Game by Game

I know my faithful readers are dying to find out how many games I think the Broncos can win this year. With that in mind I am going to give a game by game prediction. Please hold your enthusiasm.

Game 1: @ Cincinnati
A healthy Carson Palmer could be trouble for the Broncos in their new defensive scheme. Add a speedy Lavernaus Coles to Chad Johnson ( I'm with you Caleb)and they could be tough to cover. But I am going to hope that Kyle Orton's first game ends something like Jake the Snake's first. Plummer's was also against Cincy. He threw 3 picks but the Broncos D and running game got them a win. I feel Orton turning it over is a forgone conclusion, but a win might not be out of the question.
Win: Broncos 20-17

Game 2: Cleveland
Here's to hoping that the Broncos can pick on first year starter Brady Quinn. That Braylon Edwards continues to drop everything thrown to him. That the Brown's defense is as bad as last year. All those together and I think we can win this one. Home opener too.
Win: Broncos 24-13

Game 3: @ Oakland
I for one want to see Jamarcus Russell start. Jeff Garcia simply wins. Jamarcus Russell can throw it a mile, but is inaccurate and immoble. Let's just hope we aren't dead last in run defense against Mcfadden and Fargas. Pound the football, and stay away from throwing to Asougma and we should be alright.
Win: Broncos 28-17

Game 4: Dallas
Now here comes the worst stretch. 7 of our next 8 games are against teams who made the playoffs last year. We could easily lose all 7 of those. I think Dallas will be better without the distraction of TO and put together a decent season. If Roy Williams steps up, they will be a contender. And they will beat the Broncos, home game or not.
Loss: Cowboys 31-14

Game 5: New England
I would so like to whip up on the Patriots for the beating we took at Foxboro on Monday night. I just don't see it happening. They return most their key players and add some dude named Brady. Here's to another spanking.
Loss: Patriots 34-17

Game 6: @ San Diego
For some reason San Diego is in our heads and owning us. 52 points we surrendered in the season finale might be a small indicator. Even if Tomlinson is down this year, Sproles is there to run around everybody. Merriman is back. Let's hope its quick and painless.
Loss: 41-21

Game 7: @ Baltimore
Our new offensive system against one of the best defenses of the decade. Let's just hope Flacco has the sophomore slump and we can keep it close. I still think the Broncos will drop this one on the road. At least if Marshall actually suits up for us, he might know the playbook by now.
Loss: Ravens 16-13

Game 8: Pittsburg
Defending champs. Be sweet to nock them off, but they can score and defend as well as anyone in the league. They lost almost no one and looked poised to go deep into the postseason again. The Broncos will just be a stepping stone along the way. At this point Orton will have as many turnovers as touchdowns. We will probably be through our 5th running back. On the bright side, Eddie Royal will be in the top 10 in catches, yards, and touchdowns at this point.
Loss: Steelers 31-10

Game 9: @ Washington
I really don't know where the Redskins will fit in this season. Haynesworth should help and Portis will get his yards. Campbell has the same offense for consecutive for the first time in his career. I really think the Broncos could win this, but I think I will give the slight edge to the home team. Running the ball will be tough. Orton can move the ball but can he do it without turnovers.
Loss: Redskins 17-14

Game 10: San Diego
I would like to think that we can win all division games at home, but as last years 31-14 drubbing at home to the Raiders says, we can't. Even with that being said, this is going to be my upset pick of the year. The bad blood between the Charges and Broncos has gotten worse each year. I think the Broncos will rise up after getting destroyed at San Diego earlier in the year. Tomlinson will be dinged up by now, and Philip Rivers will try to do to much. Broncos will pull out a thriller like week 2 of 2008.
Win: Broncos 37-34

Game 11: NY Giants
The G-Men have a very good pass rush. Orton has not done well with pressure. We might even have Simms in by now. Doesn't really matter, cuz both with face pressure all day. The key will be establishing a running game to keep them honest. Also cannot let Brandon Jacobs run over us, Ahmed Bradshaw around us, and Derrick Ward by us. If we do that we might have a shot. Not like Eli Manning will beat us or something. We might be doomed on this one. Hoping the home crowd will be a 12th man.
Loss: Giants 24-17

Game 12: @Kansas City
KC was one of the worst teams in the league last year, but that didn't stop us from loosing badly to them. They too are employing a new coach and a new system. The key to this matchup will be the team that has bought into their new system first. I think the Broncos have better players at more postitions but I will give this one to the Chiefs cuz they almost always play thier best game of the year at home against the Broncos.
Loss: Chiefs 28-24

Game 13: @Indianapolis
Many people are curious to see how the Colts adjust to a new coach and losing some key players. I think they will be fine as long as Peyton Manning and Bob Sanders stays healthy. Freeney and Mathis will apply the pressure from the ends all game. I do not believe this game will be close at all. I just hope we at least tackle everyone and not watch them walk into the end zone. Marvin Harrison is gone so we should be alright. I am also hoping that by this time Knowshown Moreno will be in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. I could be a dreamer but oh well.
Loss: Colts 34-14

Game 14: Oakland
We had better win at home against the Raiders. Enough said.
Win: Broncos 31-21

Game 15: @ Philadelphia
Unless Michael Vick screws up the team the Eagles should be positioning themselves for the postseason. This will be an important game at home against the Broncos. And although they might not be the best they have the two fastest recievers in the league with Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Westbrook, Curtis, and McNabb make them potent offense for sure. Hopefully they will miss Dawkins and we can score some points on them.
Loss: Eagles 35-24

Game: Kansas City
It will be a long and tough season. But we will win the season finale at home against the Chiefs.
Win: Broncos 34-17

By the end of the year we will see some improvements that will get us excited about next year. Moreno will make people look foolish, Alponso Smith will actually grow taller than 5'9, Eddie Royal will make the pro bowl, Orton will throw more touchdowns than interceptions, somebody will actually sack the quarterback, Champ Bailey will get more than one interception, Brandon Marshall will get another 100 receptions, Broncos won't be last in run defense, and Josh McDaniels won't alienate any more players.

Final Record: 6-10

There you have it. Game by game rundown of the Dever Broncos season. Hope you made it through. If you agree or disagree let me know.