Sorry, Raider Nation, but Here's How the Denver Broncos Will Win the AFC West

Last night, while sitting with my roommate, I noticed he had a wallet-sized fold-out Broncos schedule, so I made sure to give it the once-over.

This schedule is deceivingly difficult, as it starts and ends with relatively easy opponents, but the meat of the regular season is chock-full of perennial contenders in the NFL.

For any team, this would be an extremely challenging schedule, but for an organization that has had as much turnover as Denver, this lineup of challengers will be demanding to win against, to say the least.

Preseason

In reality, preseason games do not count for much, besides, of course, narrowing down a team’s roster. This year is different for Denver, as there are so many new players and coaches, with new schemes and philosophies.

The biggest questions are: Will Kyle Orton pan out as a solid starter, or will he throw too many picks and get lost in Josh McDaniels’ offense? Can Brandon Marshall just shut up and play, or will he be suspended/traded?

How much can the defense improve, and how will the 3-4 scheme work in Denver? Can Denver’s coaching staff, which includes McDaniels and former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, show they can lead, or fail miserably?

Some of these questions will be answered in the preseason, although most will be answered in November and December.

The biggest game of the preseason is the Aug. 30 game against the Chicago Bears, the new destination for ex-Broncos QB Jay Cutler. The third contest of the preseason is the most meaningful because it’s against Cutler, and it will be the game where starters play the most before the regular season begins.

It is scheduled to appear on NBC Sunday Night Football on Aug. 30, with the consummate professional Al Michaels and the highly annoying Randy Cross.

When all is said and done, the Broncos will be 4-0 after the preseason, giving the team confidence going into the regular section.

Sept. 13, at Cincinnati, 11:00 AM (MST)

The Bengals were more like the “Bungles” once again in 2008, as they went a horrible 4-11-1. Chad Ochocinco is the best player on this team, followed by Carson Palmer, and Roy Williams from the defensive side.

Knowshon Moreno will have a huge day against Cincinnati, as he shows why McDaniels took him instead of a defender in the first round of the draft.

While Cincy’s offense may put up some points on Denver, their defense will be unable to slow down the Broncos O, and Denver will win the game 31-20.

Sept. 20, vs. Cleveland, 2:15 PM

Cleveland, like the Bengals, are a pretty sorry team, although not as bad as their fellow Ohioan team.

The major difference between Cleveland and Cincy is that the Browns have Eric Mangini at head coach, fresh off his firing from the New York Jets, even though he had two winning seasons out of three there.

The Browns, though, with their QB controversy between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, and their 4-12 finish in 2008, look to pose little challenge to the Broncos in 2009.

Orton throws a pair of touchdowns to Marshall and Eddie Royal, as Denver will win again, 23-10.

Sept. 27, at Oakland, 2:15 PM

The Raiders were Mike Shanahan’s favorite team to play against, as he was absolutely dominant over his former team, one he had a grudge with because owner Al Davis snubbed him on a reported $500,000.

One thing is for sure: There still will be love lost between the two teams even though Shanahan is gone, as Denver fans are brought up as “Raider Haters” and the Black Hole in Oakland despises beautiful colors like orange and blue.

Let’s face it though; the Raiders were downright bad last year (5-11), just as they have been since 2003—when they were destroyed in the Super Bowl by the Buccaneers.

I see the Broncos beating the Raiders, even if it’s a somewhat close battle in Oakland, 21-20, as Sebastian Janikowski misses another field goal at the buzzer—without the timeout call this time.

Oct. 4, vs. Dallas, 2:15 PM

The Dallas Cowboys are likely the biggest question mark on the entire Broncos schedule, as they are a highly inconsistent team overall.

Sure, they should probably be among one of the elite teams in the league, with Tony Romo, a talented running back tandem in Felix Jones and Marion Barber, and the addition of Igor Olshansky at DE, but they missed the playoffs again last year.

Dallas also lost some huge names in Terrell Owens and safety Roy Williams and only finished at 9-7, third in the highly competitive NFC East.

If the Broncos defense hasn’t adapted to the 3-4 by now, they probably won’t all season. Even if they have, Denver likely does not have good enough players to stop the running game of the Cowboys.

Dallas will wear down Denver’s D in the fourth quarter, winning the game on a game-ending touchdown drive, 21-14.

Oct. 11, vs. New England, 2:15 PM

The Patriots are the dynasty of the new millennium, winning three Super Bowls in four attempts, and with Tom Brady coming back this year, they look to compete for yet another championship in 2009.

Possibly the only advantage the Broncos will have is that Josh McDaniels came from New England and should have some insight into the Patriots offense to give to Nolan. That and the game is at home, in new Mile High.

In all likelihood, though, New England’s offense, defense, and even special teams will be better than Denver’s, and the Broncos will lose, 28-17.

Bill Belichick wins yet another battle against a disciple.

Oct. 19, at San Diego, 6:30 PM

The Chargers are the AFC West’s reigning division leaders, but with only an 8-8 record, identical to the Broncos’, the division is definitely up in the air.

San Diego has had Denver’s number lately though, as they haven’t lost to the Broncos in the last three years. Plus, the Chargers boast stars like Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Shawne Merriman.

Orton will probably throw a pick or two to at least one of San Diego’s spectacular cornerbacks, and again the Denver defense will be run over by Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.

While I have a feeling the Broncos will make this a tough game for the Chargers, San Diego will likely win out again at home, 30-17.

Nov. 1, at Baltimore, 11:00 AM

Denver does not usually fare well in these morning games, and as the Ravens were 11-5 and a wild card playoff team in 2008, this will be the start of one of the toughest stretches the Broncos face all year.

Baltimore scored 141 more points than they gave up in 2008, which led the league. Add to that the fact that the game is played in their home stadium, and this does not bode well for the Denver.

In this low-scoring slugfest, the Ravens will beat the Broncos 10-7.

Nov. 9, vs. Pittsburgh, 6:30 PM

Continuing the trend of playoff opponents, the Broncos face the Super Bowl champion Steelers on Monday Night Football.

What is there to say about the Steelers? They are the best team in football and will remain so until someone beats them in 2009. Pittsburgh is great, with stars all over both sides of the ball and a young, intelligent head coach in Mike Tomlin.

This could be one of the most glaring losses on the Broncos’ schedule, as they will lose 30-10.

Nov. 15, at Washington, 11:00 AM

The Redskins are similar to the Cowboys—decent, but not quite consistent enough to make the playoffs. This game signifies the end of probably the toughest run of opponents of any NFL schedule this year.

Washington has some talent, Clinton Portis, and the many big-name additions they made this offseason, but Jason Campbell is a mid-level QB, and the Redskins are not that great all around, as they had one of the worst offenses in the league in 2008—even worse than Detroit’s!

About the only thing going for the Redskins is the early start time.

Look for Moreno and Orton to have big days on this subpar defense though, and another Denver win, 31-14.

Nov. 22, vs. San Diego, 2:15 PM

The second game against the Chargers could bring a better result, as new Broncos adjust to San Diego’s style of play.

If not, then hopefully McDaniels will have found his favorite plays to run, and possibly some effective ones against the Chargers’ stout defense.

This game has all the makings of a classic AFC West battle, as players on both sides realize this contest could have future implication in the division championship and probably a place in the playoffs.

I see Orton having a so-so day, with a touchdown and an interception, but Moreno, the offensive line, and Matt Prater save Denver late, 23-20.

Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, vs. New York (Giants), 6:20 PM

This game seems to be a stinker at initial glance.

First, it’s a Thursday game, meaning the Broncos will have to play two games in four days, never an easy task.

Second, it’s against the Giants, who finished 12-4 last year and lost in the second round to the Eagles. Sure, they lost Plaxico Burress as a receiving threat, but they still have Eli Manning, and he will find some open pass catchers somewhere.

The Giants’ defense is pretty strong too, so this game will be tough overall.

Denver will lose 21-17 late again.

Dec. 6, at Kansas City, 11:00 AM

Let’s face it, Denver doesn’t win in KC in November or December. They just don’t—besides the last two years, that is. It seems even the magic of Arrowhead Stadium cannot continue winning trends through horrible teams, as the Chiefs have won a total of six games since 2007.

But Denver versus Kansas City always seems to be a good game, whether both teams are destined for the playoffs or neither is.

Last year though, the Chiefs were in the bottom third of the league in every category except turnovers per game.

Denver and Orton may give up a turnover via interception, but Denver will steal yet another game in KC, and the “Chefs” will be very disappointing for the third year in a row. Denver wins 24-21.

Dec. 13, at Indianapolis, 11:00 AM

The Colts could be in contention with the Raiders and Chiefs as the Broncos’ biggest rivals—at least in the new 2000s.

Indy beat Denver in consecutive years in the playoffs, both blowouts, and always seem to find a way to win against the Broncos during the regular season as well.

Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai: Those are names of Broncos killers. Not to mention all the “role” players that factor in to frustrate Denver and its fans.

Even though the Colts are going through a major change in front office personnel, with the retirements of head coach Tony Dungy and O-coordinator Tom Moore, they will most likely be a playoff team once again in 2009.

Indy will beat Denver handily at home, 41-14.

Dec. 20, vs. Oakland, 2:05 PM

The Raiders, part two.

This will be much like the earlier game against the black and silver parade of loonies, as Denver dominates to victory, bouncing back from the previous week’s trampling, 42-10.

Orton has a career day, with 350 yards, three TDs, and zero picks, and JaMarcus Russell is benched, again, as he continues to develop into a bust for the “Rai-duhs.”

Dec. 27, at Philadelphia, 11:00 AM

If the Broncos are doing as well as I think they will be at this point, then this game could prove to be influential to their playoff hopes.

But it will be for the Eagles too; since they play in the highly competitive NFC East, every win counts.

Philadelphia’s stars could be difficult for Denver’s D to stop, including Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Westbrook’s small stature never seems to slow his ever-increasing production running, receiving, or returning kicks.

On the Broncos side, this will be a homecoming game for Brian Dawkins, and I smell him grabbing a pick off of McNabb for old times’ sake. The Broncos could have a tough time moving the ball on this stout defense as well, as they ranked fourth in points and first in yards against in 2008.

Denver will lose a heartbreaker, 27-24.

Jan. 3, vs. Kansas City, 2:15 PM

The Chiefs part two.

Like I said earlier, neither team ever wants to lose to the other, especially when there is something of significance on the line—like a Broncos playoff berth.

Kansas City will give Denver its best effort on the gridiron but will come up short, as Prater boots a deep field goal to win the game for the Broncos, make fans forget about Jason Elam, and kick Denver into the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Denver wins 21-20.

Denver Wins AFC West with 8-8 Record

In the end, San Diego will falter once again, and Denver will make the playoffs this year at 8-8. The Chargers did it last year; why not the Broncos in 2009?

Realistically, this is an attainable goal, especially in the NFL, where it seems teams that are thought of as pretenders become contenders during the six-month marathon that is the NFL season.

Plus, McDaniels said it himself to Woody Paige; he’s never had a losing season in football, from high school through his years with the Patriots—so why bet against him now?

Where the Broncos go in the playoffs is up to them, though they will likely lose in the wild card round when they make it.