Hooray! The full NFL schedule is here.
Tuesday was a mini-holiday for most pro football fans. The NFL schedule represents the road map for the sporting calendar. Fans start circling games against rivals, planning BBQs, picking home games to attend and debating road games that’d make for great trips. It’s wonderful.
As a fan, the release of the NFL schedule marks the beginning of a New Year. It’s experiencing the enthusiasm, the optimism; it’s a clean slate. The NFL rejuvenates everyone.
It’s tough to predict the win totals of an NFL team in April. That said, after combing over Denver’s schedule, here are five gut reactions:
1. The opener
Denver got the best of both worlds in hosting Baltimore in the season opener. First, the game isn’t a primetime matchup; it’ll be played at 2:25pm on a Sunday afternoon. This is the first time in the Peyton Manning era that Denver won’t open the season in primetime; staying under the radar is a welcomed change.
Second, the Broncos get a chance to tackle one of their toughest opponents early. Manning is notoriously a fast starter; he’s 12-4 in season openers, getting a win against a 2014 playoff team is the perfect way for Denver to start the season.
2. Early Thursday night game
Denver opens the season on September 13, and then plays in Kansas City four days later on September 17. Getting only three days of rest between games one and two isn’t ideal, but Denver gets their road game against the Chiefs out of the way early. Traveling to Arrowhead late in the year has always been Denver’s kryptonite, so a trip to Kansas City in September is a win-win.
3. The bye week
Last season, the Broncos were the unfortunate recipients of a Week 4 bye; this year, they landed time off in Week 7. Having to navigate 13 straight games in the NFL is extremely taxing and Denver wore the effects of that at the end of last year. Essentially splitting the season into relatively equal halves will allow Denver to rest and refocus. Plus, Manning, Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips will get two weeks to prepare for the mighty Packers in Week 8.
4. The revenge game
John Fox is a quitter. Last season, he quit on his team and this town and let his top two assistants do the same. Fox’s actions at the end of last season are unforgivable. Every Broncos fan should have November 22nd circled on their calendar because that’s when Manning and Company will march into Chicago and beat up on Fox’s pitiful Bears squad. I’m planning on attending the game, so I can spend three hours booing Fox.
5. Finishing at home
After only playing two home game the first two months of the season, Denver finishes with three of their last four at home. Finishing the season in the comfort of their own town is a highly underrated benefit for Denver and Manning. Entering the playoffs not having traveled for three weeks (if they get a first-round bye) sets Denver up nicely for a deep run.
All in all, the Broncos schedule sets up nicely. They have a middle of the season bye, they get a ton of road games out of the way early (four of their six are on the road), the New England game is here, the backend of the schedule is loaded with home games and their Thursday game is early in the season. This doesn’t make Denver’s schedule easy by any means, just favorable. Opponent-wise the Broncos will be tested early and often, which makes their fortunate layout a blessing in disguise.
