Denver ? With another blizzard blanketing the region, the Denver Broncos’ pivotal regular-season finale against San Francisco today in all likelihood will come down to the run game.

Both teams are well equipped to carry the load through the ice and snow – even if it’s going to be difficult for teams and fans alike to get to Invesco Field through the mushy mess.

The Niners (6-9), whose playoff hopes were snuffed last week, have Frank Gore, the NFC’s starting Pro Bowl running back who leads the conference with 1,542 yards and needs just 29 yards to break Garrison Hearst’s single-season franchise rushing record.

Gore also is just 111 yards shy of breaking Hearst’s single-season record of 2,105 total yards from scrimmage, also set in 1998. Though the 49ers are headed to their fourth straight losing season, coach Mike Nolan plans to make sure Gore has every chance to claim both records.

“Whatever the top of the meter would be, I’d like to see him do that, not only for the offensive line, but for the whole team,” Nolan said.

The Broncos (9-6) can reach the playoffs for a franchise-record fourth consecutive year.

The Broncos can also clinch a spot in the postseason if Kansas City loses to Jacksonville earlier in the afternoon.

Denver’s playoff push seemed unlikely after the Broncos lost four straight to fall to 7-6. But behind quarterback Jay Cutler and several other rookies, they’re right back in the thick of the wild-card chase.