Although a huge digital clock on the wall outside the Broncos locker room precisely counts down the days, hours and seconds until kickoff against Kansas City, it cannot begin to measure the urgency receiver Courtland Sutton feels for beating the Chiefs.

Sutton joined the NFL ranks on the final Friday of April 2018 as a second-round pick by the Broncos, and has been chasing a berth in the playoffs since he turned pro.

That’s 2,438 days.

And counting.

That’s the most concise and graphic measure of how desperate Sutton is to make the playoffs.

To be certain of ending his personal playoff drought, the Broncos must win Sunday against Kansas City, which has beaten Denver in 17 of the 18 most recent meetings between AFC West division rivals.

“We’ve got to win the game. It’s simple. There’s nothing else that goes into it. We’ve got to win the game,” Sutton said Wednesday. “People say it’s never black and white. Well, it’s black and white. We’ve got to win the game. And that’s as simple as it gets.”

In many ways, Sutton’s seventh season with Denver has been his most rewarding as a pro. His 76 catches are a personal best. And with 17 receiving yards against Kansas City, he will surpass the 1,000-yard milestone for only the second time since entering the NFL.

At this time a year ago, it was less than certain that coach Sean Payton regarded Sutton as a foundational piece in his rebuilding plan for the franchise.

Now, Sutton appears essential to the further development of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

In his 98th game as a pro, Sutton has a chance to nail down a playoff appearance for the first time.

“It means a lot to be in this situation, to be playing meaningful games in December (and January), and to have this opportunity: last game of the season, divisional game, at home, with a chance to go to the playoffs,” Sutton said.

“Yeah, you could say that it would’ve been nice to go into this game and have your (playoff) position locked in. But in terms of a storybook theme, you couldn’t really write it up any better. I think this is the best opportunity we could have to go and solidify why we deserve to be in the dance.”

This edition of the Broncos has tried and failed to earn its 10th victory, which would ensure the franchise’s first playoff berth since the 2015 season, in two consecutive games, both highly competitive but ultimately frustrating.

After the gut-wrenching 30-24 loss in Cincinnati last weekend, the Denver media gathered around receiver Marvin Mims Jr., whose two touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter sent the contest to overtime.

On the edge of the circle of cameras and cellphones recording the thoughts of Mims, Sutton sat in silence, staring straight ahead.

There’s no more margin of error for Denver.

And Sutton knows it.

He also is well aware the Chiefs, who have clinched AFC’s top seed, are planning to sit quarterback Patrick Mahomes and key players against Denver.

But don’t even suggest to Sutton that beating Kansas City’s B team would in any way, shape or form diminish the Broncos’ achievement of making the playoffs.

Who will be in the Chiefs huddle in Empower Field at Mile High?

“We don’t care. We have to play the game to win. That’s all that matters. We don’t care about none of that other stuff,” Sutton said.

“Whoever has on shoulder pads and is wearing red, white and yellow, we have to beat them boys. We don’t care who shows up and plays, who does play, who doesn’t play. We don’t care about any of that. The Broncos have to show up Sunday and win the game.”

When you’re Sutton, your next birthday will be your 30th and you’ve never been to the NFL playoffs, there is no try.

All that matters now for the Broncos is do or do not.

Nobody will ask how if they win against K.C.

But if the Broncos do not?

It will be a long, cold winter of regret.