Denver Broncos: Week 1 State of the Franchise

News and notes from the weekly press release. View the full release here (.pdf).

The Denver Broncos travel to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars in each team’s regular-season opener on Sunday. Kickoff at EverBank Field is set for 1 p.m. EDT.

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

QUICKLY:

• The Denver Broncos enter their sixth decade of professional football with a 411-367-10 (.528) combined record. They have the eighth-most wins among AFL/NFL franchises since 1960.
• Denver finished with a 93-67 (.581) regular-season record during the 2000s to mark its third consecutive decade with 90 or more victories—the only team in the NFL to accomplish that feat during the last three decades.

• With wins in each of their last three regular-season openers, the Broncos stand at 32-17-1 (.650) all-time in openers. That mark represents the second-best record in NFL history.
• Head Coach Josh McDaniels begins his second season leading the club after totaling the third-most wins (8) by a rookie head coach in Broncos annals.
• McDaniels and General Manager Brian Xanders made several key acquisitions during the offseason, including the signing of three-time Pro Bowler DL Jamal Williams, hometown product DL Justin Bannan (University of Colorado) and secondary specialist CB Nate Jones.

Quarterback Dennis Dixon #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by Robert Ayers #56 as Justin Bannan #97 and D.J. Williams #55 of the Denver Broncos get in on the action during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

OFFENSE:

• QB Kyle Orton finished the preseason in impressive fashion, ranking first in the NFL in third-down passing (139.3 rtg. / 13-of-16, 127 yds., 2 TDs, 0 INTs) and leading the Broncos to six touchdowns and one field goal in 14 offensive drives.

DEFENSE:

• Following up a No. 7 ranking in total defense during the regular season in 2009, Denver’s first-teamers allowed just one opponent touchdown during the 2010 preseason.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

• K Matt Prater led the AFC and placed second in the NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs (10) during the preseason, while P Britton Colquitt finished second in the league with a 50.9 gross punting average.