn’t get rewarded for his accomplishment. After posting a 10-5 record for the Chicago Bears as a rookie starter in 2005, he was replaced by Rex Grossman for the playoffs. Orton remained on the bench until he beat out Grossman for the job late in the 2007 season.

Klis predicts Orton will emerge from the upcoming competition as Denver’s starter come Week 1.

Make no mistake, the quarterback job is Orton’s to lose. The Broncos may be paying Simms more money, but it’s been too long since he took a meaningful snap to believe he is viewed on par with Orton to take the first snap in the season-opening game.