Denver Broncos 2012 Schedule: Ranking the Broncos' Games from Easiest to Hardest

Even before the actual schedule of games came out, Denver Broncos fans knew the teams that would be comprising that schedule could create the most difficult test in recent NFL history.

The way the schedule actually shook out did no real favors for the Broncos, as Denver's top four hardest games occur at the beginning and end of the season.

Suffice it to say that if the "new-look" Broncos can thrive with a schedule like this, they should have no trouble receiving credit when playoff time comes around. 

The Easy Slate...

16. Dec. 23 vs. Cleveland Browns

This should be the biggest romp of the year for Denver. It's at home and takes place late in the season when Cleveland should be out of it. Denver should be perfectly tuned for January.

15. Nov. 11 at Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are clearly on the right path, but they don't appear to be a playoff team yet. Manning should be able to overpower the Panthers defense and make life easy on the Denver defense.

14. Dec. 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay was a surprise in a good way two years ago, and a surprise in a not-so-good way last year. The Bucs may have "won" the 2012 offseason, but Philadelphia proved that is not a true predictor of success. At home, Denver should roll in this game.

13. Sept. 30 vs. Oakland Raiders

Denver will either be flying off momentum from a hard-fought victory at home the week prior to this, or it will be looking to avenge a tough loss to a quality opponent.

Either way, the Broncos should be ready to make a statement in the division right off the bat while Oakland struggles to find an identity. 

A Little Tougher...

12. Dec. 30 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The final game of the regular season could be a "must-win" in Denver for several reasons, but all of them point to playoff position. The Broncos and Peyton Manning will not disappoint.

11. Nov. 18 vs. San Diego Chargers

Coming home from a back-to-back road trip, the Broncos will think Sports Authority Field is a sight for sore eyes. It could also be a chance to sweep the Chargers for the first time in a season since 2005.

10. Dec. 6 at Oakland Raiders

The "Black Hole" awaits the Broncos, and this time it boasts a familiar face in former Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen leading the Raiders.

Oakland will be eager to try and establish a physical dominance over the Broncos, and the fans will have plenty of ideas on how to welcome Manning.

9. Oct. 15 at San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are eager to prove that they are still the class of the division, and they will try to utilize home-field advantage to do it. Philip Rivers will want to show that he can still go toe-to-toe with Manning in an aerial battle, with the winner being the team that can punish the opponent's QB the most.   

The Tricky Games...

8. Nov. 25 at Kansas City Chiefs

Nobody enjoys a trip to Arrowhead Stadium, but the Broncos can double the dislike of any team in the NFL. Manning will have his hands full with the winds whipping through the stadium prior to Thanksgiving, and Denver will need a tremendous effort to steal a victory here.

7. Nov. 4 at Cincinnati Bengals

The much less publicized "surprise story" of last season was the Cincinnati Bengals, and they project to be as good or better next season.

Much of their success will depend on whether or not they deftly use the draft capital acquired in the Carson Palmer trade. Either way, Cincinnati is not a "soft" road trip anymore.

6. Oct. 28 vs. New Orleans Saints

If the bounty program fallout had never happened, this game could have easily been ranked higher. Since the jury is still out on how the Saints will respond to not having Sean Payton on the sidelines, though, it got slightly dropped.

However, make no mistake that Drew Brees might be able to run the show just as effectively as always. This could be a shoot-out.

5. Sept. 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

How do you welcome Peyton Manning to Denver?

Put him in prime time against one of the most physical defenses in the NFL.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have revenge on their minds, and they are eager to prove that last year's playoff outcome was a fluke.

The True Tests

4. Sept. 17 at Atlanta Falcons

The first road trip for Manning and the Broncos will be at the Georgia Dome to take on perennial NFC playoff participant Atlanta. The Falcons have had their struggles in big games, but in the regular season at home, they are a tough bunch to beat.

This will be a true test of how Denver's rush defense can hold up against Michael Turner.

3. Sept. 23 vs. Houston Texans

The brutal gauntlet that begins the season for Denver concludes with this clash between the Broncos and the AFC favorite Houston Texans. Even though it is a home game, it still wraps up three straight games against playoff teams from 2011.

2. Dec. 16 at Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has been a nightmare road trip for Denver in recent years, and heading there in late December with divisions on the line will be real test for Denver's playoff preparedness.

Win or lose, the Broncos need to put up a better showing than they have been able to recently muster to be considered contenders.

1. Oct. 7 at New England Patriots

The Broncos saw first-hand how tough traveling to New England is in last year's playoffs.

Taking into account the fact that this will be a very different Broncos team, it still ranks as the toughest game for Denver in 2012. The Patriots are still the defending AFC champions, and even great teams have trouble winning in Foxboro.

The Wrap-Up

The Broncos' slate of games leading up to and coming out of their bye week includes teams that combined to win more than 80 games last season, not to mention six playoff teams out of eight (with the other two being divisional opponents).

It's easy to see how some experts can predict doom for the Broncos based on the incredibly tough start to their season. It's not as if Denver is rewarded afterwards with a soft home stretch like the Baltimore Ravens await in the final weeks of the season.

It's a tough test to be sure, but these predictions are primarily based on how tough things would have been last season. Any number of factors can change the difficulty of every game on the docket, but the only thing that Denver has to worry about is how prepared it is for every week.