5 Bold Predictions for Denver Broncos' Week 1 Matchup

The Denver Broncos want to get the 2015 season started the right way with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. This is not going to be an easy win as the Ravens could certainly make it to the postseason once again because of their talent on both sides of the ball.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak knows the talent well, as he was the offensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2014. He won't prepare differently for this game, even though he knows the personnel so well.

“It’s not really [different]," the coach said. "There’s such a big thing made out of stuff like that in this league. Most guys, if you’ve been in this league a while, you’ve probably been a few places. That’s the way that it works, so we tend to see a lot of guy that we’ve coached with or players that we’ve had on our teams."

Kubiak emphasized, "Now it’s about the players, it’s about getting ready to play and two good football teams going at it."

There are expectations for this team in Week 1, but Broncos fans know there could be a few surprises along the way.

Here are five bold predictions for the Broncos’ Week 1 matchup on Sunday.

Peyton Manning Is Not Sacked Once

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Broncos' starting five offensive linemen have never played together in a game—not even in the preseason. The unit had been shuffled early in training camp, with new starters inserted at left guard and right tackle.

Just when you thought they were set, the Broncos decided to sign free-agent left guard Evan Mathis and plug him in as the starter.

Mathis didn’t play with the team in the preseason, but the veteran is on track to start against the Ravens. He’s a fantastic addition for the Broncos offensive line, as he’ll provide veteran experience in between two players (left tackle Ty Sambrailo, center Matt Paradis) who have never started a game in the regular season.

Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison would not reveal if the Broncos would use extra blockers up front to help keep the Ravens' pass-rushers at bay: “I don’t know that I could say yes or no because that would be a competitive advantage knowing one way or another. We’re going to do everything that we think we need to do to move the ball in the game.”

Mathis has one specific key for the offensive line to perform well on Sunday: “It’s just about the desire to do it. I think that we have a good room full of guys that want to do it. It’s going to be communication, playing hard, physical and fast. If we make mistakes, learn from them and move on.”

The Ravens have a fierce pass rush, and the Broncos should have their hands full when it comes to protecting their quarterback. It will also benefit them that Manning gets rid of the ball so quickly.

C.J. Anderson Rushes for More Than 100 Yards

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

It may not be that bold to predict running back C.J. Anderson to go over the century mark on Sunday. The rushing attack is going to be the centerpiece of the Broncos offense, and the zone-blocking system should get the best out of Anderson in 2015.

Last season, he waited patiently for his opportunity behind Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. When he took over as the starter, Anderson never looked back. Over the final six weeks of the regular season in 2014, he led the league in rushing. He also had the third-most all-purpose yards of any player during that time.

Anderson looks different—better—this year.

He has reshaped his body with the idea that he would be the lead back with the capability of leading the league in rushing. Anderson is leaner, but he’s still running with amazing toughness between the tackles. He’s the team’s power back, but he is also quite capable as a receiver out of the backfield. Anderson is a three-down back who rarely needs to come off the field.

Kubiak knows the Ravens run defense is one of the best.

"They're big and physical," the coach said. "Their fronts on both sides of the ball—it's the way they're built.

"I think in football if you're physical every week, you're going to have a chance to be consistently successful. We've got our hands full from that standpoint, but we understand we're going to have to play very physical."

The Ravens are going to come out and try to be the bully in Denver. The Broncos need to match that aggression, and they can beat up the bully with Anderson rushing the rock early and often.

Emmanuel Sanders Returns a Punt for a Touchdown

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

He missed the entire preseason (and most of training camp) with a hamstring injury, but wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is healthy and will play in Week 1 against Baltimore.

His role in the Kubiak offense is going to be smaller than it was last year when he set career-best numbers with 101 catches, 1,404 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. This season, Sanders is likely to catch around 70 catches for about 1,000 yards.

However, we will see Sanders in a new role with the Broncos. He’s going to be the primary punt returner in 2015.

Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis has liked what he’s seen from Sanders in practice.

"He’s looked good," DeCamillis said. "We worked him during training camp some as you all know. He’s got good speed and quickness during practice. He’s caught the ball well. It’s going to be exciting to see him back there."

Sanders comes in fresh, and all reports indicate his hamstring is at or near full strength. With his speed, quickness and ability to make defenders miss, we could see Sanders take one to the house on Sunday.

James Casey Catches a Touchdown

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Broncos have multiple weapons on offense, but there is one pass-catcher who seems to be flying under the radar. The tight ends are going to be used quite often in the Kubiak system, but do not forget about the team’s lone fullback.

It’s a bit unfair to list James Casey as a fullback because he can do so much more.

He played several positions in college at Rice, and Casey was originally a fifth-round pick in 2009 by the Kubiak-led Houston Texans. Casey can line up at tight end, fullback and H-back at the pro level.

Casey knows his role in the Kubiak offense: "I can play fullback and I can do some tight end stuff, too. When we're in our base set with one fullback and one tight end, we can do multiple things where I can line up wide or at the fullback position [and] run traditional run plays."

Casey continued: "I think I'm just versatile in this offense. It always helps when you've been there and you've done that and you're familiar with what's going on. But at the same time, you have to go out and prove yourself every year, so that's what I'm trying to do right now."

When the Broncos get to the red zone, things can get a little tight for the zone-blocking system. Perhaps using Casey as a receiver out of the backfield is the recipe to get into the end zone at least once on Sunday.

Joe Flacco Is Sacked 5 or More Times

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

This Broncos defense could go down as the best in team history. This pass rush is likely to be one of the best in the league this season.

Linebacker Von Miller is going to push for around 20 sacks in 2015. He’s been phenomenal in training camp and the preseason. He gets after the passer with quickness, speed and the ability to bend around the edge. However, Miller can also use power moves to make his way to the quarterback.

He believes this defense could be special.

"We should get a whole bunch of sacks," Miller said. "We're still just building, we're still just taking it one day at a time, but I feel good for where we are right now."

Kubiak wants the team to get after Flacco as much as possible.

"They get rid of the ball," the coach said. "[Ravens QB] Joe [Flacco] will get rid of the ball and they can protect pretty well. Obviously, it was a strength with [QB] Peyton [Manning] last year—getting rid of the football. I think we were one or two as far as giving up sacks.

"It will be a big, big challenge this go round. We're different up front. It will be a big challenge for us to protect our quarterback."

Against the Ravens, Miller might snare a couple of sacks. Add in the potential production from DeMarcus Ware, Malik Jackson and Shane Ray, and you see how getting to Flacco at least five times is a real possibility.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.