DENVER -- After a forgettable four weeks that turned the defending Super Bowl champions into playoff long shots, the Denver Broncos are halfway back to respectability.

	Alfred Williams and Dale Carter had plenty to celebrate in the Broncos' rout of the Packers.

Consecutive victories over Oakland and Green Bay have helped the Broncos (2-4) regain some of the confidence sapped by the 0-4 start. Reservations for the Super Bowl in Atlanta, however, remain presumptuous.

"We still feel that our backs are against the wall," defensive end Harald Hasselbach said Monday. "We dug a deep hole, and we're trying to scratch our way out. We're not out yet. We're coming back, and we're getting stronger."

Denver took a major step Sunday against the Packers, who entered the game with the NFL's top offense but dropped to sixth after gaining only 133 total yards against the Broncos.

The dominating performance was hardly indicative of a team deemed to be "finished" after the first four games.

"Since I've been here, turmoil seems to just do good things for this team," defensive end Alfred Williams said. "You hate to resort to turmoil. I wish we would have had turmoil in the preseason, so we could have got off to a great start."

Inexplicably, the Broncos are 2-0 since MVP running back Terrell Davis' season-ending knee injury and 1-0 since All-Pro tight end Shannon Sharpe broke his left collarbone.

Their respective replacements, rookie Olandis Gary and Byron Chamberlain accounted for 247 of Denver's 514 yards Sunday.

"These guys around here seem to be gritty, and I like that," Williams said. "I like that a bunch. It's one thing to have talent, but it's another thing to have people with talent wanting to play hard."

Elevated from third-string to starter in a matter of three days, Gary has caused a running back controversy. Derek Loville, Davis' original backup, has not played the past two weeks because of a strained hamstring.

Loville might return to practice Wednesday, but there is no guarantee he will start Sunday at New England (4-2).

The same goes for quarterback Bubby Brister, who was demoted in preseason and then promoted after Brian Griese struggled through the first four weeks. A muscle strain prevented Brister from taking over the offense, and Griese has led Denver to two consecutive victories.

While reluctant to name his starting quarterback Monday, coach Mike Shanahan made one thing clear. Sentiment will not play a factor in his decision.

"I can't worry about everybody's feelings," Shanahan said. "I've got to do what I think is best for the football team. If they can't live with those decisions, then they tell me, and I'll let them go to another team."

Shanahan said he will name a starting quarterback and running back Wednesday. His decision will be easier if Brister and Loville are still hampered by injuries.

"I'm not a proponent of anyone losing their job because of injury," said Gary, who had 124 yards on 37 carries against the Packers. "I still have a lot to learn, and I still want to learn from Derek."