Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Broncos 2011 Schedule

Here is Denver's 2011 Schedule. I'll post my thoughts and opinions at the end.......
(All times EST)
Week 1: 9/12 vs. Oakland- 10:15pm-ESPN (Monday Night Football)
Week 2: 9/18 vs. Cincinnati- 4:15pm- CBS
Week 3: 9/25 at Tennessee- 1:00pm- CBS
Week 4: 10/2 at Green Bay- 4:15pm- CBS
Week 5: 10/9 vs. San Diego- 4:15pm- CBS
Week 6: 10/16 BYE WEEK
Week 7: 10/23 at Miami- 1:00pm- CBS
Week 8: 10/30 vs. Detroit- 4:05pm- FOX
Week 9: 11/6 at Oakland- 4:05pm- CBS
Week 10: 11/13 at Kansas City- 1:00pm- CBS
Week 11: 11/17 vs. New York Jets- 8:20pm- NFL Network (Thursday Night Football)
Week 12: 11/27 at San Diego- 4:15pm- CBS
Week 13: 12/4 at Minnesota- 4:05pm- CBS
Week 14: 12/11 vs. Chicago- 4:05pm- FOX
Week 15: 12/18 vs. New England- 4:15pm- CBS
Week 16: 12/24 at Buffalo- 1:00pm- CBS
Week 17: 1/1 vs. Kansas City- 4:15pm- CBS

Comments and Opinions:
-Finally, the Broncos open a season at home again! Denver hosts the Raiders on the second game of the MNF season opening doubleheader. I love the fact that Denver opens at home, especially on Monday Night against their rivals. As a fan this is great. Although it will start at 10:15 on the East Coast, I love the fact that I can get home from work and practice, unwind, put my son to bed, and get set up in the man cave for the Broncos' opener.
-Denver gets two primetime games this year. Not too bad for a team that went 4-12 last year. Denver hosts the Jets on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football. As a Broncos fan living in New York, I am really looking forward to this game. The fact that the Jets have to travel to Denver on a really short week, should give the Broncos the advantage.
-The Broncos have a chance to get something going early on. They open at home for their first two games against two winnable opponents (Oakland and Cincy), then they go on the road for two with the Titans being very winnable (at GB will be tough), and they then come home to play San Diego. There is a good chance Denver could be 3-1 heading into the Charger game, and that game is at home, so hopefully Denver could be looking at a 4-1 start.
-After Denver's bye week, the Broncos' schedule gets a little tricky. They have five out of their next seven games on the road. Those trips include Miami, Oakland and Kansas City back-to-back, and San Diego and Minnesota back-to-back. Out of those five road games, Minnesota and Miami are probably the easiest. They are going to have to prove they can win on the road in the AFC West, and they must steal a game or two from their division opponents. That is Denver's toughest stretch right there.
-Their two home games in that period include the Lions and the Jets. They have to win both of those games. The Jet game will be tough, but as I said before, they must take advantage of the short week and long travel for the Jets.
-Denver finishes up with three out of their last four at home. Their final four looks pretty tough (vs. Chicago, vs. NE, at Buffalo, vs. KC), but I don't think the Bears will be as good as they were last season. Plus, throw in the Cutler factor and the Broncos and their crowd should be very motivated for that one. New England and Tom Brady always struggle in Denver. The weather could be brutal in Buffalo on Christmas Eve, but there aren't high expectations for the Bills in 2011, and the Broncos always play well against KC in Denver.
-Here is how I look at it for Denver to make the playoffs: They must be at least 4-1 going into their bye week. They must take at least two out of their next five games (I would give them Detroit and the Jet game) to put them at 6-4. Then, the Broncos have to split their next two games (I will give them the win in Minnesota) to put them at 7-5 heading into the end of the season. Denver then can go 3-1 in their final four games (Wins against Chicago, at Buffalo and home vs. KC) to finish 10-6 and sneak in as a wild card.
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