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Denver Broncos affected by Deshaun Watson suspension news?

By Lucas Coryell

Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) has a "88" sticker on his helmet before Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. The sticker is in honor of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who recently died at the age of 33.Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) has a "88" sticker on his helmet before Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. The sticker is in honor of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who recently died at the age of 33.Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals /
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Deshaun Watson was handed a six-game suspension by the NFL. How does this suspension affect the Denver Broncos and other teams?

With training camp off and running most fan bases are focused on high hopes along with looking for strengths and weaknesses on their rosters.

This year, some uncertainty looms on the strength of opponents during the week that you may face them. NFL suspensions may add several more questions to weekly matchups.

Deshaun Watson steals most of the attention but suspensions to significant players don’t stop there. Deshaun Watson most recently with Alvin Kamara and Calvin Ridley joined the high-profile list.

So how does this affect the NFL scheduling and strength of schedule? Some division foes will potentially face tougher opponents than others.

Start right here in the AFC West. The Chiefs face a Cardinals team almost certainly without DeAndre Hopkins in week one.

The Raiders get them in week two while the Denver Broncos face them in week 15 and the Chargers face them in week 12 with Hopkins presumably back in the fold.

Injuries and oddities happen every year but this year has some serious divisional ramifications. Two teams face Arizona without Hopkins and two teams face the Cardinals with him.

The parallels go on and on with Watson, Kamara, and company but I picked the obvious contrast of a Denver Broncos fan to articulate my point that disciplinary action can potentially influence teams’ records outside of their control.

The first six opponents of the Saints undoubtedly have an easier matchup than the next 11 without Kamara. The Browns’ opponents have an entirely different opponent based on whether Deshaun Watson or Jacoby Brissett is under center. (No offense, Jacoby).

Long story short whether we agree or disagree with the league’s rulings they will be felt league-wide. Some teams will have an easier then expected matchup while others will not.

Strange anomaly in today’s game. With Russell Wilson now on board and the Mile High expectations perhaps it won’t matter, but this is another factor in a loaded AFC West.

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