Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos knew their opponents. Now they know when they play them. However, they will be tested early on this season, especially after the opener, where they will become road warriors.
While the game against the Baltimore Ravens to start the season will be a tricky one to start off the season, the Broncos will be tested early on the road. Four of the Broncos’ first six games are away from Denver, Colorado. The road schedule starts early, in fact four days after the season opener.
Once the Broncos finish their game against the Ravens, they will have four days to prepare for an early road test against the Kansas City Chiefs. I predicted that the Broncos would have an early season match up at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 5. However, the schedule made that match up three weeks early and on Thursday Night. I have a feeling Arrowhead Stadium will be rocking in prime time. This will not be an easy task.
Here is the Denver Broncos full 2015 regular season schedule! Can't come soon enough! #DenverBroncos pic.twitter.com/p1M5lYljhP
— Bad News Broncos 🧢 (@BadNewsBroncos) April 22, 2015
After Arrowhead, the Broncos get ten days to rest. But they square off against the Detroit Lions in prime time as the two teams square off on Sunday Night Football. The atmosphere will be electric as the Lions will be playing their first Sunday night game at home since NBC took over the Sunday Night game. Calvin Johnson will be difficult to stop, but it will be interesting to see how the Broncos do at Ford Field.
The Broncos then get a home game against the Minnesota Vikings before they embark on the second half of their road challenge. While the Broncos next two opponents do not seem like a threat on paper, going on the road is never easy in the league. The team travels to play their rival, the Oakland Raiders. Fans in Oakland are ruthless and will not let up in the Black Hole, especially early in the season. The Broncos cannot afford to be swallowed up in the Black Hole.
The Broncos end their road warrior challenge against the Cleveland Browns. The Dawg Pound will be howling all game as it could be possible the Broncos will get their first look at Johnny Manziel. The Broncos have had an up and down time with mobile quarterbacks. If they cannot keep Manziel in check, this could become a dangerous game.
The good part about having this early road challenge is that it will take place in the first six weeks of the season. It will really test the Broncos and allow them to knock off any rust and kinks. The good thing is that after the road challenge, they have the bye in Week 7 (which I did predict correctly) which will allow them to heal any bumps and bruises they encounter and get ready for a second half schedule.
Broncos Country won’t get to see a whole lot of their Broncos in the early going of the season, but perhaps the road tests will give them motivation once they come back home. Good luck out their road warriors!
Next: Denver Broncos 2015 Schedule: AFC West Matchup Preview