Monday, September 4, 2017

My 2017 Broncos Prediction

As a long time Bronco fan I'm not too optimistic about the upcoming season.  Here are my annual predictions:


Sep. 11    Chargers    Los Angeles Chargers  
LOSS - Chargers are better than a lot of people think.  They have a good young defense, a veteran quarterback in Philip Rivers, and a good group of receivers.  Keenan Allen has burned the Broncos before and he's healthy now heading into week 1.  I think the Broncos will take a few games to adjust to a new offensive system.
Sep. 17    Cowboys    Dallas Cowboys
WIN - I'm assuming Ezekial Elliott will miss this game (suspended).  The Broncos defense wins this one as 2nd year Cowboy QB Dak Prescott struggles against the No Fly Zone
Sep. 24    Bills    at Buffalo Bills
WIN Bills are terrible this year
Oct. 1    Raiders    Oakland Raiders 
WIN The offense starts to get it in gear with a win over the arch rival Raiders
Oct. 15    Giants    New York Giants 
WIN Now we are rolling!  The Broncos build on their early season momentum to go to 4-1.
Oct. 22    Chargers    at Los Angeles Chargers
LOSS See game 1 - Chargers are better this year
Oct. 30    Chiefs    at Kansas City Chiefs
LOSS Chiefs are my pick to win the divison
Nov. 5    Eagles    at Philadelphia Eagles 
LOSS It seems every year the Broncos lose to a mediocre team on the road.  This year it's in Philly.
Nov. 12    Patriots    New England Patriots 
LOSS Patriots just too good this year to overcome their traditional struggles in the Mile Hi City
Nov. 19    Bengals    Cincinnati Bengals
WIN Broncos get back on track with a quality win over the Bengals
Nov. 26    Raiders    at Oakland Raiders
LOSS The Raiders outscore the Broncos
Dec. 3    Dolphins    at Miami Dolphins
LOSS The Broncos wish they had hired Miami coach Adam Gase when they had the chance.
Dec. 10    Jets    New York Jets
WIN Jets are even worse than the Bills this year
Dec. 14    Colts    at Indianapolis Colts 
LOSS Indy has not been kind to the Broncos in recent years
Dec. 24    Redskins    at Washington Redskins
LOSS The season downturn continues with another road loss
Dec. 31    Chiefs    Kansas City Chiefs
WIN Like last year's finale against Oakland, the Broncos win the last game of the year at home with the Chiefs resting some of their regulars for the playoffs.
 
OVERALL RECORD: 7 wins 9 losses
 
This year will be similar to Josh McDaniel's first year, where the team got off to a surprising 6-0 start under a new coach before fading in the second half of the season (finishing 8-8 that year). I think Vance Joseph will be a better coach than McDaniels but this team will continue to struggle offensively.  The defense will be solid.