2016 Broncos: 6-10 or 7-9?

[cdumler7]

A "fluke" is a 20 yard FG banging off the upright or Eric Decker tripping on his own in the open field - a fluke is one isolated anomaly ..

An entire 16 game NFL season followed by two playoff games and a dominating Super Bowl victory is about as far from a "fluke" as can be .. Especially when you take into consideration the fact that one of the all time great QBs hit a wall midseason, making a first year coaching staff scramble to get a guy ready who had never started an NFL game ..

Last season's Bronco team and the SB victory was about as well earned and unfluky as they come

Oh I agree. I think it is ridiculous that Kubiak didn't finish top-3 in the Coach of the Year talk. For a first year coach he was walking into a very unique situation. A team that had made the playoffs 4 years in a row so if he does anything less than that then the decision to fire Fox and hire Kubiak is already questioned big time. Throw in a QB controversy with an over the hill HOF QB that doesn't fit your system and a young guy you have been grooming for years ready to step in. I mean it could have easily been a disaster of a season with the locker room completely divided and instead we saw a group completely united and playing for each other no matter which QB was starting. We saw a team that with their backs against the wall always seemed to find a way to win.

To me instead of the word Fluky I would use the words mentally strong. This team played their best football when the lights were brightest.

 

[iknowftbll]

To me instead of the word Fluky I would use the words mentally strong. This team played their best football when the lights were brightest.

That was probably the best thing about the team. It was a huge part of why I felt so certain they'd win the Super Bowl: Mental toughness. That defense never complained the offense repeatedly struggled, even failed. The players on offense never engaged in finger pointing or blaming someone else for their struggles but vowed to keep grinding through it. I believe a lesser team would have imploded. In fact, many predicted the Broncos would do just that, even as they got out to a 7-0 start. I recall after the Chiefs dropped them to 7-2 and Manning was out the dialogue that the Broncos would miss the playoffs hit full tilt.

This was one of the most satisfying seasons ever. That's sort of an obvious statement because they won the Super Bowl, but looking back, I wouldn't change a single 3 and out, interception, or loss. The story lines that developed along the way, Manning having to sit, then returning a shell of his former self but more determined than ever to finish a champion (and having the team to do it)...This was one of the most inspiring seasons on record for any team in the NFL. Not just the Broncos. The fact they utterly dominated a heavy hitter in the Super Bowl as opposed to a marginal team that got hot at the right time solidifies that. I think it's important to keep a record of the dialogue and doubt so many exhibited toward this team because it is part of the significance of the season. Some have referred to them as one of the worst ever SB champs. It's funny because to even be in that discussion you have to first be Super Bowl champs. Secondly, the Broncos themselves weren't a marginal team that got hot at the right moment. They were a team that beginning in the pre-season all the way through the playoffs repeatedly defied conventional NFL wisdom and proved doubters wrong. There were setbacks and things did not always go according to plan. The team had to overcome a lot of adversity to reach the ultimate prize.

And in my mind that is a big part of what makes them unique, even among Super Bowl champs.

 

[BigKen]

I agree with Southie.....10-6, worst case.

I don't think the defense will be severely affected.

It may take a few games to get the offense right. It's always difficult for a new quarterback to get his "self" working with the team unit. Doesn't matter if it's Paxton or Sanchez, it'll take a few weeks. You have to hope that the Broncos aren't playing the weak sisters or the iron during the first few weeks.

Believe me, no one knows who is who until about week 4.

 

[Mingo]

One thing this Bronco offense will have at its advantage is the league will not know completely what to expect - since - all agree the Broncos will play much closer to the Kubiak offense than last year's personnel allowed.

Now you may have a book on Kubiak from the Texans and the Ravens, but not with this group of personnel - so the Broncos may have the element of surprise in their favor early in the season - even with some new guys playing. Functionally, it appears to me with the new Oline and the returning guys - and with CJ and Booker the Broncos will be able to establish a rushing game - that sets up the passing game that much more.

 

[CEH]

Some ppl think

One thing this Bronco offense will have at its advantage is the league will not know completely what to expect - since - all agree the Broncos will play much closer to the Kubiak offense than last year's personnel allowed.

Now you may have a book on Kubiak from the Texans and the Ravens, but not with this group of personnel - so the Broncos may have the element of surprise in their favor early in the season - even with some new guys playing. Functionally, it appears to me with the new Oline and the returning guys - and with CJ and Booker the Broncos will be able to establish a rushing game - that sets up the passing game that much more.

Not to mention the addition of a fullback

Dennison happy with 'hard work' from rookies 

 

[Southieinnc]

You know - based on my track record - I'd love the Broncos anyway if they had a bad season (but I would be hard to be around).[/QUOTE]

 

[randymon]

14-2. Sanchez starts and goes 4-0 until he injures his neck when he head butts McGoverns butt on a blown play. Simian steps in a reels off 5 straight wins ( although it wasn't pretty but the running of Booker/Bibbs and a stout defense) keep Denver undefeated at 9-0. Simian then turns into turnover machine and Denver loses 2 straight games and Denver re-inserts a now healthy Sanchez but he is pulled in 3rd qtr in his 1st game back and Denver goes with Lynch who rallies Denver from a 13 point deficit and they win game on a McManus fg in OT. Lynch gets the nod from then on and goes undefeated with 10 tds passing,1 int. and almost 300 yrds rushing and 4 tds and is named MVP in SB and rookie of the year barely beating out teammate Booker for the honor. Sounds reasonable.

 

[Mingo]

14-2. Sanchez starts and goes 4-0 until he injures his neck when he head butts McGoverns butt on a blown play. Simian steps in a reels off 5 straight wins ( although it wasn't pretty but the running of Booker/Bibbs and a stout defense) keep Denver undefeated at 9-0. Simian then turns into turnover machine and Denver loses 2 straight games and Denver re-inserts a now healthy Sanchez but he is pulled in 3rd qtr in his 1st game back and Denver goes with Lynch who rallies Denver from a 13 point deficit and they win game on a McManus fg in OT. Lynch gets the nod from then on and goes undefeated with 10 tds passing,1 int. and almost 300 yrds rushing and 4 tds and is named MVP in SB and rookie of the year barely beating out teammate Booker for the honor. Sounds reasonable.

Yes - sounds like last year.

 

[Dr Cyanide 28]

I am thinking we range from 10-6 and 12-4 (completely dependent on injuries of course).

 

[megalodon30]

A "fluke" is... Eric Decker tripping on his own in the open field

A fluke? Yes. Funny? Also yes.

 

[CEH]

I could easily see 8-8 if the offense does not improve , the defense stays world class but the defense does not score 6 TDs. The offense needs at least 3 ppg more.