The 2009 preseason is about to come to a close and I think I have enough of an idea about the team to make some uneducated opinions on their season. I hope I am wrong, but I think it is going to be a tough year. Without further ado, here are my predictions for the 2009 Denver Broncos.
Week 1: Sunday, September 13th @ Cincinnati – Loss: I hate to say that we will start off with a loss but Cincinnati is not a “gimme”. I was torn between a loss here or at home versus Cleveland so I am giving us the home edge.
Week 2: Sunday, September 20th Cleveland – Win: See week 1, it was a toss up and I am giving us the edge because we are at home and might have a healthy QB by now.
Week 3: Sunday, September 27th @ Oakland – Win: Thank God for the AFC West or this season might be the Lions of 2008 for us. Oakland is somewhat of a mystery and their defense is solid but I don’t think they have any idea what their team identity is yet. Just like last year, we take it to them in their house.
Week 4: Sunday, October 4th Dallas – Loss: Dallas is tough on defense, strong on offense and is just more talented than Denver at this point from what I see. They should come in and expose the dink and dunk game for what it is. This is going to kick off an absolutely brutal stretch. I am on the fence with this game, but nothing I have seen makes me think Denver will pull it off.
Week 5: Sunday, October 11th New England – Loss: Brady is back, they are New England and they have a well-coached and talented team. Barring injury, they should have no problem with Denver.
Week 6: Monday, October 19th @ San Diego – Loss: San Diego has our number over the last few years, I don’t see that changing now. Merriman being back along with the addition of Larry English is a big plus for them and should make life tough on whoever the QB is for Denver.
Week 7: Bye Week – We won’t lose, then again we won’t win either. If anything, this is just the calm in the middle of the storm.
Week 8: Sunday, November 1st @ Baltimore – Loss: The Ravens have one of the top defenses in the league and a budding quarterback in Joe Flacco. Their running game is also very much improved and I don’t see this being much of a contest for them.
Week 9: Monday, November 9th Pittsburgh – Loss: As much as I would love for Denver to show something at home on Monday night, I just cannot see them getting past a team with such a great defense and efficient offense. I almost picked this as an upset but I cannot realistically go there at this point.
Week 10: Sunday, November 15th @ Washington – Win: Washington looks decent but I am not sold on Campbell under center. I think after the stretch of beat downs, Denver will be at the point where they will come together for some late-season improvements.
Week 11: Sunday, November 22nd San Diego – Loss: San Diego has made Denver their home away from home, taking us behind the shed on the last couple of visits. That won’t stop this year.
Week 12: Thursday, November 26th New York Giants – Win: I think the Giants lost enough key players and will be coming to Denver at a time where the Broncos are improving. They are a little overrated this year in my opinion, I look for Denver to take this despite being a sure underdog.
Week 13: Sunday, December 6th @ Kansas City – Loss: Denver and Kansas City will split the series, I am just giving each team their home games really. they are as big of a mess as we are right now. I don’t know if that makes me sad, or happy. Not to mention, their house is a tough place to play this time of year no matter who you are.
Week 14: Sunday, December 13th @ Indianapolis – Loss: The Colts are a talented team and play well at home, the nightmare against these guys will continue.
Week 15: Sunday, December 20th Oakland – Loss: It sounds backwards but I am sticking with what happened last year and saying Denver will have a let-down game at home against someone they should likely beat. Oakland’s defense and running game will be in full force by now, making for a tough game in Denver.
Week 16: Sunday, December 27th @ Philadelphia – Loss: Philadelphia is still tough defensively and has a dynamic offense. Combine that with having to play in their back yard which is a brutal place to play and Denver leaves with another loss.
Week 17: Sunday, January 3rd Kansas City – Win: Denver will finish the season on a high note and beat the Chiefs at home. Well, as high of a note as beating the Chiefs can be that is.
It pains me to have to say it, but my prediction for the team this year is 5 – 11.
I am sure I will get flamed by some, agreed with by others but this is going to be a tough year. I will say, I think we will see a lot of improvements and things to be excited about on both sides of the ball. The defense already looks better and will only improve with more time together. Part of my concern for the year is that the players have a lot to get used to with the new system and that will take some time.
If the team shows improvement and progress, I can accept a rough season. I hope that I am wrong but I do know one thing. 0 – 16 or 16 – 0, I will stick by the team and root for them every week.
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