After two weeks of NFL action, the Denver Broncos sit tied with the Kansas City Chiefs at 2-0.  While the games haven’t been pretty at all times, the Broncos have shown heart and grit and mustered out two fourth quarter comebacks to get them to where they are sitting today.  Defensive miscues, poor ball management, and untimely turnovers have plagued the Broncos early in the 2018 campaign, however, they have found a way to win, no matter what.

The opponents that the Broncos faced in weeks 1 and 2 are both sitting at 0-2.  Denver could very easily be sitting at 0-2.  After a 3 interception effort by QB Case Keenum against the Seahawks and then the lethargic start against the Raiders, Denver is fortunate to be 2-0.

The next two weeks will show us exactly where the Broncos are, offensively and defensively.  This week, Denver will have its first road test against a very good defense in the Baltimore Ravens.  The Broncos are 1-5 alltime against the Ravens in Baltimore which shows that it is a very difficult place to play.  The Ravens fans are loud and the team feeds off of the energy unlike anywhere else I have personally been.  Getting off to a fast start against the Ravens will be an important factor to winning this game.  If the Broncos get off to a slow start against the Ravens like they did against the Raiders, I don’t see the Ravens defense allowing the Broncos to get back into the ballgame.  The other huge factor in this game will be containing the two tight end sets that the Ravens are going to show Denver.  Denver hasn’t been able to stop teams running 1 TE formations, so stopping 2 of them could be a tough task.  The Broncos will need to take advantage of the Ravens porous O-Line and make Joe Flacco miserable.

Following this very difficult road game with the Ravens, the Broncos will return home for a primetime game against the super potent Kansas City Chiefs.  The Chiefs (2-0) are the hottest offense in football right now.  Pat Mahomes is playing out of his mind, setting NFL records all while taking names and kicking butt.  The defense will have to fix the sloppiness that plagued them throughout the entire first half of the Raiders game last week.  If Mahomes has time, he will put a lot of points on the board.

These next two weeks are going to be a lot of fun.  If Denver escapes both games with victories, then Denver will be talked about as the favorite to win the AFC West.

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Good morning, Bronco fans!  It is week 2 in the NFL as the Oakland Raiders come into town to take on our Denver Broncos.  Oakland (0-1) is coming off an embarrassing week 1 loss at the hands of the L.A. Rams by a score of 33-10.  The Raiders went into halftime with a 13-10 lead, then allowed 23 unanswered points in the second half.  Oakland QB Derek Carr completed 72% of his passes, however, he did not throw a touchdown and threw 3 interceptions.  The star of the game was TE Jared Cook, who raked in 9 catches for 180 yards.

Denver (1-0) comes into week 2 with their 2nd consecutive home game and will look to remain undefeated in this young season.  QB Case Keenum’s Bronco debut was a bit of a roller coaster ride.  The interceptions reminded us all of last year, but precision strikes in other times in the game gave us a glimpse of what our offense is capable of doing.  Keenum, who threw 3 interceptions, also connected on 3 touchdown passes and threw for over 300 yards.  Rookie RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce  Freeman both saw success in their NFL debuts as both runners gained 71 yards on 15 rushing attempts.  Lindsay was also involved in the passing game as he reeled in 2 catches for 31 yards including an impressive 29 yard touchdown as he simply blew by everyone down the sideline.  WR Emmanuel Sanders found pay dirt for the first time in a long time, having a very impressive game with 135 receiving yards on 10 receptions.

The Denver defense gave fans a lot of reasons to be excited and optimistic about this season, as they were the biggest impact on the outcome of the game last week against Seattle.  LB Von Miller is already making his case for Defensive Player of The Year as he annihilated the Seattle offensive line all game long.  Miller’s stat line was simply ridiculous; 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovered.  The Broncos defense got to QB Russell Wilson early and often as they racked up 6 sacks against the elusive Wilson.  Newly acquired CB Adam “Pac-Man” Jones proved that he can still help teams win on defense and special teams.

Keys to Victory

1. Contain the Tight End.  Seattle TE Will Dissly only caught three passes, but he did damage when he had the ball in his hands.  He gained 105 receiving yards including 66 yard touchdown reception where he made the Broncos defense look bush league, and it was his first NFL game.  Oakland’s TE is more dangerous and I would expect Derek Carr to look for Jared Cook all game long.  The middle linebackers will need to contain Cook and make him pay anytime the ball touches his hands.
2. I said it last week and until we clean it up, it needs to be a point of emphasis.  Keenum has to protect the football.  It is very hard to win games when you throw 3 interceptions.  Case must avoid throwing interceptions at all costs.
3. QB Derek Carr has a very quick release.  It will be difficult to sack Carr, so the secondary needs to be on their A game.  Denver DBs need to press the receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt the timing of the receiver’s routes.  Linebackers will need to be ready to protect the middle of the field on quick inside slant routes.
4. Keep feeding the rookie running backs.  Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay need to get involved in the game quickly to establish the running game.  With the various weapons at Keenum’s disposal, the Oakland secondary will need to respect the passing game of the Broncos.  This should open up some holes for the running backs to get through.
5. Denver must be more efficient on third down than they were a week ago against Seattle.  Denver only converted 4 of 12 3rd down opportunities in Week 1.  If Denver can capitalize on 3rd down and keep Oakland’s defense on the field, it is going to be a long day at Mile High for the Raiders.

The Broncos are off to a decent start and I expect them to continue strong this week.  Being at home is a huge advantage against any opponent and the Raiders look to be in meltdown mode already.  Let’s make a statement this week and carry that momentum into next week’s road match-up  with the Baltimore Ravens.

Final Score Prediction

Oakland Raiders – 17

Denver Broncos – 27

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Good morning, Bronco fans!  It is time for real NFL football.  After a dismal 5-11 season last year, the revamped Broncos look to get back to their winning culture with a new leader at the helm.  With the addition of QB, Case Keenum and several play-making rookies, I can see these Broncos returning to the playoffs, but the road ahead won’t be very easy.  Although Denver has the “5th easiest schedule”, one simple injury can change the complexity of everything.

Let’s take a look at the visiting Seattle Seahawks:

Veteran QB Russell Wilson is a very dangerous quarterback both inside and outside of the pocket.  He has the ability to extend plays and keep defenses off balance.  Containing Wilson will be the #1 key to victory for Denver today.

The Legion of Boom is no where near what it used to be.  A starting CB was just placed on IR.  Marshawn Lynch is a Raider.

Russell still has weapons at his disposal, but this team is nothing like the team who laid the smack-down on us in the SuperBowl a few years back.

Now, the Broncos have done a lot of work on the off season to attempt to make this a winning team.  The addition of Bradley Chubb on the defense should reap immediate rewards.  RB Royce Freeman will make a statement today and Case Keenum to Cortland Sutton, Emmanuel Sanders, and Demaryius Thomas should be a lot of fun to watch all season long.

5 Keys to Victory

• As stated earlier, the Broncos must contain Russell Wilson and stay with their assignment.  Miller and Chubb will have to get to him in a hurry and ensure they have containment all game long.  If Wilson has time inside and outside of the pocket, this will be a long day for Denver.
• Establish the run and don’t quit.  It may look ugly at times, but we cannot abandon the run.  Trust in the rookie running back, and continue to feed him the rock.  A big, game changing run is going to come when they least expect it.
• Protect the football.  After the carousel of quarterbacks last year who seemed to like to throw it to the wrong guys, we now need Keenum to play smart and throw to the guys wearing the same logo.  If we can play turnover free football, the defense will make sure we are in a place to win ballgames.  Protect the ball, Kase.
• Get the wide receivers involved early.  All of them.  Early.  Literally.  Early.  LOL.  Thomas, Sanders and Sutton are going to be very difficult to cover.  They won’t be able to cheat and double all three of them.  Get those three boys going early and keep going to them often.  I see a mega bomb to Sutton early to set the tone and open up the running game.
• Play-action football.  If we can run the ball well, and can hit with a few deep balls, keep the Seahawks at bay with running play-action plays.  Getting into a rhythm early will be key to this, so we have to get a fast start.  If we do, its going to be a long day for Seattle in the Mile High.

Final Score Prediction

Seattle Seahawks: 17

Denver Broncos: 31

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Hey there, Bronco fans!  The new season is upon us and looks very promising.  After a 5-11 debacle last year, this revamped Broncos team looks poised and ready to return to the winning culture that we have all gotten used to.  Now, while I normally only write prediction articles prior to each game, I decided to give it a shot, all up front.  I will still predict the exact outcome of each game weekly, but thought you’d like to know the future of your Broncos now, rather than later.  Warning: Spoiler Alert!!

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Game 1
Seattle Seahawks

With a revamped O-Line, Russell Wilson should have time to make plays.  No Fly Zone 2.0 should be up to the task.  Denver’s revamped offense gets its first opportunity to showcase their new QB, Case Keenum and rookie RB, Royce Freeman.  The Legion of Boom is a faint memory.  Denver wins at home.

1-0

Game 2
Oakland Raiders

The Raiders just lost their best defensive player in a trade with the Chicago Bears.  With Khalil Mack, who can single-handedly disrupt the flow of a game, the Raiders would have a chance.  Without him, I don’t see it happening.  Too many uncertainties for the Raiders.  Denver gets off to the fast start that they needed and head to Baltimore undefeated after 2.

2-0

Game 3
@ Baltimore Ravens

If we lose this game, I will cry.  Born and raised here in Baltimore, but can’t stand them.  I should be at that game as well, so they really better get that W.  Does QB Joe Flacco have a bounce back season, or will it be the same check down Joe that we have all come to know and love?  I’ll assume the latter, and Denver escapes Baltimore with a game winning FG as time expires.

3-0

Game 4
Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith out, Pat Mahomes in.  Denver got a taste of Mahomes when he made his NFL debut last season in Week 17.  They came into Denver and won with a rookie QB.  Obviously, the Denver Defense had completely quit by this point, and we all know what our QB situation was.  I like the momentum Denver has out of the gates and they handle business at home.

4-0

Game 5
@ NY Jets

Trap Game #1.  Rookie QB.  Who is he even throwing the ball to?  This has sloppy Denver game written all over it.  Denver embarrasses themselves on the road.

4-1

Game 6
LA Rams

This team is overflowing with talent and has my favorite coach in the NFL.  This would be nearly impossible to win on the road, and damn near just as hard to win at home.  Denver loses their 2nd in a row.

4-2

Game 7
@Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals should be coming off of back to back losses to the 49ers and Vikings, respectively, and will be eager to get the win at home.  Same Bradford will be running for his life with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb coming from either side.  Denver bounces back from the home loss to the Rams and gets back in the win column.

5-2

Game 8
@ Kansas City Chiefs

Arrowhead is the hardest place to play in the NFL.  ‘Nough said.  Denver loses on the road.

5-3

Game 9

Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller.  Meet Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.  I expect this to be a tough, gritty game, but ultimately the elements and altitude get the best of the visiting Texans.  Denver reaches their 2017 win total in just 9 games.

6-3

Game 10
@ LA Chargers

The Chargers defense will be a force to reckon with and Rivers is poised to have a huge year with many dangerous weapons at his disposal.  After a gritty, hard fought win against the Texans, the Broncos run out of gas and fall to the Chargers on the road.

6-4

Game 11
Pittsburgh Steelers

The Killer Bees come to Denver.  They have a stretch where they have to play the Ravens, Panthers, Jaguars (on the road) and then come to Denver.  Pittsburgh will either be in the driver seat in their division, or they will be licking their wounds heading down the final stretch.  That’s a brutal 4 game schedule and a road game in Denver in November could spell disaster for Big Ben and Company.

7-4

Game 12
@Cincinnati Bengals

The doormat of the AFC North.  Cleveland wins more games than Cincinnati.  Denver handles business on the road with ease.

8-4

Game 13
@SF 49ers

Jimmy G should be well into his groove at this point in the season.  Barring injury, he should be just as good, if not better than lat year.  This is a tough game to win on the road, and the 49ers do just enough to hold on even though Denver produces a late game surge.

8-5

Game 14
Cleveland Browns

Out of the basement, but not quite into relevancy.  If Baker Mayfield is playing at this point, I may change my mind when I write this particular game article, but as for now, this is an easy win for Denver.  Don’t get stuck in the trap.

9-5

Game 15
@Oakland Raiders

The Raiders will make it interesting, but at this point in the season, they are on the outside looking in with no path to the playoffs.  Chucky is on the hot seat and the team self implodes.  Denver wins with a chance to win the division at home in the final week of the season.

10-5

Game 16
LA Chargers

I have not looked at the Chargers schedule in depth just yet, but my magic crystal ball says Denver and L.A. are tied heading into the final game of the season.  After losing to the Chargers on the road earlier in the season, Denver pulls it off late and clinches the division.  The Chargers settle for an AFC Wild Card.

11-5

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