Ever since the Denver Broncos brought in Peyton Manning in 2012, they have won the AFC West and reached at least the Divisional round of the playoffs each year.
Denver went 12-4 last season – their worst finish in the Manning era – where they suffered key losses, all away from Sports Authority Field. The first came at the hands of Seattle in a Week 3 six-point overtime loss; next was the Patriots in Week 9; that was followed by an inferior Rams team in week 11; a Monday Night Football loss to Cincinnati culminated the road woes.
Denver faces possibly its toughest schedule in the Manning era, with multiple tests both at home and on the road. What will the Broncos regular season record be?
The last team with a perfect regular season was, of course, the 2007 Patriots. Tom Brady and the Pats faced some challengers along the way, but nothing compared to what Denver will be up against this season. Is perfection possible for Denver? It’d be a long shot, but legendary Irv & Joe caller “Bronco Billy” predicts perfection each year, so we’re willing to weigh the possibility.
Even a one-loss season would be a monumental success for Denver, given the fact they have seven – yes SEVEN – playoff teams on their schedule, including the defending world champion Patriots. However, most of the matchups play in Denver’s favor.
They get Baltimore, New England, Green Bay and Cincinnati at home, where they were a perfect 8-0 last year. A 2-1 record at Detroit, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh isn’t outside the realm of possibility. Only the Week 9 tilt with Indy – which follows Green Bay – sets up poorly for the Broncos.
However, there are some landmine games floating out there as well. Denver has owned the AFC West, but Philip Rivers has been a thorn in Denver’s side for nearly a decade now. Could he eke out a win at Mile High like he has done in the past? Could the Broncos sleep on the Browns right before the bye? Or stub their toe against Minnesota or (forbid!) the Raiders?
History says the safe money is on 12-4, Manning’s final win-loss record in five of his 17 NFL seasons, or 13-3 which he’s posted four times including twice in Denver. But with a wild schedule and a Broncos team looking to avenge not one, not two, but three years of major playoff disappointment, anything’s possible.
