Denver Broncos: Predicting Stats for All of Denver's Offensive Starters in 2011

Last season was a disappointment in Denver in every way. Their defense was pathetic, their offense was explosive but not effective, their head coach got caught cheating and was fired, they went 4-12. Yuck. 

All of the residents in the Mile High City are hoping that this year will bode differently for their precious Denver Broncos. 

The main issue in question will be the defense, and hopefully new head coach and defensive guru John Fox can fix this. 

The offense will also need to prove to be more effective if Denver wants to win. How will the starter's fair? Here are my predictions...

Knowshon Moreno (RB)

Knowshon Moreno will be the featured running back in Denver over veteran Willis McGahee. Moreno disappointed last season when his production slipped from his rookie season, but I think he should bounce back this year under John Fox, who loves to run. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Carries: 261

Rushing Yards: 1,045

Rushing Touchdowns: 7

Fumbles: 4

Receiving Yards: 325

Receiving Touchdowns: 2

Receptions: 32

Willis McGahee (RB)

Willis McGahee was one of the mot dominant runners in the league during his time with the Buffalo Bills and in 2007 with the Baltimore Ravens. McGahee has fought injuries and is no doubt past his prime, but he has a nose for the end zone and will find a way to help Denver on the goal line. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Carries: 117

Rushing Yards: 402

Rushing Touchdowns: 7

Fumbles: 1

Receiving Yards: 45

Receiving Touchdowns: 1

Receptions: 12

 

Brandon Lloyd (WR)

Brandon Lloyd, who had been nothing more than a league journeyman, broke out last season and claimed the league receiving title. He had over 1,400 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Few believe that Lloyd will mimic these numbers this season, yet I don't think his season last year will prove to be a fluke. Lloyd has the ability to get open and has a great relationship with quarterback Kyle Orton. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Receiving Yards: 1,167

Receiving Touchdowns: 9

Receptions: 75 

Eddie Royal (WR)

Eddie Royal broke out in his rookie season and surprised a lot of people with almost 1,000 receiving. Then he stunk in 2009 and bounced back a little last season, collecting 627 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Royal runs a great slant route and I think John Fox will utilize short slants like this in the red zone more this season, upping at least Royal's touchdowns. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Receiving Yards: 651

Receiving Touchdowns: 6

Receptions: 49

Eric Decker (WR)

Here's a stat figure for you: Eric Decker had 106 receiving yards last year on six receptions. That's a tasty average of 17.7 yards/catch. Decker will breakout this year and show off his talent. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Receiving Yards: 732

Receiving Touchdowns: 3

Receptions: 51

Matthew Willis (WR)

Matthew Willis will be the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart, and his contribution will be limited. Expect him to get one or two catches per game, with a big one coming once or twice since he has great speed. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Receiving Yards: 220

Receiving Touchdowns: 1

Receptions: 27

Daniel Fells (TE)

The tight end position in Denver last season was extremely under-utilized. Under a more conservative offense this year, expect this to change a bit. Daniel Fells had a solid season last year with the St. Louis Rams, and the fifth year tight end should have his best season yet this year in Denver. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Receiving Yards: 551

Receiving Touchdowns: 5

Receptions: 52

Kyle Orton (QB)

Perhaps the most under-appreciated and underrated quarterback in the league, Kyle Orton has been tremendous in his first two years in Denver. He has held a strong passer rating of over 85 in both seasons and flirted with 4,000 passing yards in both years. The talk of him being benched in favor of Tim Tebow is borderline comical. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Games: 14

Completions: 274

Passing Yards: 3,348

Passing Touchdowns: 24

Interceptions: 12

Rushing Yards: 95

Rushing Touchdowns: 1

Fumbles: 3

Tim Tebow (QB)

The most over-hyped player in the league at this moment, Tim Tebow will start two games this season in place of an injured Kyle Orton and perform well. Tebow may be great one day, but this isn't his season. Orton wasn't traded, so Tebow will continue to warm the bench. 

Predicted 2011 Stats: 

Games: 2

Completions: 29

Passing Yards: 545

Passing Touchdowns: 3

Interceptions: 2

Rushing Yards: 209

Rushing Touchdowns: 3

Fumbles: 0