Reidy’s official Broncos season predictions
“Nothing like Jacksonville coming to town to break you out of a slump and the Broncos will break out big time against the woeful Jags. It will be a pounding to the tune of 38-10. WIN”
The Denver Broncos first season under Josh McDaniels was a magical time where expectations were low and win totals were expected to be even lower. No one thought the Broncos would be any good in that first year due to several factors including a first year coach who had a little dust up with the team’s Pro Bowl quarterback who was traded for one who was benched in favor of Rex Grossman.
But the Broncos got off to a hot 6-0 start and everyone who picked them to struggle, backed off their season predictions, modifying as they went along. But you can’t do that. When you pick a team’s schedule, you have to stick to it.
We recently ran down the Broncos schedule on the South Stands Denver Fancast and it was the first time I had given any thought to the schedule. I came up with a very generous 13-3 but wanted to take a closer look at the schedule and see if there was anything I was missing before the season actually started. Here now is that closer look.
Baltimore @ Denver
If they don’t win this game, the Broncos should just hit the road that night and wait out the scorn in New York because with the hype surrounding the game and how last season went, the bellyaching in Denver will be palpable if they lose. Let’s call it a WIN 31-24.
Denver @ NY Giants
Nothing to hype here as Peyton plays Eli at the site of this year’s Super Bowl. The Giants will be favored in this but I see the Broncos pulling out a last minute victory, taking home the WIN 24-20.
Oakland @ Denver
Any team worth its salt may give Denver a run for its money here after coming home from a road squeaker, but the Raiders are awful and will already be circling the drain at this point in the season, giving the Broncos a fairly easy WIN 31-17.
Philadelphia @ Denver
A bump in the road as a hot, fast paced Eagles team comes to Denver and outpaces the Broncos for a 20-24 LOSS.
Denver @ Dallas
Reeling from the team’s first loss, the Broncos get into a shootout with the feisty Dallas Cowboys in Texass and drop a disappointing one to Jerry’s Boyz 28-35. LOSS
Jackoffsonville @ Denver
Nothing like Jacksonville coming to town to break you out of a slump and the Broncos will break out big time against the woeful Jags. It will be a pounding to the tune of 38-10. WIN
Denver @ Indianapolis
Again, nothing to hype here aside from Manning returning to the house he built and Von Miller returning to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. No way Manning loses this game. Broncos WIN 28-20.
Redskins @ Denver
Does Mike Shanahan have the same revenge goal in mind as he returns to the city he won two Super Bowls in? Sure. But winning against this Denver team will be harder than the one he left in the hands of Josh McDaniels. RGIII rallies, but the Skins fall short in a 20-17 WIN for the Broncos.
Denver @ San Diego
San Diego, being just plain awful, doesn’t stand a chance. The Broncos will be fresh off the bye week, but it will still be closer than it should be however as the Broncos WIN 28-20.
Kansas City @ Denver
The Broncos main competition in the AFC West comes to Denver for the first part of the two meetings between the rivals and the Broncos hang on to WIN 20-14.
Denver @ New England
Either New England will be a shambles at this point or clicking along like they usually are. Clicking along is my guess and they hand the Broncos a LOSS, 31-27.
Denver @ Kansas City
Uh oh, two in a row. We can’t reasonably expect a Broncos team coming off a loss, to stay on the road and win in Kansas City in December. The odds are against them and the final score of 24-23 will prove it. LOSS
Tennessee @ Denver
The Titans have some good rushers, but they will have to throw to catch up in this one as the Broncos hit the gas down the stretch. A WIN 34-24.
San Diego @ Denver
Come on. Barring any major injuries, this is a blow out Broncos WIN 38-17.
Denver @ Houston
Houston will still be under the impression that it’s going somewhere this season and serve up a close LOSS for the Broncos 21-24.
Denver @ Oakland
Manning plays sparingly and For Those About to Brock mops up in a Broncos WIN 24-10.
Obviously a lot can go wrong or right in a season, but I’m confident the Broncos will go 11-5, attain an easy playoff berth and probably home field advantage for at least most of the playoffs. Is the Super Bowl in the team’s future? Could be. But while I won’t back off from this season prediction, I will reserve the right to forecast Super Bowl odds when the playoffs roll around. It’s the American way.
