Denver Broncos: Predicting the 2018 Win-Loss Record
By Tylor Walden
Graham Tiedtke (Staff Writer)
Record: 11-5
Wins against: vs Seahawks, H/A Raiders, @ Ravens, H/A Chiefs, at Jets, at Bengals, at 49ers, vs Browns, and vs Chargers.
The matchup vs Seattle should be a good one. With the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom no longer intact, it should be a good game for the Broncos’ offense. The Broncos acquisition of linebacker Bradley Chubb in the draft will help linebacker Von Miller stop quarterback Russell Wilson from running all over the field.
The Raiders traded their best player in DE Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. It is great for the Broncos. The move could be the determining factor in a Broncos victory. Make that two.
The Broncos head to Baltimore to face the Ravens in week 3. The Ravens defense is not like the 2000 version and their quarterback, Joe Flacco is by no means “elite” like some people say he is. He may not struggle, but I still see the Broncos coming out with a victory.
I think that the Broncos win both matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs. The inexperience of quarterback Patrick Mahomes will catch up to him and the Broncos will get to him too many times for the Kansas City to catch up. Also, can you say Demaryius Thomas?
The Broncos will likely face rookie quarterback Sam Darnold when the team heads to New York to face the Jets. It should be a game where the defense dominates and causes Darnold to struggle.
In week 13, the Broncos head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones and Domata Peko face their old team and get the win. Maybe Jones returns a punt for a touchdown. Wouldn’t that be something? Peko gets 2 sacks as the Broncos head home with the win.
The 49ers lost running back Jerick McKinnon to a torn ACL, which is a big loss for them but an advantage to the Broncos. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo did win some games for the 49ers last season, but again, the Broncos defense should win that matchup.
Tyrod Taylor will be quarterbacking the Browns this season, at least for the first portion of the year. The Browns finally look to be heading in the right direction, but when they head to Denver to face the Broncos, it should be a struggle. I expect first overall pick Baker Mayfield to start at quarterback for Cleveland by this matchup, and the Broncos defense once again should come out on top.
Vs Chargers—Home field advantage. The Broncos have one of the loudest stadiums in the entire league. Even for a veteran quarterback in Phillip Rivers, it should be a problem.
Losses against: at Chargers, vs Rams, vs Texans, at Cardinals, vs Steelers.
When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, many names come to mind: quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Oh, almost forgot the acquisitions of cornerbacks Aqib Talib an Marcus Peters. I think Denver unfortunately loses that game due to the names I mentioned.
At Arizona will be a very difficult matchup. The Cardinals will have receiver Larry Fitzgerald for whoever starts at quarterback. By the time the two teams meet (week 7), it could be rookie Josh Rosen under Center for the Cardinals. If that’s the case, it would probably make things easier for Denver. The Broncos still need to focus on running back David Johnson, however.
vs Texans. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is back with his duel-threat abilities. He has DeAndre Hopkins to throw to, which could be a deadly weapon. On defense, they will have JJ Watt (if he’s not hurt by week 9), as well as former first-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
At LA Chargers. It’s always tough to win on the road, especially against a divisional opponent. The Chargers have a very good quarterback in Phillip Rivers, and Rivers is getting his favourite target back in tight end Antonio Gates. That could be bad news. Denver will need to take advantage of the absence of cornerback Jason Verrett.
Vs Steelers. Three names: Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown. Three of the best players at their respective positions. Roethlisberger knows how to get Brown the ball, and Bell is the most patient runner I’ve ever seen.