NFL Predictions: Predicting Every Game of the Denver Broncos 2012 Season

In perhaps one of the most hapless divisions pro football has to offer, almost any team that fields future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning would be the sure favorite to take home the division title.

Then again, the Broncos aren't just any team. They were competitive without Manning last year on both sides of the ball, especially on the defensive side and the running game. In fact, the only real cause for concern for the Broncos last year was in regard to their passing game.

Manning should be able to correct this problem and if he does, the Broncos will be a very complete team going into the 2012 season, ready to compete for more then just the AFC West title.

Make no mistake, the Broncos have a very tough schedule (the second toughest behind only the Giants), yet it's hard to imagine that they wouldn't be able to improve on last season's 8-8 record and be in the mix for a first-round bye come playoff time.

As cliche as it may sound, "one game at a time" will be a reality for the Broncos in 2012. We'll examine them using a similar approach.

Here are predictions for every matchup the Broncos will face during the 2012 season.

Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers

This matchup will be very different then the infamous playoff game the two teams played last year, simply due to the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers will need to deal with Peyton Manning instead of Tim Tebow.

In all likelihood this is going to be a defensive battle, but Manning won't disappoint in his first game in front of the Denver faithful.

Denver: 18-15

Week 2: @ Atlanta Falcons

Though it's been awhile since these two teams have met, both are on the rise in their respective conferences.

Last year Atlanta's defense ranked 20th defending the pass and sixth defending the run. Even if the Falcons are able to stop Denver's running game and force the Broncos into a Peyton Manning shootout, it doesn't exactly improve their chances.

This has all the potential to be Manning's statement game.

Denver: 34-20

Week 3: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans boast one of the best all-around defenses in the league, ranking in the top five against both the pass and the run.

The question here will be whether or not Denver's own defense can answer the bell against Matt Schaub and Arian Foster.

Despite being a home game, this matchup doesn't look good for Denver, and could be a prelude to an excellent playoff game, where the Broncos will be seeking revenge.

Houston: 30-26

Week 4: Oakland Raiders

This matchup could come down to each team's rushing attack. While Oakland ranked 27th against both the pass and the rush last year, Denver was fairly helpless against the run as well.

If Oakland can dominate on the ground and keep Manning off the field they might have a shot, but the Raiders' weaknesses on defense and inability to capitalize aren't going to do them any favors against Denver's offense.

Expect it to be hard fought, but this game should be a win for the Broncos.

Denver: 20-3

Week 5: @ New England Patriots

Everyone knows what the Patriots were able to do to the Broncos last year, and truthfully, the blame shouldn't have fallen to Tim Tebow as much as it should've fallen to Denver's defense.

Then again, the Patriots defense ranked as one of the worst in the league last season, and if they can't stop Manning then it could get fairly interesting.

There's no question this game is straight up Manning versus Brady. It's hard to choose here, but New England will be expected to pull out a win in a close game.

Patriots: 42-35

Week 6: @ San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers have had Denver's number in years past, but last year's Chargers team was extremely average and aren't likely to put up much of a fight against Manning and the Broncos.

If Rivers is the turnover machine he was last season, expect the Broncos' secondary to grab a couple turnovers and make this a statement game about the AFC West being Manning's division to lose.

Denver: 27-14

Week 8: New Orleans Saints

At this point in the season, both these teams could be boasting two of the most aggressive passing attacks in football.

While Denver will be dealing with a severely crippled Saints team due to such a difficult offseason, they will still need to find a way to contain Drew Brees.

It won't happen.

New Orleans: 28-20

Halfway Through

At this point in the season I have Denver at 4-3. It will be a critical point for the Broncos as the most difficult part of their schedule will already be behind them.

Looking forward, the only really tough matchups the Broncos have left will be against the Bengals and the Ravens. The rest are division games broken up by home games against the Bucs, Browns and a trip to Carolina to play the Panthers.

Needless to say, Denver is set up to have a great second half.

Week 9: @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have a good defense, but so do the Broncos, and Peyton Manning versus Andy Dalton doesn't bode well for Cincinnati.

Home-field advantage won't get it done for the Bengals here.

Denver: 21-17

Week 10: @ Carolina Panthers

Denver's first look at Cam Newton will be slightly less dramatic since Tim Tebow won't be looking for yards on the ground against a fellow run-friendly quarterback.

Carolina's defense didn't stop much last year, and with a strong running game from Willis McGahee, expect Manning to put on a clinic while Cam Newton racks up most of his yards pacing on the sidelines.

Denver: 32-12

Week 11: San Diego Chargers

Coming off two solid wins, Denver could be susceptible and over-relaxed at home. I wouldn't expect to see Phillip Rivers allow himself to be swept in both games by the Broncos, Manning or not.

This is especially true considering the fact that Rivers and the Chargers are almost always a better second-half team.

It will certainly be close, but turnovers could be an issue here for Denver if Rivers is sharp and the Broncos have to play from behind.

Chargers: 17-7

Week 12: @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs haven't had much to celebrate during this offseason, certainly not enough to top the strides made by the Broncos.

If Kansas City has a healthy running game, it could be close, but expect Denver's defense to deliver in a big way.

Denver: 33-9

Week 13: Tampa Bay Bucaneers

Tampa Bay had a great draft and is a team thought by many to be on the rise. Then again, they were the worst team in the league against the run in 2011.

Against Denver's top-ranked rushing attack, the Buccaneers won't be able to keep Manning off the field enough to play a close game.

In front of their hometown crowd, this is Denver's game to lose.

Denver: 35-15

Week 14: @ Oakland Raiders

Giving Denver the season sweep of the Raiders isn't easy, but Carson Palmer just isn't the guy to take down Manning.

Again, this game will be decided by how effective Oakland's rushing attack can be, and whether or not Denver can stop it. Oakland won't be able to afford giving the ball to Manning on turnovers, who at this point in the season will have had time to develop a lot of chemistry with the likes of Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.

Denver: 24-14

Week 15: @ Baltimore Ravens

With Denver on their second away game in as many weeks, it's going to be hard to grind out a win against Baltimore suffocating defense.

If McGahee can run and give Manning some breathing room against his former club, anything is possible. Not to mention the fact that Joe Flacco isn't anything the Denver secondary can't handle, but conventional wisdom gives a close one to Baltimore.

Ravens: 17-7

Week 16: Cleveland Browns

Sitting at 9-5, the Broncos will now be set to grab those extra wins due them after signing Manning.

It's entirely possible that the Browns will have gone through the entire process of a midseason quarterback controversy since neither Colt McCoy nor Brandon Weeden will have anyone to throw to.

The Browns had a good draft, but this team is in no way ready to keep up with Manning's passing attack. Both sides of the ball will be an issue for Cleveland in this game.

Denver: 28-17

Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City will likely be playing spoiler at this point in the season. Then again, 10 wins should be enough to lock up the division and a playoff spot for Denver.

Whether or not the Broncos are playing for pride or a first-round bye, expect them to cap off the season with a solid win and up their win column to a Manning-worthy total.

Denver: 27-15

The Results

Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, and his presence gives the Broncos at least two or three more wins then they were able to total last year.

Should the Broncos manage three or four wins during the first seven games, they will be in an excellent position to take full advantage of a much friendlier second-half schedule.

In the end, predictions are only predictions. As always, injuries have the potential to play a huge role in any and all games on the schedule. However if things go as expected, Denver has all the pieces in place to be competing for the division title and a first-round bye come January.

Record: 11-5

Points For: 394

Points Against: 285