Random Thoughts – 2014 Denver Bronco Preseason Schedule
By Craig Hurst
The Lombardi Trophy being hoisted by the Seattle Seahawks after beating Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. The Broncos quest for their third Lombardi Trophy begins in mid-August against the Seahawks in preseason game number one. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While the details aren’t entirely known, a brief glimpse into the 2014 Denver Broncos preseason schedule is a sign that the offseason is rapidly dissolving, and before you know it, football season will be here! From a coach’s perspective, the preseason is crucial because they are able to evaluate the players and hopefully choose players that will contribute to a championship season. From a fans perspective, preseason quenches our thirst for the NFL and only wants us make the regular season games to begin even more. Please continue reading for my random thoughts on the Broncos preseason schedule, as well as the teams they will face.
Seattle Seahawks (August 7-10 in Denver): The release of the offseason schedule has settled in a bit and opening up the 2014 season, even if it is preseason, against the Seahawks does not thrill me as much as I thought it would. The wound caused by the Super Bowl thrashing put on the Broncos by the Seahawks has not healed, and probably never will. Opening up the preseason against the Seahawks will only peel off the scab one more time. Bronco fans better get used to it, because it will only be worse when these two teams meet again during the regular season in Seattle because we will have to relive aspects of that game numerous times. The goal for this game – keep everyone healthy, score more than eight points – the total scored by the Broncos in the Super Bowl, and for Bronco fans to not lose their voice when they feel the need to unleash their Seahawk displeasure verbally because of Super Bowl XLVIII.
San Francisco 49ers (August 14-18 in San Francisco): The Broncos travel west to open up the 49ers new stadium. The 49ers, like the Seahawks, are one of the elite teams in the NFC, so I would love to see the Broncos crash the party and open the stadium with a loss for the 49ers. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter who wins so you just hope the Broncos stay healthy. There has been a lot of talk about these two teams practicing against each other during preseason/training camp, and they are set to face each other in the regular season also, so I would expect a very vanilla approach to the game.
Houston Texans (August 21-24 in Denver): Some say this is the most important preseason game of the four. The starters will get the most playing time in this game before taking the last preseason game basically off as the season approaches. That being said, remaining healthy is the key. As mentioned numerous times, in the big picture, these games mean nothing other than an opportunity for coaches to evaluate their personnel. It is never good when you lose a key player in a meaningless game.
Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, August 28 in Dallas): A homecoming for new Bronco, DeMarcus Ware. Other than that, there is not much to get excited about for this game. Scratch that, it’s an opportunity for the Broncos to beat “America’s Team” in their house and that’s always exciting. If you want to see the Bronco starters make sure you tune in for the opening of the game. Chances are the Broncos first string will only put in a series or two before trading the helmet for a baseball cap. Because the Broncos are traveling the last weekend of the preseason, chances are very good that the Broncos will not visit Seattle on Thursday, September 4th to open up the 2014 NFL season.
If the release of the preseason schedule excited you, wait a week or two, because the regular season schedule is coming. Then it gets real – the planning for the 2014 season can then begin, both for the teams, as well as the fans.
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