Denver Broncos: 7 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Denver Broncos Season

The Denver Broncos are coming off a dismal 4-12 season where their defense ranked near the last in the league and their coach was fired following a spygate scandal. 

It's clear Denver needs to rebuild. The good news is that Denver will be a healthier team this year and the only place to go, even in the Mile High city, is up. 

Here are 7 bold predictions for the 2011 Denver Broncos. 

7. Von Miller Will Be in the Running for Defensive Rookie of the Year

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Von Miller, #2 overall pick by the Denver Broncos, as he holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Ph

With the second pick of the 2011 NFL draft, the Broncos selected former Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. 

Miller was hands down the most dominant linebacker in his draft class, posting 10.5 sacks last season for the Aggies. 

Miller will adjust easily to defense in the NFL, especially with a defensive coach in John Fox and considering the fact that the Aggies also ran a 3-4 defensive scheme. 

6. Elvis Dumervil's Return Will Be Greatly Felt & Appreciated

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DENVER - OCTOBER 15: Defensive End Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack on quarterback Andrew Walter of the Oakland Raiders with linebacker Ian Gold #52 in the first quarter on October 15, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denve

Elvis Dumervil missed all of the 2010 season with a torn pectoral muscle, and the Denver defense surely missed him and his 17 sacks from the previous season. 

Dumervil is back this season, healthy, and ready to go. I don't know if he will be able to once again be the league leader in sacks, but his return along with Von Miller will help Denver boast one of the strongest front sevens in the league.

No longer will Denver be ranked so low on defense. 

5. The Running Game Will Still Be Sub-Par

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Runningback Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defe

Knowshon Moreno has been far from terrible in his two seasons with Denver, but he has been far from impressive either. 

This past season, he fought off injury throughout the year and 779 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. To his credit, he did have a YPC average of 4.3, which is pretty efficient. 

Still, I don't think Moreno has the stamina or the strength to be a good NFL rusher, and I predict that Denver's rushing attack will be secondary to their passing. 

I would not be surprised either if they signed another running back this offseason. 

4. DeMaryius Thomas Will Have His Breakout Season

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DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception for a touchdown against cornerback Darrelle Revis #24 the New York Jets at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Just

I was really expecting this to happen last season, but unfortunately, DeMaryius Thomas fought off injuries throughout his entire rookie season.

Thomas is the type of big receiver (6'3", 230 lbs.) who can create serious matchup problems against undersized cornerbacks. As long as he can stay healthy, expect Thomas to be a breakout star in an underrated Denver receiving core. 

Thomas did reportedly tear his Achilles in February, yet he will supposedly be back for preseason. 

3. Tim Tebow Will Throw over 20 Touchdowns and over 10 Interceptions

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos runs for a first down past linebacker Antwan Applewhite #90 of the San Diego Chargers as guard Zane Beadles #68 trails the play during the fourth quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile Hig

The man who everyone wants to see get on the field, quarterback Tim Tebow will most likely be the starter for the Broncos come September. Veteran QB Kyle Orton will more than likely be traded by that time. 

Tebow is a big name and was of course a college standout at Florida, yet has developed an enormous amount of critics due to his unconventional style of quarterbacking, which includes an odd throwing motion and an aggressive approach to running. 

No doubt Tebow needs to learn to be an NFL quarterback who hangs in the pocket and makes passes, but he is a great football player and will do so. 

Expect Tebow to make some great passes this season, along with some very ugly ones, en route to making the passing attack the focal point of Denver's offense. 

2. Champ Bailey Will Not Play 16 Games

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before taking on the Oakland Raiders at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Champ Bailey is still a very dominant cornerback, yet this is the season that will show that he is 33.

Bailey still has plenty of gas left in the tank, yet I expect him to get a little beat up at times this year and miss three or four games with some injuries.

Cornerbacks will indeed be the biggest question in Denver's defense. Bailey and fellow starter Andre Goodman are both in their 30s, and Perrish Cox can't seem to stay out of trouble long enough to be a productive contributor.  

1. Denver Will Tie with San Diego for Second in the Division

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty

Denver will improve on last year's 4-12 record, and will finish 2011 with an 8-8 record.

The Chiefs will win the division, going 10-6, and the San Diego Chargers will tie the Broncos and finish at .500 as well.

The Chargers will have a better division record than Denver though, and Denver will thereby miss the Wild Card spot in the playoffs. 

Fortunately for the fans of the Mile High ball club, however, 2011 will bode better for the Broncos than 2010 did.