Denver Broncos 2016: AFC West Preview – Week Two
By Craig Hurst
The Denver Broncos have a big matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in week two, hoping to end Andrew Luck’s success against this team…
The Denver Broncos opened the season one week ago with a rematch of Super Bowl 50; week two finds the Broncos at home once again, this time a rematch of the 2014 Divisional Playoff between the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
In addition to this match-up, the three other AFC West teams are in action as well; two at home and one on the road. Please continue reading for my random thoughts on all the games in week two featuring AFC West teams. Enjoy week two Bronco fans – let’s hope the Broncos can get another “W”!
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos: The Broncos have had some extra time off since they opened the season 1-½ weeks ago; hopefully they used that extra time to work on some of the holes or weaknesses that appeared against Carolina in week one.
I think the area most fans will point to is the Devontae Booker fumble and interceptions by Trevor Siemian, albeit it, one interception was tipped by a defensive lineman. All three turnovers occurred when the Broncos were driving and in range for at least a field goal attempt. It is cliché, but the Broncos have to do a better job protecting the football. I am still hoping that Booker continues to be a part of the running attack for the Broncos, although, putting the ball on the ground again may increase the length of his stay in the Kubiak doghouse.
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On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos will face another all-pro quarterback very similar in size to Cam Newton (6-5, 245 pounds); Andrew Luck is listed as 6-4, 240 pounds. At first glance, Newton appears to be more of a running threat, while Luck is the typical pro passing quarterback. Last week Luck completed 31 passes for 385 with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Colts 39-35 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Luck has faced the Broncos a total of four times, winning three of those games. The last time the Colts visited Denver was on January 11, 2015 for a divisional playoff game. The Colts won the game 24-13, bringing the 2014 Bronco season to an end. Luck didn’t have a spectacular day (27 completions, 43 pass attempts, 265 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) but it was enough to get the job done for the Colts.
Needless to say, another great performance by the Broncos defense will be required in order for the Broncos to remain undefeated.
For fans in attendance Sunday, the Broncos plan to unveil a banner representing the three numbers retired by the Broncos – Number 44 (Floyd Little), Number 7 (John Elway), and Number 18 (Frank Tripucka and Peyton Manning). The banner will be located on the left side of the south scoreboard.
Prediction: Denver 24, Indianapolis 21
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans: No doubt, the Chiefs will still be riding high after last week’s large come-from-behind victory over the San Diego Chargers plus my assumption is they have a lot of confidence when playing the Houston Texans on the road. Last season the Chiefs traveled to Houston to open the 2015 season and won 27-20; sixteen weeks later the Chiefs faced the Texans in the wild card round of the playoffs and easily won 30-0. While those two games may boost the confidence of the Chiefs, it will no doubt also fire-up the Texans and their fans. Both teams enter this week two contest at 1-0; the Texans beat the Chicago Bears 24-13 in Houston. Jamaal Charles is listed as doubtful for Sunday, and both starting offensive guards for the Chiefs are out as well due to injury. Since I am a die-hard Bronco fan living in middle of Chiefs country, I am hoping the Texans improve to 2-0 while the Chiefs are handed their first loss of this young season.
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Prediction: Kansas City 17, Houston 28
Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders: Chances are that if your favorite team is the Broncos, you probably have an extreme dislike for the Raiders. If that is the case, I still believe that the decision to go for two last week in New Orleans, plus the most important part – execution, was one of the true highlights of week one. Because of the way the Raiders won in New Orleans last week, something tells me they are going to come out like gangbusters and hand the Falcons their second loss of the season. No doubt, the Black Hole and the Raiders fans will definitely be primed for the home opener.
Prediction: Oakland 31, Atlanta 10
Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers: I expect the Chargers to rebound in week two and use their disappointing loss to Kansas City in week one as a motivator and get their first win of the season. My assumption is that the Chargers are extremely disappointed that they let a large lead evaporate against the Chiefs – especially when they built that lead in Arrowhead! After an off-season of what seemed like a roller coaster ride regarding discussions about if the Chargers would remain in San Diego, I bet fans are happy football season is here and they can just watch football in Southern California…… at least for now. Jacksonville enters the game 0-1 after losing 27-13 to Green Bay. This game could go either way; any loss to an AFC West team could ultimately benefit the Broncos, for that reason I will pick the Jaguars to win
Prediction: San Diego 17, Jacksonville 24
Go Broncos – beat the Colts!