2011 NFL Schedule: Denver Broncos Opponent Analysis
Recently, the NFL just released the opponents for the 2011 season.
Well, coming off arguably the worst season in franchise history, how will the Denver Broncos fare this fall?
For starters, let's be optimistic that there will be a season, so the next step is to analyze the schedule.
The Broncos are currently in a rebuilding process after the destruction that was Josh McDaniels.
Thus, prior to kickoff, let's check out their schedule of opponents for the Autumn Wind.
NOTE: Game are in no particular order since only the opponents have been released.
Oakland Raiders
1 of 13
2010 RECORD: 8-8
2010 SERIES: Raiders swept 2-0
LAST MEETING: Raiders won 39-23 in Oakland
Despite being the only team in the entire NFL to go unbeaten in division play, the Raiders still managed to miss the post-season by finishing 2-8 outside the AFC West.
This fall will be interesting when both teams meet up, because both have new head coaches.
John Fox in Denver is looking for a fresh start, where Hue Jackson takes his initial NFL head coaching position.
Regardless if the game is in Denver or Oakland, with new head coaches it should be fun to watch.
Kansas City Chiefs
2 of 13
2011 RECORD: 10-6
2011 SERIES: Split 1-1
LAST MEETING: Chiefs won 10-6 at Arrowhead Stadium
Well, with John Fox as the new head coach in Denver, chances are Todd Haley won't pull another end of game shenanigan in 2011.
Let's face it, no one in Denver really liked Josh McDaniels, and John Fox has the opportunity to start from scratch.
In K.C., they won their first divsion title since 2003 despite losing in the Wildcard round.
In any event, the Chiefs are the favorites to repeat in the AFC West with all their puzzle pieces connected.
"Somewhere over the Dwayne Bowe" (best Chris Bermanism EVER) comes off an outstanding season, while QB Matt Cassel, RB Jamaal Charles (averaged six yards per carry) and safety Eric Berry (became first Chiefs rookie pro-bowler since Derrick Thomas) all remain intact.
San Diego Chargers
3 of 13
2010 RECORD: 9-7
2011 SERIES: Chargers swept 2-0
LAST MEETING: Chargers won 33-28 in Denver
San Diego was finally dethroned in 2010 by Kansas City, despite have a top-five offense and defense.
It just goes to show how special teams can impact not only a game, but a season.
History also seems to be repeating itself in Southern California, as QB Phillip Rivers continues to put up stellar numbers, but no championships (um, Dan Fouts anyone?).
The draft will be key for San Diego, as they are virtually a replica team of K.C. with great players in roughly the same positions.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 13
2010 RECORD: 4-12
LAST MEETING: Bills won 30-23 at Denver in 2008
WHERE IN 2011: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Do the Bills have their QB of the future in Ryan Fitzpatrick?
WR Steve Johnson is great, but will fellow wide-out Lee Evans get back on track?
Well, we'll find out a lot about the Bill's future this year and if it's headed in the right direction.
Verse Denver however, it will be interesting to see Fitzpatrick and Johnson against Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins.
Miami Dolphins
5 of 13
2010 RECORD: 7-9
LAST MEETING: Dolphins won 26-17 at Denver in 2008
WHERE IN 2011: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Ah, the game a lot of Broncos fans have been waiting for.
To see Brandon Marshall against his old team.
The only way it would have been better, is if Miami were to play in Denver, but it should be an intriguing match-up.
Champ versus Brandon, and when he goes deep, Brian Dawkins to lay the wood.
However, the 'Fins should run the ball more since Denver has trouble stopping the run, and with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, Miami could definitely make them vulnerable.
New York Jets
6 of 13
2010 RECORD: 11-5
LAST MEETING: Jets won 24-20 at Denver in 2010
WHERE IN 2011: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Looks like it could be another barn-burner in 2011 between the Jets and Broncos.
However, New York has the edge with football's version of the Swiss army knife in No. 16 Brad Smith.
Smith can play QB, RB, WR, CB, FS, SS, PR and KR.
He's very dangerous and if the Broncos want a chance to win, isolating him throughout the game will be key.
New England Patriots
7 of 13
2010 RECORD: 14-2
LAST MEETING: Broncos won 20-17 (OT) in Denver in 2009
WHERE IN 2011: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
The last time these two teams met, it was the student versus the teacher.
Now, much has changed, but it reverts back to defensive minds squaring off.
Bill Belichick and his creative mind with the 1-5-5 against John Fox and his old-school 4-3 (with a 3-4 mix every now and then).
However, New England is always going to have the advantage with Terriffic Tom under center.
Regardless of the WRs, RBs and TEs, the man named Brady always produces.
Chicago Bears
8 of 13
2010 RECORD: 11-5
LAST MEETING: Bears won 37-34 (OT) at Soldier Field in 2007
WHERE IN 2011: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Remember the aforementioned Brandon Marshall and how Broncos fans have been waiting for his return.
Well, this one ups that on another level.
Hopefully this game will be on national television, so the sports world can see how passionate Denver residents are about their Broncos, because when Jay Cutler's name is announced, the boo may cause an avalanche.
However, Chicago will be no slouch, especially with one of the league's best defenses behind MLB Brian Urlacher.
Green Bay Packers
9 of 13
2010 RECORD: 10-6
LAST MEETING: Packers won 19-13 (OT) at Denver in 2007
WHERE IN 2011: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Just the Broncos luck, they get the face the defending Super Bowl champions one the road in 2011.
Well, it's going to be their toughest game on the schedule as the cheese play well at home, while the Broncs have struggled on the road.
Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, NFC Defensive MVP Clay Mathews, Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, this list goes on and on.
Denver will have their hands full, so protecting the ball and playing good defense on second and third down will be key.
Minnesota Vikings
10 of 13
2010 RECORD: 6-10
LAST MEETING: Broncos won 22-19 (OT) in Denver in 2007
WHERE IN 2011: Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Finally, Brett Favre is gone and thankfully, Adrian Peterson remains.
For as bad as the Denver rush defense was in 2010, it looks to be a field day for Adrian on paper.
However, the Vikings will have a new QB under center in 2011, so it may be easier to stop the run.
So, don't be surprised if the Broncos come out on top, but also don't be surprised if Peterson runs for 350 yards and five TDs.
Detroit Lions
11 of 13
2010 RECORD: 6-10
LAST MEETING: Lions won 44-7 at Ford Field in 2007
WHERE IN 2011: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Last season the Lions had some hope as they played more competitively than the previous two seasons.
They have a solid receiving core, RBs, and if QB Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, one sweet offense.
Defensively, they're building around DT Ndamukong Suh, so it is safe to say that in Detroit, "It's on like Ndamukong."
That said, the Lions could improve once again in 2011, how much is the next question.
Cincinnati Bengals
12 of 13
2010 RECORD: 4-12
LAST MEETING: Denver won 12-7 at Cincinnati in 2009
WHERE IN 2011: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Once again the Bengals are back to being the "Bungals" as they choked against the Jets in the 2009 Wildcard round, and then finishing 4-12 last year.
Not to mention Carson Palmer doesn't want any part of the franchise.
So, with the Broncos rebuilding to improvement, the "Bungals" have to figure out what to do with T-Ocho and Carson Palmer.
It's a mess, and game planning is one thing Cincinnati will lack in due to the off the field issues.
Tennessee Titans
13 of 13
2010 RECORD: 6-10
LAST MEETING: Denver won 26-20 at Tennessee in 2010
WHERE IN 2011: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
Here we see two teams in similar situations.
New head coaches, and a "not 100 percent for sure of who the QB will be" dilemma.
We know Denver has an established QB in Kyle Orton, but Tim Tebow received more playing time toward season's end.
Tennessee rids Vince Young of his duties, but is Kerry Collins the answer?
This game should answer some of the questions.
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