2013 Broncos Schedule

[Broncos6482]

Do you guys really think you will be a dominant force this year while losing Vonn for the first 6 games? How do you think he will play in game 7? I thought for sure, before Vonn was SSPD, the Broncos would have been top notch. Right now I am not so sure. I think the Chiefs are better this year and have a chance and don't think the Charges will do anything. IMO, Rivers is done.

The Broncos only have to survive the first 6 games of the season without Von Miller. Remember they were 3-3 after 6 games last year and finished with the best record in the AFC. Looking at the schedule, I think 3-3 is the worst case scenario for the Broncos after 6 games. It's unlikely they lose to the Raiders, Eagles, or Jaguars at home. Then if they can just win 1 of the other 3 games they'll be sitting pretty at 4-2 with Von back. The Cowboys and Giants are both very up and down teams, so both of those games could go either way. That leaves the Ravens game; I think the Broncos will be pretty fired up to beat the Ravens after they ended our season last year, and although it will likely require a shoot-out, I think the Broncos get it done. But again, even if they lose to the Ravens, Giants, and Cowboys, they'll still likely be 3-3 at that point.

As for the Chiefs, I agree they will be better (it would be hard not to be), but they aren't ready to compete for the division yet. They've got issues on their offensive line, and other than Bowe, they don't have any receivers that scare anyone. They're a 7 to 9 win team.

The bottom line is the AFC West is a bad division and even without Von Miller for 6 games, the Broncos should still win it fairly easily.

 

[Tgann69]

Which was my point earlier...Is it better to enter the playoffs at 14-2 or 13-3 when you have beaten nobody or just 1 or 2 teams? The Broncos and NE play in arguably the weakest combined divisions in the NFL and always have lofty records. So basically a 13-3 or 14-2 record in the AFCW or AFCE is like a 10-6 or 9-7 record in the AFC North. Can you imagine if the Broncos or NE played in a division where 3 and possibly all 4 teams were playoffs contenders? Additionally, what if Peyton or Brady played in a division that's defenses always rank in the top 10? DO you think that might impact their HUGE numbers? yeah me too.

 

[cdumler7]

Which was my point earlier...Is it better to enter the playoffs at 14-2 or 13-3 when you have beaten nobody or just 1 or 2 teams? The Broncos and NE play in arguably the weakest combined divisions in the NFL and always have lofty records. So basically a 13-3 or 14-2 record in the AFCW or AFCE is like a 10-6 or 9-7 record in the AFC North. Can you imagine if the Broncos or NE played in a division where 3 and possibly all 4 teams were playoffs contenders? Additionally, what if Peyton or Brady played in a division that's defenses always rank in the top 10? DO you think that might impact their HUGE numbers? yeah me too.

Well against Pitt last year he went 19-26 for 253 yards with 2 touchdowns and they were the top defense in the NFL last year. In fact last year he went 4-0 against the AFC North so not really sure where you are going with this. If they are such a great division and yet he still dominated them would it really make a difference if he played in the AFC North or the AFC West?

 

[BobGnarly]

Peyton all time against the Ravens/Steelers/Bengals combined is 19-4, (Add in CLE and he is 25-4) so the notion that them effecting him in the regular season is nonsense.

 

[Broncos6482]

Which was my point earlier...Is it better to enter the playoffs at 14-2 or 13-3 when you have beaten nobody or just 1 or 2 teams? The Broncos and NE play in arguably the weakest combined divisions in the NFL and always have lofty records. So basically a 13-3 or 14-2 record in the AFCW or AFCE is like a 10-6 or 9-7 record in the AFC North. Can you imagine if the Broncos or NE played in a division where 3 and possibly all 4 teams were playoffs contenders? Additionally, what if Peyton or Brady played in a division that's defenses always rank in the top 10? DO you think that might impact their HUGE numbers? yeah me too.

The Broncos "always have lofty records?" Before last year they hadn't won 10 games in a season since 2005. And if the AFC North is so darn tough, could you explain to me how the Broncos managed to go 4-1 against that division last season?

By the way, Manning's average game against the AFC North last season? 24-35 for 275 yards, 2.4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Extrapolate that over an entire season, and he goes 387-560 (69%) for 4,406 yards, 38 touchdowns and 16 picks. All of those numbers shatter any of Flacco's best season, with the exception of the interceptions. So, yeah, I think Manning would do just fine throwing the ball against the AFC North.

 

[Broncosr0k]

Manning's performance last year against the AFC North:

Steelers: 73.1% completion 253 yards 2 TDs 0 INTs
Bengals: 77.1% completion 291 yards 3 TDs 2 INTs
Ravens: 60.7% completion 204 yards 1 TDs 0 INTs
Browns: 69.8% completion 339 yards 3 TDs 1 INTs
Ravens: 65.1% completion 290 yards 3 TDs 2 INTs

More interceptions than one would like but those are not stats of a mediocre or struggling QB, especially if you consider it was a season that saw him on a new team, in a new scheme, new receivers, and just returning from injury.

I do think your argument for playing a tough division makes a team better prepared for the playoffs is correct but you have to play the teams on the schedule. We can't help that the raiders, chiefs, and chargers have looked like crap for the past several years.

 

[bsanko]

I'd say the Broncos have a MUCH better chance dominating the AFC West than the Steelers have at dominating the AFC North. I'd also say Denver has a much better shot at making the playoffs than Pittsburgh does too.

One person doesn't a defense make.

I never said the Steelers were going to win their Div. Pitt continues to struggle to keep people healthy and they continue to pick up a bunch of old farts. No doubt, it's mind boggling. However, the Steelers will do better this year even if Big Ben goes down now that they have a decent backup QB.

As for the Broncos, I like Payton a lot and think he is a heck of a QB. He is 100 times better than horse-face Elway. Vonn played a big role in Denver's success last year and it will show while he is out. You all are right, your schedule is one of the lightest in the NFL. You have to admit that losing Elvis to Balt. only adds salt to the wounds.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I never said the Steelers were going to win their Div. Pitt continues to struggle to keep people healthy and they continue to pick up a bunch of old farts. No doubt, it's mind boggling. However, the Steelers will do better this year even if Big Ben goes down now that they have a decent backup QB.

As for the Broncos, I like Payton a lot and think he is a heck of a QB. He is 100 times better than horse-face Elway. Vonn played a big role in Denver's success last year and it will show while he is out. You all are right, your schedule is one of the lightest in the NFL. You have to admit that losing Elvis to Balt. only adds salt to the wounds.

Only in the way he was lost. Otherwise, Elvis' production was replaced rather easily in the draft and FA. Big knock on Dumervil is run defense. The Ravens will find that out soon enough though. Miller's absence will be felt, no doubt. However, I feel we now have the depth to survive it without too big a hit to the W-L record.

 

[Tgann69]

@Dumler,BroncosR0k,Broncos 6482,BobGnarly,... Are you really trying to use the performance of playing each team in the AFCN "once" in a year to extrapolate that Peyton would do really well always against the AFCN teams? That's laughable. If Peyton played these teams 6 times a year he would have lower numbers to say anything else means you don't understand what great defenses can do to stats.

You cannot compare the AFCW to the AFCN their only ONE good team in the AFCW and that's the Broncos...Can you imagine if KC was replaced with Pittsburgh and Oakland was replaced with Baltimore in the AFCW now you can imagine what its like to be Balt. CIncy or Pitt.

@Walkerboh....Losing Dumervil was HUGE for the Broncos and you cannot replace 38 sacks in 3 years with rookies or depth add the loss of Vonn Miller and that accounts for 31 sacks from just last year gone in the first 6 games. I think its the Broncos that will find out soon enough about pass rush and the Ravens defense picking up Canty and Spears both looked dominant pushing up the field against the run thusfar...Plus we have back our best CB in Lad Webb... gonna be a great game in Denver.

 

[BobGnarly]

So we're not supposed to use the only indicator of how his record would be had he played in the division. But we're supposed to use some formula that only you know to calculate his W/L total, yeah alright.

 

[Broncosr0k]

TGann,

So Gnarly points out Manning's record over the course of the career and you still cannot accept it? How many games minimum does he need? 50?

As for making up for Doom and Von, we are not trying to cover 30 sacks in 6 games. Von will be back, so we cover for him for 6 games only. As for Doom, he put up like 10-11 sacks last year. That is not impossible to replace, especially considering teams will focus on Von not Doom's replacement when Von gets back. Shaun Phillips was brought in and he had like 9 sacks last year. Wolfe should see more production this year and Quanterus Smith is a pass-rushing specialist that could very well be Doom 2.

I think there will be some drop off, mostly from not having Von for 6 games but I think many people are making way too big of a deal about it. You guys are acting like those who replace these two will not get any sacks at all which is wishful thinking.

 

[WalkerBoh]

@Walkerboh....Losing Dumervil was HUGE for the Broncos and you cannot replace 38 sacks in 3 years with rookies or depth add the loss of Vonn Miller and that accounts for 31 sacks from just last year gone in the first 6 games. I think its the Broncos that will find out soon enough about pass rush and the Ravens defense picking up Canty and Spears both looked dominant pushing up the field against the run thusfar...Plus we have back our best CB in Lad Webb... gonna be a great game in Denver.

Doesn't matter what Canty and Spears can do if opposing offenses are able to run away from them and towards Dumervil. Two men still can only do so much.

Losing Dumervil wasn't "HUGE" as you put it, simply because he has some glaring deficiencies (which you will soon find out). He tends to disappear against the better LT's in the league, and has difficulty stopping the run. And as mentioned earlier, Dumervil had 11 sacks last season, but guess what? We picked up a veteran who had 9. As for the other two sacks, I think the rest of the depth can take up that slack. Was it hard to let him go? Sure. But he's far from elite and can be replaced. Miller's absence will be felt, but he's also not the only one on our line capable of getting to the QB. And he'll be back in October. Wolfe had 6 last season as a rookie. I'm willing to bet he can improve on that number. Youth is where it's at in the NFL, and our youth is still developing. Heck, I haven't even mentioned Smith and Williams yet. It'll be a big mistake if Baltimore takes the Denver defense sans Miller lightly.

 

[cdumler7]

@Dumler,BroncosR0k,Broncos 6482,BobGnarly,... Are you really trying to use the performance of playing each team in the AFCN "once" in a year to extrapolate that Peyton would do really well always against the AFCN teams? That's laughable. If Peyton played these teams 6 times a year he would have lower numbers to say anything else means you don't understand what great defenses can do to stats.

You cannot compare the AFCW to the AFCN their only ONE good team in the AFCW and that's the Broncos...Can you imagine if KC was replaced with Pittsburgh and Oakland was replaced with Baltimore in the AFCW now you can imagine what its like to be Balt. CIncy or Pitt.

@Walkerboh....Losing Dumervil was HUGE for the Broncos and you cannot replace 38 sacks in 3 years with rookies or depth add the loss of Vonn Miller and that accounts for 31 sacks from just last year gone in the first 6 games. I think its the Broncos that will find out soon enough about pass rush and the Ravens defense picking up Canty and Spears both looked dominant pushing up the field against the run thusfar...Plus we have back our best CB in Lad Webb... gonna be a great game in Denver.

So somebody presents you with great evidence not only from last season of how Peyton has done against the AFC North but throughout his career and that is still not enough for you? I know that you are naïve but I thought you weren't this big of an idiot that you would completely ignore facts over years upon years that show Peyton has done just fine against the AFC North. I think maybe it is you that doesn't know much about football as you have proven over and over again on this board.

Anyway onto your next point about Dumervil. They replaced a guy who had 10.5 sacks with a guy that had 9.5 sacks at an 1/8 of the cost. Hmmm seems like a pretty smart move by the Broncos. They still have a great pass rusher but lots more money to spend elsewhere such as adding DRC, Vasquez, resigning Clady, and adding Wes Welker. I have seen Ravens fans argue that letting Bolden go was a smart move because the money then helped bring in other players well you are not the only team that lets overpaid veterans walk to better afford more talent for the team (and at least the Broncos used some of that money to bring in somebody who could at least help replace some of the talent lost in Dumervil...Who is catching passes from Flacco this year?).

I agree the Von Miller suspension will hurt but it is not like the Broncos only had a great defense last year. They are expected to have a top 5 offense once again if not the top offense in the NFL and Fox throughout his career as a coach has a 38-3 record when his offense has scored more than 26 points per game...Hmm Peyton has averaged over that throughout his career and did last year with less weapons on offense. I think the team will do just fine. I mean it is not like they are playing a lot of the top teams in the league those first 6 games. I mean seriously they are playing bottom feeders like the Ravens for goodness sake (ok maybe that was a little below the belt but couldn't help myself). Ok so maybe more like Jacksonville, Oakland, and Philly. They started out last season 3-3 and finished just fine and again they are playing in the AFC West. Not like they have a ton of competition for top team in the division.

 

[Tgann69]

So I see Denver does love a winner! Well played Denver well played indeed. I know I can speak for Ravensnation when I say what an honor it is for Flacco to be worshipped by your fanbase and stadium.
a 50ft. Banner no less? You guys love a Super bowl MVP i see. lol

 

[cdumler7]

So I see Denver does love a winner! Well played Denver well played indeed. I know I can speak for Ravensnation when I say what an honor it is for Flacco to be worshipped by your fanbase and stadium.
a 50ft. Banner no less? You guys love a Super bowl MVP i see. lol

So your response after being proven idiotic is to focus on a poster the NFL decided to hang up and does every year. I guess the NFL felt bad that even the city of Baltimore could care less about the Ravens and give them the right to a home game.

 

[Tgann69]

No that's not my response it was me congratulating your fanbase for having Super Bowl MVP banner on your stadium it's been a while.

 

[cdumler7]

No that's not my response it was me congratulating your fanbase for having Super Bowl MVP banner on your stadium it's been a while.

Well somebody had to feel bad for the guy because your own city wouldn't do it. Usually not a good sign when your own city could care less about the team even after winning the Superbowl. Real great group of fans in that city if they can't even support a winner. I hate the Raiders but at least even when they suck their city shows more support for their team than Baltimore does for theirs

 

[bsanko]

TGANN brings up some valid points. You should know that it kills me to say it because we go back several years going back and forth. However, I know the Broncos very well from living in Lakewood from 2004 - 2012 and have seen many games.

The reference TGANN brings up with the AFCW doesn't come close to AFCN. While the Broncos have had great success against the AFCN the past few years, the Broncos will continue to dominate until the other POS teams become better. I can also see the Chiefs getting better in a year or two. As for Oakland or San Diego, who the hell knows. The AFCN will have Balt, Pitt and Cincy battling for top spots for several more years to come.

As for Denver, they will continue to do well. However, they are showing some signs of dire needs of replacements. Especially with Champ on the down hill. I will give the Broncos credit, they did well with drafts ever since horse-face Elway took over. Fox is a hell of a coach.

As for Balt, they too have done well. At first I thought they were finished after losing some key people after winning the SB, but they have picked up some key players. If Balt doesn't do well this year, it will because of Flacco not playing well.

To be honest with you all, I wish Denver and Balt would be later in the season vice the first game. It will be a great game. I will be watching for sure.

 

[Broncosr0k]

Bsanko,

TGann is arguing that Manning would not be great in the AFCN like he has been in other divisions. We gave facts that this is not the case. TGann's point is not valid.

However, they are showing some signs of dire needs of replacements. Especially with Champ on the down hill. I will give the Broncos credit, they did well with drafts ever since horse-face Elway took over. Fox is a hell of a coach.

You could make that same argument about all 32 teams. No team has a perfect roster and never will, this is not Madden.

 

[Tgann69]

@Bsanko ...its true and you and u I both know it.

Its simple if Manning or Brady played in a division with more competition like the AFCN wek in and week out they wouldn't perform as well. Playing the whole AFCN schedule once every couple years isn't the same as playing IN IT. Playing in the AFCN means you play 3 top 10 defenses most years 6 times a year. You think that Oakland or KC or SD bring that? Are you kidding me?

The AFCN is like the SEC in football. The defenses beat the hell out of the offenses and teams rarely come out of the SEC with a perfect record but make no mistake about it. When the SEC has a team that has 1 or 2 losses and they play a team like Ohio State with a perfect record in a bowl game its usually more physical then these teams can handle. The level of competition and bar is higher on defense. Get real their is a reason the AFCN has the best defenses year in and year out and its bc usually they give up nothing. Can you imagine having to face them twice a year when they know exactly whats coming it would like playing the Raiders fantasy team every 2 weeks. lol!