Bronco Country is not a fan base satisfied with mediocrity. Unfortunately for the past few years, they have had to endure just that, if not worse. However, this season has the potential to bring a new-found optimism and excitement that Denver Broncos fans have been longing for. In a jammed pack AFC West, the road back to the playoffs won’t be easy, but the Broncos may just surprise the NFL.
Denver Broncos Season Preview for 2019
Offense
Since Peyton Manning’s departure, the Broncos have not found a serviceable signal-caller to replace the future Hall of Famer. Joe Flacco is no Peyton Manning of course, but he is the best the Broncos have had behind center since him. Flacco, in his nine games last year had a QBR of 58.7, good enough for a very average 17th in the NFL. Bronco quarterback last year, Case Keenum had a QBR of 47.9, which placed him 29th in the NFL. Now, Flacco’s QBR is nothing to celebrate, but it was ahead of Dak Prescott, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers and everyone’s favorite QB, Baker Mayfield. Flacco brings something to the quarterback position that Broncos have clearly been missing.
Flacco also has more help than the past couple Bronco quarterbacks. The offensive line led by coach Mike Munchak should be much improved. Garett Bolles seemed to have a good off-season, despite a couple of mishaps in the preseason. New additions at guard, Dalton Risner and Ja’Wuan James should give the Broncos an edge in the running game as well, and veterans Connor McGovern (in his new center role) and Ronald Leary should continue to bring their consistent and effective play on the offensive line.
An important aspect that the Broncos have been missing in previous years is creativity on offense. Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello will bring a creative element to the Broncos offense this year. With playmakers by the likes of Phillip Lindsay, Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton, it is imperative to get them the ball in space and find creative and innovative ways to get them involved. Lindsay is far too talented to have his role diminished to boring stretch runs and the occasional swing or screen pass. Adding an innovative mind like Scangarello to the coaching staff will hopefully turn the tide for the Broncos. The NFL can no longer be won with a ground and pound type of offense, and it is about time that the Broncos have an offensive coordinator who understands that. Despite the old style of coaching Vic Fangio brings, he understands how important it is to have an innovative offense, and luckily, the Broncos have the playmakers to make it work.
Defense
If the Broncos want to make the playoffs this year, their defense needs to return to their form of a couple of years ago. The additions of Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan in the secondary should help the Broncos mimic their No Fly Zone of their Super Bowl winning defense. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should expect to see rises in their sack numbers under a Vic Fangio defense, and Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis are the perfect run stoppers for the interior of the defense.
The Broncos have the perfect personnel to replicate what Fangio did with the Chicago Bears defense last year, which ranked amongst the best in the NFL. If the Broncos can buy into this new defense, it will help propel the whole team. The better the defense performs, the less pressure on Flacco and the rest of the offense, allowing Flacco to play loose and with confidence, which is when he is at his best. Flacco is not going to be able to lead this team by himself, but when he has been successful, it has been when he is supported by a top-tier defense, which the Broncos have the potential to be.
So What Should We Expect?
Broncos fans should be cautiously optimistic heading into the 2019/20 campaign. They have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL, but due to the way the NFL schedule works, so does the rest of their division. If all things go right for the Broncos, they can go 10-6, maybe even 11-5. However, if Flacco does not live up to the off-season hype, the rest of the offense can quickly go south. In today’s NFL, it is tough to have a winning record with a below-average offense. So if Flacco and the rest of the offense underperform for the Broncos yet again, expect a 7-9 season.
However, there are many reasons for Bronco Country to be excited with a revamped offense and top-tier defense. The Broncos have not had three straight losing seasons since 1972. They are poised for a bounce-back year. I expect three playoff teams out of the AFC-West this year, and we know the Oakland Raiders won’t be one of them. If all things go right, the Broncos should once again play meaningful football in December, and hopefully January.
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