2009-2010 Denver Broncos Prediction and Preview

Last Season -

The Denver Broncos were amidst one of the most tragic stories to end the regular season in 2008. Heading into the last 3 weeks of the season, the Broncos held a 3 game advantage over the San Diego Chargers. However, the Broncos lost their final 3 games including a battle with the Chargers keeping them out of the post-season. The Broncos owned a dynamic passing attack led by Jay Cutler that averaged 395 yards per game which equaled the 2nd most in the NFL. The passing game also racked up 280 yards per game through the air. Even with the Broncos so strong on offense, it still was not enough to put together a strong series. Denver’s defense was the big reason to their downfall. The Broncos were among the 5 worse defenses in the NFL. Even with their high powered offense, it was not enough to overcome the weakness on defense. The Broncos allowed opponents to rack up 374 yards of offense while giving up 28 points per game. However, the man that many feel responsible for the success on offense in quarterback Jay Cutler is now no longer in Denver after an absurd off-season trade. Kyle Orton will now take over the reigns behind center to see if the Broncos offense can be similarly effective in 2009.

Off Season -

The Broncos off-season mostly consisted of trying to find a solid running back to control the ground game. Denver locked down that need by selecting Knowshon Moreno in the first round of the NFL Draft. If you kept up with college football at all last season, you have likely heard the name Knowshon Moreno. Moreno is a small back, but you would never guess it by the way he plays. Moreno consistently made the highlight reel last season in Georgia showing off his explosive quickness and knack for making the big plays. The Broncos may have really gotten a solid back if Moreno can develop as anticipated. The Broncos also added defensive end Robert Ayers to the roster. Ayers is a solid power end from the University of Tennessee who certainly can not hurt the ailing defense. Denver sought after some much need in the secondary with their next 3 out of 4 selections including cornerback Alphonso Smith who could see really early playing time this season. Denver also picked up WR Jabar Gaffney through free agency. Gaffney is a player that has been quiet over the last few years, but has the ability to make plays when put in the right situations.

2009 Preview -

Well call us crazy, but just don’t see why the Broncos would have given up their only all-star on offense. With Cutler being gone, there is a ton of questions on offense. We all seen how Kyle Orton performed in Chicago and will anything be different in the mile high city? Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal both had solid seasons in 2008, but it will be very interesting to see if they can put up similar numbers with Orton behind center. Defensively, there are not any immediate impacts that will drastically change underachieving defense mainly in the secondary. The defense added some depth and young talent, but not sure how much that will help them in 2009. Hopefully, for Denver that Moreno can have an Adrian Peterson type of outbreak in Denver and keep the offense moving.

2009 Prediction -

If Denver is to have some success this season, it is imperative that they get off to a solid start. The Broncos must take advantage of their first 3 games with Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Oakland. After those 3 games, the schedule gets absolutely brutal with Dallas, New England, Baltimore and Pittsburgh following. The Broncos will have to have their offense clicking early or they could find themselves in a big hole to start the season. Not to mention the defenses will take on some gifted offenses during that stretch as well. Unfortunately, the Broncos will have to be playing extremely well to come out of that stretch of games with any success. We predict things go south and do not get turned around.

Pick - 2nd in AFC West (7-9 overall). Read the rest of our NFL previews here.