Preseason is History - Time to Predict Broncos 2015 Record

[SpringStein]

Optimistic? Pessimistic? Vegas line is 10.5.

Here's the schedule:

Sun, Sep 13 vs Ravens 2:25 PM

Thu, Sep 17 @ Chiefs 6:25 PM

Sun, Sep 27 @ Lions 6:30 PM

Sun, Oct 4 vs Vikings 2:25 PM

Sun, Oct 11 @Raiders 2:25 PM

Sun, Oct 18 @Browns 11:00 AM

Sun, Nov 1 vs Packers 6:30 PM

Sun, Nov 8 @ Colts 2:25 PM

Sun, Nov 15 vs Chiefs 2:25 PM

Sun, Nov 22 @ Bears 11:00 AM

Sun, Nov 29 vs Patriots 6:30 PM

Sun, Dec 6 @ Chargers 2:05 PM

Sun, Dec 13 vs Raiders 2:05 PM

Sun, Dec 20 @ Steelers 2:25 PM

Mon, Dec 28 vs Bengals 6:30 PM

Sun, Jan 3 vs Chargers 2:25 PM

 

[SpringStein]

Yea, I know - the last option should have been 2-14 or worse.

 

[randymon]

I kinda favor 12-4 myself. Some tough opponents at home will help ( GB + NE for starters ). Going to throw in Raven gm while I'm at it and say CJ runs for a buck fifty,3td s and D gets 6 sacks,1 pk and 2 fumble recoveries. Wahoooooo !

 

[SpiritOf77]

I'm going with 10-6, which is conservative . . . .

 

[WalkerBoh]

I'm playing the part of the Ultimate Optimist ;-D

 

[iknowftbll]

I did this back in May and went with 14-2. While that may appear overly optimistic, I think it's doable. It's also what I consider a "best case" scenario for the regular season. Here's my post from May:

Broncos 2015 Game by Game Predictions

 

[iknowftbll]

^ I'm not re-thinking my picks for the Broncos but I'd probably pick a slightly different slate of playoff teams if I were to do that today. I think one of Miami, Buffalo or Houston gets in this year. I'd stay with the Chiefs as a WC, and as for the AFC North...that division is just impossible to predict.

 

[SpringStein]

^ I'm not re-thinking my picks for the Broncos but I'd probably pick a slightly different slate of playoff teams if I were to do that today. I think one of Miami, Buffalo or Houston gets in this year. I'd stay with the Chiefs as a WC, and as for the AFC North...that division is just impossible to predict.

Go with the Bills - come on you can cheer for them!

 

[SpringStein]

I did this back in May and went with 14-2. While that may appear overly optimistic, I think it's doable. It's also what I consider a "best case" scenario for the regular season. Here's my post from May:

Broncos 2015 Game by Game Predictions

That was a very well thought out prediction. Pittsburgh is a team that tends to play better as the year goes along, so I agree that is a likely loss. I wouldn't look past Detrot as a guaranteed win too quickly, early on in Detroit will be tough. Like you, my hope is to come out of at KC and at Detroit with only one loss.

And like you, I like the fact that Baltimore, NE, GB, and Indy will all be at home. It's a tough schedule, but (finally) it seems we got the majority of the tougher games at altitude.

 

[CEH]

11-5 Not convince Manning has the arm strength , league has caught up to him (press man make Manning beat you over the top) or that Kubes will have to adjust his offense to the immobile Manning. I loved the 78 yard bomb this last game. Not seeing Manning being able to take the top off the defense like Brock did.

Our Running game and Defense will keep these games close. McManus is still a ??? in close games.

 

[SpringStein]

I believe 12-4 is the base - and could go up a win or two. So I voted 12-4.

 

[iknowftbll]

11-5 Not convince Manning has the arm strength , league has caught up to him (press man make Manning beat you over the top) or that Kubes will have to adjust his offense to the immobile Manning. I loved the 78 yard bomb this last game. Not seeing Manning being able to take the top off the defense like Brock did.

Our Running game and Defense will keep these games close. McManus is still a ??? in close games.

I consider 11-5 to be the floor for this team. Which is saying a lot because 11-5 is a pretty good finish for any team. If the offense struggles early maybe one of those early games I called as a win is a loss. Maybe one of the Packers or Patriots sneaks in a win in Denver.

But if the defense stays healthy and aggressive I really don't see this team any worse than 11-5. OTOH I've seen predictions of 10-6 (even 9-7) for this team from analysts in sports media. The Broncos are not the consensus pick to win the AFC West, with the Chiefs getting generally as many votes as the Broncos and the Chargers getting a couple as well. So maybe I am overly confident in this team (likely I am) with my picks. I just think something awesome is brewing in Dove Valley.

 

[CEH]

I consider 11-5 to be the floor for this team. Which is saying a lot because 11-5 is a pretty good finish for any team. If the offense struggles early maybe one of those early games I called as a win is a loss. Maybe one of the Packers or Patriots sneaks in a win in Denver.

But if the defense stays healthy and aggressive I really don't see this team any worse than 11-5. OTOH I've seen predictions of 10-6 (even 9-7) for this team from analysts in sports media. The Broncos are not the consensus pick to win the AFC West, with the Chiefs getting generally as many votes as the Broncos and the Chargers getting a couple as well. So maybe I am overly confident in this team (likely I am) with my picks. I just think something awesome is brewing in Dove Valley.

Defense may have to carry this team early on. What we need is a team coming together late.

 

[Mingo]

I went with the standard John Elway era 13 wins. This Bronco team is talented and stacked.

What I saw most encouraging in the pre-season was Bronco players playing with enthusiasm.

 

[MrDoc420]

I went 12-4. I think out losses will be @ Detroit, Green Bay, @ Indy and @ Pittsburgh.

Just my opinion. They'll win 12 games.

 

[randymon]

I went with the standard John Elway era 13 wins. This Bronco team is talented and stacked.

What I saw most encouraging in the pre-season was Bronco players playing with enthusiasm.

That right there is key. Saw too many times last couple yrs they acted like a team on valium too many times especially in big games. Hopefully we don't see that 1 frigging time this year!

 

[iknowftbll]

That right there is key. Saw too many times last couple yrs they acted like a team on valium too many times especially in big games. Hopefully we don't see that 1 frigging time this year!

The Super Bowl and last year's playoff game come to mind...

 

[randymon]

The Super Bowl and last year's playoff game come to mind...

And like every Monday nite game or other primetime gsm.

 

[cdumler7]

That is what I have loved though at least this preseason is there seems to be some life to this team. A few different people in the media wrote about this very thing that the team just seems to have been rejuvenated this year. They said that this is the most dancing and yelling they have seen out of the team. Von Miller especially looks like a man on a mission more so than any other time in his career.

For me I am always the optimist but I have us going 14-2. After watching this defense especially I feel more comfortable with that thought process. To me I see our greatest weakness on defense being against teams that can run well and right now looking at it I only see 3 teams that we play being in the top-10 in yards per carry. On the flip side of that we play 6 of the bottom-10 teams in yards per carry rushing. We play some great QB's but that plays right into the strength of our defense.

Offensively I am a little concerned but the OL and how they played this preseason has me feeling much better about how this team will handle things this year. They have some tough tests to start out the year but that is when I hope to see us stay a little more conservative and put the ball in our Pro Bowl RB's hands to go out and make some plays. I'm just liking the fact that I don't think we have to have Manning have an amazing day on the field to win games.

 

[WalkerBoh]

And like every Monday nite game or other primetime gsm.

I wouldn't say that. The Ravens game a couple years ago was Prime time.