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Published on 08/31/2010 at Tue Aug 31 20:51.
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Are the Broncos in reach of an AFC West Title?

Posted Tue Aug 31st by

enter J.D. Walton #50 of the Denver Broncos leads the offensive line as he prepares snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-17. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Center J.D. Walton (#50) of the Denver Broncos prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Broncos haven’t earned an AFC West Championship since 2005, coming in 2nd place in all but one season since then. Nevertheless, with new weapons and a weak division, the ‘West may finally be back in the Broncos’ reach.

Last off-season nearly every NFL season preview had the Broncos ranking near the bottom of the AFC West, even ESPN agreed with that assumption. NFL Analyst John Clayton predicted the Broncos to finish 3-13, a harsh prediction many other NFL crystal gazers agreed with. The Broncos wound up finishing 8-8 for the second straight year.

The experts are now at it again, predicting the Broncos to finish 6-10 (most predictions I’ve seen have been about six wins or worse). By my calculations, if Denver was supposed to finish 3-13 last season and finished 8-8, and are supposed to finish 6-10 this year, they’ll go 12-4. And with the Chargers seemingly on the decline, it might not even take that many wins to win the division, writes Mark Kiszla.

“Josh McDaniels can get there [to the Playoffs] during his second season as coach in Denver.

It wouldn’t take a miracle … San Diego has lost its mojo, Kansas City isn’t quite ready for prime time and Oakland remains hopelessly lost in an Al Davis time warp,” said Kiszla in his latest Denver Post article.

“Nothing much is expected of the Broncos in 2010, which, in an odd way, passes for progress. A year ago, Denver was believed to be a disaster waiting to happen.”

So there you have it, the Chargers aren’t the prolific offense they once were and certainly won’t be if they are truly serious about trading star wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Granted, the Chargers will have another good statistical offensive season, but I don’t believe the Broncos are as far behind them as they once were (once were meaning last season). Then comes the Chiefs, who, for the past two seasons have been way overrated going into the season. After trading for Matt Cassel, the Chiefs were finally ready to turn it around. Four wins and twelve loses later, KC fans got a glimpse of reality. Finally, there’s the Raiders, who have finished last in the AFC West since 1923 (that’s an exaggeration).

With the rest of the Division not looking so hot, I believe this the Broncos chance to snatch the Division Title. In order to do so though, the Broncos must ‘find their identity’.

“The identity we want to have is a tough team that knows how to finish and get the job done,” Ayers said.

Find an identity and the Broncos will find themselves in the playoffs.

As is the case for every NFL team every season, the Broncos will need some players to step up, stay healthy (and have the depth to replace injured players), win at home, play solid defense, and have the ball bounce their way a few times to win their division – but that’s all.

I honestly do think the Broncos can win the division this season, I’m not expecting it (I’m expected 9-10 wins), but I do think they are capable of doing it. How about you, do you think the Broncos can take the division from the Chargers in 2010?

Playoffs?! Yep, Broncos can win the West [The Denver Post]

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  • slkdjfod

    I think it's possible, but we need to got of too an early start again, but this time not fall off at the end. The first part of the schedule is the toughest, but once we get to week 7 and start playing our weak division opponents (minus SD), it's a pretty lax schedule. Even if we split with the Chargers, I could even see Denver winning 11-12.

  • Kkk

    i see the broncos winning 8-10 games give or take a few games but the 6 win theory is funny because most players are better their SECOND year in the system. I'm assuming its based off of brandon marshall but to think we cant get production from our other players is silly.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    It really depends on the health of this football team. I'm a firm believer that any football team can win any Sunday. I also believe that in most cases the better team wins.

  • joe

    I think injuries aside we've been in reach for a long, long time. It's just being healthy and consistent at this point.

  • flbronc

    we'll only go as far as our defense will take us. not worried at all on the offensive side. even with our two main backs out, i think we can score. it's just a matter of our defense proving that they can stop our opponents from scoring.

  • Jake White

    While the game against Pitt showed some flashes of good things to come, in reality Denver's defense struggled against Pitt's first teamers. This was not only the case with Pitt as Denver's defense has struggled against all opposing first team offenses this preseason. If this is going to be the case for the regular season, it is going to be impossible for this team to win more than 6 games.

  • anthony33

    I would be nice to reach the playoffs this year, but realistically I think the Bronx are a year away. Offensive line is young and needs time to gel as a unit, but the other pieces of the offense are in tact to be very good.

    Special team will be the most improved unit and will be worth another win or two vs. last year.

    While the defense has some great veteran leadership and some solid young DB's we are missing the young dominant player or two to make a difference. The linebacking core is still unsettled and will be the weakness of the team.

    I see 7-9 wins, maybe 10 if Moreno breaks out, but no playoffs until next year.

  • Mark Angeletti

    “Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game.

  • Fleance

    The big question this year is our QB situation. Last year seemed magical until Orton went down and Sims started stinking it up. Orton was forced to play hurt and the season fell apart. As far as I can tell Quinn is just as bad as Sims. Sims, in fact, had a better preseason than Quinn has had so far. He'll get a lot more playing time in Min this week and maybe that will help. Still, an injury for Orton spells big trouble for the broncos.

    If they do finish with six wins fine, it just means another good draft pick for a young team! McD showed much improvment last draft than the previous one.

    8 and 8 is more realistic but anything is possible.

  • Mark Angeletti

    I think a better poll is how many of these guys McDaniels has drafted the last two years are going to pan out? How many will be bust? How many are serviceable and how many are studs? Would you not like to have Orakpo and Maualuga on this team?

  • areferee

    Didn't I see you in a beer commercial?

  • magster

    We need to go 5-1 or 4-2 in the division. No more home losses to the Raiders and Chiefs.

  • TheTroglodyte

    That isn't saying much. Simms played better in the pre-season games than Orton did last year. Quinn hasn't had much of a shot in the games. The o-line around him has sucked and he is still learning the system.

    If Tebow HAS to, he can probably fill in decently for a game or two with the right play calling around him because it takes a few weeks for NFL teams to start getting a beat on guys like that.

    The fact is though, if Orton gets hurt long-term, this team isn't making the playoffs without some uncontrollable outside influences taking hold.

  • areferee

    Well, of course, anything is POSSIBLE! It's POSSIBLE we could have a great year. It's POSSIBLE we could win the AFC West. It's also possible that the injuries could continue and that we have a horrible year.

    That's what makes the game so interesting…all the possibilities. That's why we still PLAY the game, even after all the talking heads make all of their (conflicting) opinions. Why? Because anything can happen…and usually does.

    We KNOW that we are improved from last year. We KNOW that we should have a better record. We KNOW that there is a lot of talent on this team. But are we good enough to be predictable? Not quite yet.

    But it's POSSIBLE!

    (What we REALLY KNOW, is that we love this team and we live and die with everything that happens to them. Little else matters!)

  • TheTroglodyte

    Kyle, any word on how Quinn is looking in practice? Does he show any improvement from when training camp started?

  • Mark Angeletti

    “We KNOW that we are improved from last year. “

    Not so fast there. How do we KNOW this? It's quite possible our offensive line is worse. And losing Marshall is not good. You don't just glance over the fact that you lost a top 4 wide out…

  • areferee

    Valid points, Mark, but I think the general consensus is that we are improved. Better against the run, (if not perfect), better on special teams, better QB situation. Except for Clady's injury, no worse at OL. Lots of rookie talent. Dumervil backups looking stronger. More experience in the system. A much better case for our improvement than the opposite.

  • Darwin

    Orton needs to stay healthy. The team needs to start winning consistently at home-4 & 4 is not going to cut it.
    San Diego is not the team they once were. We have a chance to move up but so does Oakland and Kansas City. I think Oakland will be more improved but they are still Oakland until proven otherwise. Kansas City is well run and well coached-they will be better.

  • herc_rock

    find an identity and the Broncos will find themselves in the playoffs

    This might be the most idiotic thing Kiszla has ever written…and that's saying something

  • herc_rock

    SD wins the division at 9-7. Denver goes 7-9.

  • crazykid

    Simms played best when he was smoking weed! haha jk But seriously, did anyone hear about him getting caught a few years back w/ weed?

  • (dee)

    Denver will win the division….

  • Dan

    Let's see if we can coach-up to maybe competing with the Colts and the Ravens before anyone says one word about the post season. We have the secondary to slow Peyton down enough for a, cross our fingers, reasonably effective offense to keep the score close…Come on Prater! As for the Ravens, if our run defense can somewhat consistently show up, we can beat them too…Which would give me great pleasure to wipe that smerk off of Harbaugh's stupid face from our loss to them last year!

  • MeOMy

    The run defense will determine how well Denver does this year. In games that they lost 54% of the plays were running plays. In the games that they won only 40% of the plays were running plays. Only the eagles and Colts passed more in their wins vs Denver and only Oakland lost were they ran more than passed.

  • colomtn

    I think that if the team stays relatively healthy we will end up with a better record than last year. I am not entirely convinced that SD is going to be as bad as some people think. I watched them when they were playing the saints and the 1st team looked pretty darn good.

    Just my .02

  • herc_rock

    Is Bretty boy playing tonight?

  • Areferee

    3rd Quarter…How many throws like that 39 yarder will Tebow have to throw to convince some of you that he CAN and WILL be a quality NFL QB?

  • areferee

    No news? Everybody's computer break down or has the website been hacked by a Viking Virus?

  • anthony33

    knock knock knock… hellooooo… anybody in there? Games been over for 12 hours and no headlines since Tuesday.

    Game airs today on the NFL network at 1 pm (I think) Denver time.

    Sounds like:

    Turnovers killed us.

    Outplayed Minnesota except for the turnovers

    Still no pressure on the QB

    Offensive line cannot run block

    Tebow will be the number 2

    Quinn showed promise and that he is no Simms

    Clady played… great news

    Harris out… hopefully just a tweak

    Worried about Moreno… how serious is his hammy.

    Loaded at wide receiver and cornerback.

    Let's get the real deal started.

  • magster

    HELLO!! (hello, ..ello, ..o)

    ECHO!! (echo, ..o)

    ANYONE HERE!! (nyone here, …ere)

  • areferee

    OK then. It's obvious there is a problem at BroncoTalk…so it's up to us to carry on. Therefore, here's the news:

    LenDale White is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press.

    The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the Broncos hadn't publicly discussed the results of medical tests on White's right leg. ESPN and Pro Football Talk first reported the seriousness of White's injury on Twitter.

    White, trying to revive his career with his hometown team after a fallout in Tennessee and a short stay in Seattle, was injured during the second quarter of Denver's 31-24 preseason loss at Minnesota on Thursday night.

  • areferee

    Broncos begin cuts with 8 roster moves
    By Lindsay Jones, Denver Post

    The Broncos began trimming their roster Friday. The team needs to make 21 roster moves before 4 p.m. MT.

    The first round of cuts include seventh-round draft pick Jammie Kirlew, nose tackle Chris Baker, tight ends Korry Sperry and Nate Overbay, offensive lineman Paul Duncan, receiver Alric Arnett and linebacker Johnny Willliams.

    The team also officially placed running back LenDale White on injured reserve. White tore his Achilles tendon Thursday night.

    Kirlew is the most surprising of the first round of cuts. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2010. He fell behind on the depth chart at outside linebacker when the team picked up Jason Hunter two weeks ago.

    Baker spent all of 2009 on the 53-man roster after making the team as an undrafted rookie.

  • areferee

    Sounds like we better make a trade for a running back, or keep our eyes peeled on the waiver wire.

    While we're at it, anybody know of a decent pass-rusher looking for work?

  • areferee

    More cuts announced including J.J. Arrington:

    The Eagles also released the following 10 players: cornerback Geoff Pope, defensive end Pannell Egboh, defensive tackle Boo Robinson, cornerback David Pender, wide receiver Dobson Collins, tight end Nate Lawrie, offensive tackle Jeraill McCuller, running back J.J. Arrington, safety Anthony Scirrotto and running back Martell Mallett.

    Arrington's release is significant because it means that the Eagles receive a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 as part of the agreement with the Broncos when the team traded for the running back.

    For the players eligible for the practice squad, they first have to be on waivers for 24 hours where another team could claim them. If those players are not claimed, they can be signed to the Eagles' eight-man practice squad. Of these players released, Pope, Lawrie and Arrington are not eligible.

  • Nisse

    teams run more when in the lead-> the winning team usualy have more running plays than passing plays-> you might as well say the bigest problem denver had was losing games, if they stop losing games they win games.

  • Orange Crush

    There is no way the Broncos could beat the Chargers in the AFC West. We'll finish 8-8 if everything will go right, i believe probably 7-9. We are still very weak on run defense, and awful in run offense, the only really good guy is done for season. Moreno is a good guy but i don't think is good enough for a single back formation.

  • Nisse

    and by that i dont mean the broncos D was good in run D the last half of the season, just saying its a bullshit stat that someone like pat kirwan would use that really doesnt say a thing about what actuelly happend.

  • anthony33

    bummer… just when it felt like they were starting to get resonalbly healthy.

  • anthony33

    Bronx need to start searching the waiver wire for big runnign backs and linebackers followed by defensive lineman and offensive linemen. Not necessarily in that order.

    Wacted the game today. Tebow is coming along. Quinn looked better. Still can't stop the run. Still had no pressure on the QB. Still can't run the ball.

    7 to 9 wins max.

  • anthony33

    Any word on Harris? Keep your fingers crossed that it's just a ding.

  • Nisse

    broncotalk or the broncos?

  • areferee

    Can't find anything on Harris, but I did find this. When did this happen? I missed it!

    — Ryan Clady Injures Ankle —
    Thu Sep 2, 2010 –from FFMastermind.com
    AP reports Denver Broncos OT Ryan Clady left tonight's game with an ankle injury. He was doubtful to return to action.

  • Kawike

    Well, Doom's officially out for the season. He's being placed on IR.

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2010/09/03/dumervil-says-ir-was-mutual-decision/4971/

  • anthony33

    Seriously… does anyone know what's up with this site? Kyle, East, Jon… speak up.

  • robtink242

    so with doom on IR who gets his roster spot… it’s clear that we are goiong to bring pressure thru the blitz game until the some one shines a a true pass rusher… with White on IR as well who gets that spot… Ball, Hall, or someone who gets release from another team… As much as i dont like it Stokley really looks like the odd man out… i rather trade him tho… anyone notice the trust Orton has between his receivers and Tebow to Willis and Quinn to Decker.

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