Broncos At the Halfway Point and Week 10 Picks!

Here is what I do know about the Broncos after eight games of the 2014 season: This isn't 2013. I have said that earlier this season, and it still holds true. Here is what we know so far about the Broncos as they hit the halfway mark of the year at 6-2:

1) Peyton Manning is still the man. He is on pace for 5,000 yards and 48 touchdowns. If the Broncos are going to win the Super Bowl this year, it will all be on Manning's shoulders once again.

2) The Broncos running game is just not as consistent as it was last year or near the level it should be at. Ronnie Hillman has provided a spark as of late but he only has 365 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year. Montee Ball has been injured the last month, but he was really struggling before he got hurt.

3) Cutting Matt Prater and sticking with Brandon McManus as our kicker was a bad decision. McManus is only 6 of 9 on field goals this year, and he hasn't been faced with a pressure kick just yet. It will doom us in the end if he continues to be inconsistent.

4) Demaryius Thomas is still a beast, and one of the biggest threats in all of the NFL. He is on pace for 90 catches and 1,700 yards with 12 touchdowns. Emmanuel Sanders has been a great free-agent pickup and he is on pace for over 90 receptions and over 1,500 yards with 8 touchdowns. Julius Thomas is still a huge weapon in the redzone and he already has 10 touchdowns. Wes Welker looks like a player who has seen his better days. He only has 22 catches for 212 yards so far this year. Our offense is still really good and the Broncos are averaging over 29 points per game on offense. This team will score and move the ball, but you worry about it on the road.

5) We know that the defense is a lot better. DeMarcus Ware has been really good and he has 8 sacks on the year so far. T.J. Ward has also made his presence felt this year, and Aqib Talib has been really solid at corner for the Broncos too. Chris Harris has been stellar on the other corner, and rookie Bradley Roby has played really well in the nickel. Von Miller has returned to form and he already has 9 sacks on the year. You have to give credit to guys like Terrence Knighton, Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, and Malik Jackson for being so stout against the run this year. The Broncos run defense has been really solid all year long. The defense got a boost from Brandon Marshall stepping in at linebacker so far as well. Overall, the defense is better, but you still have to wonder about them in a big spot, against a good offense, and a good QB. Look what Tom Brady did to them last week.

6) We know the Broncos are one of the best teams in the AFC and a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but can they step up to the plate in a big game. That is the question that will be on their minds as they enter the second half of the season and the playoffs. They can do it when it counts? We have a whole second half of the year to find out.

On to the picks for Week 10...

Last Week's Record: 9-3-1
Overall Record: 67-61-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Jacksonville (+7) over Dallas (In London): I have a feeling this game will be close. I just don't trust the whole Tony Romo/Back situation. Look for a surprisingly close game in London.

Miami (+3) over DETROIT: Do you trust the Lions at home? The Lions seem more dangerous on the road. It's like they don't play the same way at home as they do on the road. You have to give credit for the Dolphins at 5-3 and the way that they whipped the Chargers last week. I'm taking the Fish as an underdog here.

Kansas City (-1) over BUFFALO: You have to go with the better team here, and the Chiefs are simply better than the Bills at this point. Fun game in the AFC though with both teams at 5-3.

NEW ORLEANS (-4) over San Francisco: I might get burned by this, but look for the Saints to at least win this game by a touchdown. It should be a really good game and with both teams at 4-4 it is a crucial game-especially for the Niners. I didn't think the 49ers would make the playoffs at the beginning of the year, and I'm sticking with that prediction all the way through. 

BALTIMORE (-7) over Tennessee: I can't see the Ravens laying an egg here at home. At 5-4, they have lost two straight, so I expect their A game in this one.

NY JETS (+5) over Pittsburgh: Weird game to me. I full expect a Steeler win, but for some reason I think the Jets cover. By the way, if you're a Jet fan, how bad will it be if Mark Sanchez plays well the rest of the year, and takes the Eagles to the playoffs? Talk about adding more salt to the wound.

Atlanta (-2) over TAMPA BAY: A pretty bad game in the NFC South, but a Falcons win here keeps them alive to somehow win this crappy division. 

St.Louis (+7) over ARIZONA: Aren't the Cardinals due for a clunker? It seems like the Rams always seem to play better when they are facing a really good team-especially in their own division. Look for the Cards to win, but I think this one is close.

SEATTLE (-7) over NY Giants: There is no way a banged up Giants team at 3-5 is getting on a plane, flying over 3,000 miles, and pulling an upset of the defending Super Bowl champs on Sunday in their building. I just can't see it. This might be the lock of the week.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Chicago: Jay Cutler on road in a night game. That might be all you need to know if you want to takes the Packers. There is also no way the Packers are losing two in a row.

Carolina (+7) over PHILLY: How can you take Philly with Sanchez coming in to start? I'm not saying it won't work out, but I have to wait and see before I jump on their bandwagon. 


OAKLAND (+11) over Denver: Here is why this game is dangerous: Although Oakland is 0-8, they have played close games against San Diego, New England, and Seattle this year. It would not surprise me at all if the Raiders play well in this game. It is pretty hard for a team to lose nine straight games to start the year. This game has some serious upset potential to it. I hope I'm wrong.

Final Score: Raiders-28 Broncos-27