With a win on Sunday against the Browns in Cleveland, the Denver Broncos would enter their bye week with an unblemished record of 6-0. It would be the third time since 2009 the team has rattled off six wins without a loss to open the season, having done so that year and again in 2013.
The 2013 Broncos, led by Peyton Manning, finished the season 13-3 and rode one of the most prolific offenses in the history of the NFL to the franchise’s seventh AFC title and the Super Bowl. The team led the league in yards, passing yards and scoring, with Manning setting single-season NFL records in passing yards (5,477) and touchdown passes (55). Save for the epic collapse in Super Bowl XLVIII, it was one of the greatest seasons in franchise (and nearly NFL) history.
2009, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. After starting the year 6-0 under what appeared to be a wunderkind new head coach, Josh McDaniels, the team lost four in a row on their way to an 8-8 season. The year ended with another four-game slide, including a 44-24 beatdown at home at the hands of the Chiefs, who finished 4-12, in the finale. The slide set the stage for what was to come in 2010 – the disastrous season that included “McSpygate” and the unceremonious ouster of McDaniels.
Two 6-0 starts, two vastly different directions.
The 2015 Broncos appear poised to post another 6-0 start. Strangely, however, there are some similarities between both the 2013 and the 2009 teams.
In 2013, Denver had a questionable defense but it’s offense was capable of overpowering nearly every opponent. In 2015, the offense has struggled to find form, but has been buoyed by a defense that has thus far been tops in the league.
In 2009, the team was stout on defense, but by no means world class. The offense, led by Kyle Orton, was serviceable at best. It was a team with obvious flaws that started hot and came crashing down to earth. So far in 2015, Denver has been exposed to have obvious flaws on offense and fans are fearing that things on the defensive side of the ball could crumble at any minute.
So which team is the 2015 incarnation of the Denver Broncos more likely to become? A team that sets franchise and NFL records en route to a Super Bowl, or the one that finishes 8-8 and missed the playoffs? We asked two experts from Mile High Sports AM 1340 for their take.
Eric Goodman of Afternoon Drive says he sees more of the 13-3 team.
Joe Rico of The Final Word says they’re closer to being 8-8.
