During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Denver Broncos’ easiest games are the focus.
Denver Broncos Easiest Games In 2016
9. Week 12 vs. The Kansas City Chiefs
It’s difficult to drop any showdown between the Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs lower than this. The fact is, both games figure to be highly competitive, low-scoring affairs with big-time divisional implications. Home-field advantage gives the Broncos a slight edge in this one, although the road team was victorious in both of these teams’ match-ups last year. Still, the Broncos face much better odds at home, and aren’t likely to drop both contests when the teams are so closely matched.
10. Week 6 @ The San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers finished last in the AFC West last year, but it’s never wise to count them out. Any team that has Philip Rivers at quarterback is always in the game. The injury bug bit the Chargers in a big way last year and they never recovered. Entering 2016 at full health, things could be very different this season. Ken Whisenhunt is back in the mix as offensive coordinator and will immediately work to improve the team’s running game. This will, in turn, take some of the pressure of Rivers. It’s hard to say if this will be that the season the Chargers contend for the division but it’s not impossible to imagine. Certainly, a week six Thursday night home win over their AFC West rivals would be a great starting point.
11. Week 13 @ The Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of improvement, the Jacksonville Jaguars might be the most improved team in the league this year. At least, that’s what the pundits believe. It’s hard to disagree with that notion. Much has been made about team’s talented young players and some analysts are forecasting a 2016 playoff berth. It’s far to soon to speculate on that, but the Jags do figure to be competitive. With a suddenly potent offense, and a likely improved defense, they pose a tough test for the Broncos. A big key to this game will be how much pressure Von Miller and company can put on Blake Bortles. If Bortles has time to find Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns downfield, the secondary will have their hands full. Don’t count out the upstart Jags, even against the world champions.
12. Week 10 @ The New Orleans Saints
This feels like a bit of an insult to the New Orleans Saints and it’s not intentional. Drew Brees remains one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at any age. The offense is still potent, and has many weapons in both the passing and running game. Like the previously mentioned Indianapolis Colts, this is one of a very small list of offenses that can truly challenge the Broncos defense. For as much as the Saints’ defense struggled last year, it is likely to improve in 2016. However, similar to the Jaguars, projection is not production so it’s hard to list this game any higher just yet. The Saints could very well defeat the Broncos, but it will all depend on how much that defense improves.
13. Week 5 vs. The Atlanta Falcons
Another placement that feels like a bit of an unintentional insult. The fact is, we don’t know who the 2016 Atlanta Falcons will be. They could be a serious AFC South contender as they appeared to be after starting 5-0 last year. They could also resemble the team that went 3-8 over their last eleven games. Matt Ryan had a bit of a down year in 2015 and figures to bounce back, so this one is no gimme. The Broncos may have an elite defense, but the X factor here is Julio Jones. Jones burned the comparably dominant Carolina defense to the tune of nine catches for 178 yards and a touchdown, en route to handing the Panthers their only regular season loss of 2015. If the Broncos can’t keep him in check, we’re looking at a very different game script.
14. Week 8 vs. The San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are always competitive with the Broncos but the reason this game ranks lower on this list is simple. San Diego is going to give the Broncos everything they have on October 13th and this contest falls a mere seventeen days later. It’s not impossible that the Chargers win this one, but their chances are better at home in prime-time in week six. It’s hard to give a team your best game, and then duplicate the feat so shortly thereafter on the road. The advantage is firmly in Denver’s favor for the re-match.
15. Week 4 @ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
To be clear, this is no slight to the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is a team that could become a player in the NFC South as soon as this year, and Jameis Winston looks the part of a future franchise quarterback. However, the youngster will have only 19 NFL starts under his belt when he encounters Wade Phillips‘ ferocious defense in Week 4. The Broncos’ elite pass rush and top notch secondary will likely prove too dominant to overcome for an up-and-coming Tampa offense.
16. Week 14 @ The Tennessee Titans
Much of what was said of the aforementioned Buccaneers can be applied to the Tennessee Titans. Sophomore franchise quarterback? Check. New head coach? Check. A lot of reason for future optimism. Absolutely. However, in the interim, many questions remain. We’ve yet to see what we can expect from Mike Mularkey‘s “exotic smash-mouth” offense, but it likely won’t matter against 2015’s top defense. Tennessee is on their way to being competitive, but this is a tough test for a young team. Marcus Mariota might face a lot of pressure in this one.
Make sure you also read the eight most difficult games on Denver’s schedule.
