Denver Broncos: 4 Games to Mark on the Football Calender

In a topsy-turvy offseason, combined with a loaded free agency period and a heightened mood for what is going to be the 2011 NFL football season, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a rebuilding mode. 

The Broncos faithful have been pulled every which way in this irregular offseason, putting Kyle Orton on the trading block and then never reporting any trade talks with Miami, who all but had a deal. The Broncos were slow with free agency, getting a bunch of young players who have yet to play up to their potential and were outbid for many of the sexy names (DeAngelo Williams, Chad Ochocino, Brendon Mebane, etc.).

It seems that Orton is miles ahead of Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn, setting the stage for Tebow to sit one more year and Orton to be the No. 1 guy. Head coach John Fox is slowly putting the pieces together on what was a porous defense with the drafting of Rahim Moore and Von Miller, as well as gaining back Elvis Dumervil from injury.

The Broncos were 4-12 last season, and even though the Broncos brass has said that they are on a three-year plan, it does not mean they will not compete and try to win now.

The way I see it, every game is obviously important being that there are only 16 regular season games, but there are four pivotal, season-changing games the Broncos will need to dial it up for if they want their season to be any kind of a success.

Week 1: Oakland Raiders (Monday Night Football)

When: Week 1

Where: Denver, INVESCO Field at Mile High

Who: Oakland Raiders

The stage is set for the Broncos to show the world what kind of team they will be for the 2011 NFL season on Monday Night Football in a Week 1 division matchup against a much hated rival in the Oakland Raiders. 

Wow.

Now, I have said since the end of the year and once the schedule came out that Tim Tebow will start Week 1 for the Denver Broncos, but regardless of who will be behind center, this game will tell Bronco Nation what the rest of the season has in store.

The Raiders are a scary, under-the-radar team with a running attack many Bronco fans can and will never forget (see last year). They did lose their best player on defense in Nnamdi Asomugha (Philadelphia) and their main receiving threat in tight end Zach Miller (Seattle).

The Broncos were 0-2 against the Raiders and this game has a lot of meaning in terms of making noise in your own division. We will be able to see whether or not the new, conservative ground-and-pound offense will work and how aggressive they really will be on defense.

Two new head coaches with new teams—Hue Jackson vs. John Fox—will get their first dose of the rivalry, and if the Broncos are a team that wants to win, I cannot imagine another game they need more than their season, home opener. 

Expect a sold-out stadium and an inspired Bronco team.

Prediction: 27-16 Broncos

Week 8: Detroit Lions

When: Week 8

Where: Denver, INVESCO Field at Mile High

Who: Detroit Lions

It is not a division game—it is not even a real rivalry—but this Week 8 matchup of the Broncos and Lions will serve as a nice measuring stick for the Broncos at the mid point of the Broncos season.

The Lions are a couple years removed from their worst season in NFL history and they are revamped and looking to make some noise in the competitive NFC North. The Lions are a young, powerful team that now has a top defensive line with Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and now Nick Fairley. 

Again, I am looking into a crystal ball, but at the midpoint of the season this game is huge in terms of the Broncos being able to call their season a success. They would be two weeks removed from their bye week and are setup for a huge game at home with a foreign foe.

The Lions are a team of the future, and if the Broncos are able to hang in there and compete then Broncos Country could be in good shape moving forward.

Prediction: 24-20 Lions

Week 12: San Diego Chargers

When: Week 12

Where: San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium

Who: San Diego Chargers

The Broncos have been beaten bad by the Chargers in recent history and it has never been a fun road trip to San Diego. This year, like every other year, is "the one" for the Chargers, the one where they make it to the Super Bowl. 

The Broncos enter Week 12 after playing two division rivals on the road in the last three weeks and get ready to play their third road—and division—game in four weeks. It will be a true test of the Broncos' mental fortitude and legs.

What I mean is, if the injury bug has gotten to them, who has shined thus far into the season and what does the season look like? The Chargers always play well late in the season and I do not think that this year will be any different.

Unfortunately for the Broncos this is where the rough part of the season really gets good. Three out of the past four weeks playing divisional road games will do that to you. 

Prediction: 34-20 Chargers

Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs

When: Week 17

Where: Denver, INVESCO Field at Mile High

Who: Kansas City Chiefs

It is not a surprise that three out of the four teams on this list are division rivals—the only way to begin to take the league by storm is by taking back your division and becoming relevant again. 

The Chiefs are another up-and-coming young team that in recent years have taken it to the Broncos. Last year Dallas got them good at home, but on the road it lost a defensive battle. And who could forget the season finale two years ago where Jamaal Charles went bonkers on the ground game?

Regardless of the Broncos record entering the final game of the season, this is a huge game. Finishing strong regardless if they are winning or losing will paint a picture for the upcoming season and a final statement on the first year of the EFX era.

A season of much conflict and argument comes to an end in a huge end of the season home finale that the Broncos better dial it up for because every game counts. Always.

Prediction: 27-10 Broncos

Follow me on Twitter: @vincesapienza.