The Super Bowl window of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos is closing fast. After another failed playoff run last year, this upcoming season might just be the 39-year old Manning’s last best chance to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Manning must also get to grips with a new head coach and a new offensive line if he’s to have one final taste of postseason success.
Will this finally be the Broncos’ year? Let’s first check out how Denver’s offseason went, before projecting how their 2015-2016 season will unfold. Don’t forget to check out or previews of the AFC’s other Super Bowl contenders, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
[sc:Football ]
2015-2016 Denver Broncos Preview
Overview
After exiting from the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs for the third time in four years (and the second in three with Peyton Manning), the Broncos decided to mutually part ways with head coach John Fox during the offseason.
[sc:NFL240banner ]In steps Gary Kubiak, who has some big shoes to fill. The Broncos claimed the AFC West in all four years under Fox, and won 13, 13 and 12 regular season games in the last three years with Manning under center. The Broncos went to the Super Bowl in 2013, and Kubiak will lead a talented squad that is priced at +1,000 to win it all this year.
However, he’ll have to do so with a 39-year old Manning, who did not end last season particularly well, especially in their playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts. If the Broncos are to be successful this season, Kubiak might have to rely more on his defense and running game, two parts of the Broncos’ team which experienced a bit of change in the offseason.
Offseason Review
The two Thomases (Demaryius and Julius) were the big names surrounding the Broncos offseason. Julius, who led the team with 12 touchdowns last season, left for the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Demaryius eventually signed a long-term extension.
But perhaps the more significant story for the Broncos during the offseason has been its offensive line. Orlando Franklin left in free agency, Manny Ramirez was traded and star left tackle Ryan Clady suffered a season-ending ACL injury, leaving the Broncos without three of their five starters from last season.
Rookie Ty Sambrailo is now set to protect Manning’s blind side at left tackle, along with fellow newcomers Ben Garland (left guard) and Gino Gradkowski (center). Louis Vasquez (right guard) and Chris Clark (right tackle) are the two holdovers from last year’s unit.
Not only must the brand new unit learn how to play together, they must also learn Kubiak’s patented zone blocking scheme, which helped create excellent running games in his past stops at Houston and Baltimore.
The defense, which finished No. 4 in efficiency via DVOA last season, will also have some learning to do with new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips installing his preferred 3-4. The Broncos already had the edge rushers in DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller to play 3-4, but they also added Shane Ray in the draft to form what could be a formidable pass rush.
Key Player – Peyton Manning
It was tempting to put running back CJ Anderson in this spot after his impressive 2014 season. The Broncos leaned more on Anderson and the running game from Week 10 on, and Anderson delivered by averaging 108 yards per game with eight total touchdowns in the final six regular season games. And with Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme, Anderson could be primed for an even bigger year in 2015.
But as long as Peyton Manning is still under center, he’s the key to this team’s Super Bowl chances. Manning slowed down in the final few weeks of the regular season, apparently due to a quad injury he suffered in Week 14.
It remains to be seen whether last season’s slump was an isolated incident or the start of Manning’s inevitable decline. Whatever the case may be, the Broncos’ Super Bowl chances still rest on Manning’s shoulders.
Key Game – @ Indianapolis (Nov. 8)
Despite having home field advantage, Denver was unceremoniously dumped out of last season’s playoffs by Manning’s old team, the Indianapolis Colts. Well, the Broncos will have a shot at revenge in Week 9 as they go to Indy.
That matchup will be part of the Broncos’ toughest stretch of the season. Immediately after their Week 7 by, their next six games will be: vs. Green Bay, @ Indianapolis, vs. Kansas City, @ Chicago, vs. New England, @ San Diego.
This year’s meeting with the Colts will be noteworthy not only because it could have serious ramifications in terms of playoff seeding in the AFC, but also because it could quite possibly Manning’s last game in his old stomping ground.
Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season
Best Case Scenario
Peyton goes the entire season healthy and playing like vintage Manning; the offensive line comes together to power an impressive running game; the defense continues being one of the best in the league; and the Broncos overcome their tough midseason stretch to earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Worst Case Scenario
The offense turns into a shadow of the one that set all sorts of records two years ago. The running game stalls out due to an ineffective offensive line, while Manning can’t carry the team because of another limiting injury. The Broncoscan’tscore enough points to help out the defense, and stumble to an 8-8 record.
Complete Schedule
WEEK
DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
1
Sun, Sept. 13
vs. Baltimore
4:25 PM ET
2
Sun, Sept. 17
@ Kansas City
8:25 PM ET
3
Sun, Sept. 27
@ Detroit
8:30 PM ET
4
Sun, Oct. 4
vs. Minnesota
4:25 PM ET
5
Sun, Oct. 11
@ Oakland
4:25 PM ET
6
Sun, Oct. 18
@ Cleveland
1:00 PM ET
7
BYE WEEK
8
Sun, Nov. 1
vs. Green Bay
8:30 PM ET
9
Sun, Nov. 8
@ Indianapolis
4:25 PM ET
10
Sun, Nov. 15
vs. Kansas City
4:25 PM ET
11
Sun, Nov. 22
@ Chicago
1:00 PM ET
12
Sun, Nov. 29
vs. New England
8:30 PM ET
13
Sun, Dec. 6
@ San Diego
4:05 PM ET
14
Sun, Dec. 13
vs. Oakland
4:05 PM ET
15
Mon, Dec. 20
@ Pittsburgh
4:25 PM ET
16
Mon, Dec. 28
vs. Cincinnati
8:30 PM ET
17
Sun, Jan. 3
vs. San Diego
4:25 PM ET
Writer’s Prediction
Manning struggles, but the running game and defense pick up the slack as the Broncos finish with an 11-5 record to win another AFC West crown. Create a betting account now and get ready to compile a winning record of your own with the upcoming NFL season.
