Willis McGahee runs against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Now that things have settled down a bit after the draft, let’s get back to looking ahead at the Broncos 2012 schedule. We will continue to take a game-by-game look at the season that the team has in front of them. 

Just like last season, the last game of the Broncos regular season takes place at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last January, the Chiefs won 7-3, but the Broncos got some help within the AFC West to make the playoffs.

This game could be very relevant not so much in terms of making the playoffs, but more so in securing home field advantage.

The Chiefs, who were hampered by injuries last season, ranked 31st on offense (15th in rushing and 25th in passing). On defense, they were 12th in points allowed (26th in rush defense and 6th in pass defense).

Free agency saw the Chiefs bring in some good talent in former Broncos Peyton Hillis and Brady Quinn. The team also picked up tight end Kevin Boss and offensive tackle Eric Winston. The Chiefs’ backfield is one to be frightened of.

The Chiefs used the draft to stack their lines. They picked the numbers King, DT Dontari Poe, with their first round pick (11th overall). Then it was two guards (Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson) to beef up the offensive line.

Out of all the teams in the AFC West, the Chiefs appear to be the sleeper team. Should they stay healthy, they could challenge the Broncos in a big way.

Early Prediction: Broncos – 27 Chiefs – 21.

Chiefs Leaders in 2011:

Matt Cassel – 160-for-269 (59.5%), 1,713 passing yards, TDs, 9 INTs

Jackie Battle – 597 yards (39.8 per game), 2 TDs

Dwayne Bowe – 81 receptions, 1,159 yards, 5 TDs, 1 fumbles

Derrick Johnson – 131 tackles

Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr – 4 INTs each

Tamba Hali – 12 sacks

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Peyton Hillis (40) in action against the Baltimore Ravens. (US-PRESSWIRE)

The Cleveland Browns won’t be putting the franchise tag on former Denver Broncos running back Peyton Hillis, but they reportedly would like to see him return to Cleveland.

In fact, Hillis has grown frustrated with teams not willing to give him a long term deal. Hillis has changed agents four times since the start of the 2011 season, and at the end of last season, the fifth year back was even considering retirement and joining the CIA. That’s why Hillis plans to dive head first into free agency with the hope of signing a long-term contract with a team.

Hillis had his best season in 2010 with the Browns when he rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 61 receptions and 2 receiving touchdowns.

He averaged a career low 3.6 yards per carry in 2011 and played in just 10 games. That’s why it will be hard for him to secure the kind of long-term deal that he’s looking for.

The Broncos need a complimentary back, but the team likely won’t pay the kind of money that Hillis is asking for. Who is to say that Hillis would even want to come back to an organization that was so willing to ship him out of town, especially after a successful 2009 season?

It’s too bad that Josh McDaniels wrote his ticket out of town. Had he still been around, our running back problems would have been solved last season when the Broncos signed Willis McGahee.

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Eddie Royal runs after the catch against the Bengals in 2009. (Denver Broncos)

The Denver Broncos look to secure their first win of the regular season when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon. The Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns last week 27-17. The last time these two teams met in 2009, an immaculate reception was made when Kyle Orton heaved a ball intended for Brandon Marshall was tipped by a Bengals player, and caught by Brandon Stokley who made his way to the endzone to take a 13-7 victory as regulation wound down. The Broncos have beat the Bengals 8 times in a row at home. The Broncos don’t want to have to rely on luck this time. They want/need to come out strong on both sides of the ball after being embarrassed on a national stage.

Offense

Broncos: It’s all about converting in the red zone for the Broncos. The offense only put up 13 points against the Raiders, as one touchdown was the result of Eric Decker’s 90-yard  punt return. Kyle Orton had 304 passing yards, but the team as a whole had just 38 rushing yards. The Bengals held a Peyton Hillis-led Browns team to just 83 yards (Hillis was held to 57 yards on 17 carries). With the possibility of Knowshon Moreno sitting this one out, the team may move practice squad player Jeremiah Johnson up to help Willis McGahee with carries. Brandon Lloyd has not practiced all week with a strained groin.

Bengals: Andy Dalton was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski (Sound familiar? Former Raider backup) in the second half of Sunday’s game. Dalton hurt his wrist and didn’t throw any passes in practice until Thursday. Head coach Marvin Lewis said that Dalton will play on Sunday against the Broncos. In his NFL debut, Dalton went 10-for-15 for 81 yards and 1 TD. Not bad for just one half of play. The Bengals leading receiver was Jermaine Gresham and he had 6 catches for 58 yards and 1 TD. Cedric Benson broke out for 121 yards rushing on 25 carries and 1 TD.
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