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2014 Denver Broncos Schedule | Season Handicapping Picks

NFL Football Broncos Analysis

For the Denver Broncos, second place obviously wasn’t good enough. The team went out and added some All-Star pieces to their already stout lineup and shored up a few holes that maybe kept them from winning it all last year.

The acquisitions of DeMarcus Ware, TJ Ward and Aqib Talib show that the Broncos are “All-In” in 2014 – ready to eclipse the 13-3 mark from last year.

A look at the schedule reveals that the path to a 12 or 12 or 14 win season won’t be that easy – the beginning of the season features games against playoff teams from last year and the back end of the slate is littered with tough road games down the stretch.

Let’s take a look at the entire schedule to determine if the Broncos can eclipse the 11 win season win total Vegas has come out with.

Broncos Odds [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX: 7/1
Odds to win the 2015 AFC Conference: 11/1
Season Win Total: 11 wins

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.

The Broncos return to the scene of a 39-33 loss from last year – Indy has won six straight games in the series and seven of the last eight. BUT Denver is 5-1 in their last six opening weekend games and they will be out to prove early that their offseason changes were for the better of the team. Gotta love Denver in Prime Time here.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.

The Broncos won this matchup 9-6 last year in Denver. Denver has won four straight against KC – I think that streak continues.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

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This has all the makings of Denver`s first loss of the season. Look no further than what the Seahawks did to the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Add in the element of the CenturyLink crowd and Denver looks to be in tough in Week 3.

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, Arizona, 4:05 p.m.

The Cardinals are poised to break out this season – they were 10-6 last year and on the verge of a playoff spot. Arizona`s defense will be a challenge for Peyton and the boys but consider the Cards a large speed bump – not a serious threat to win in Denver.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

Off to MetLife in Week 6. This game looks to be a mismatch. Rex Ryan may offer some resistance but there is zero doubt about which is the more talented team here.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

The 49ers come to town in what should be the marquee matchup of Week 7 – the first matchup of these teams since 2002. If this game were in San Francisco, I would lean the 49ers way but look for Denver to hold serve and score just enough against San Francisco`s stout defense in this one.

Week 8: Thursday, Oct. 23, San Diego, 8:25 p.m.

Thursday night game against the Chargers – Divisional games are always closer than most think. San Diego actually beat the Broncos in Week 15 and Denver has its issues on Thursday nights – just 7-10. Phil Rivers has played well against Denver but he runs into the best team in the AFC in Week 8. Denver should win this game easily.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at New England, 4:25 p.m.

This is the third straight year the Broncos will head to Foxboro where Tom Brady is nearly unbeatable. A very tough first half of the season comes to a close for Denver with a terrific win over the Pats – just a hunch here!

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
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Everyone should beat Oakland this year. Don`t believe the “trap game” hype – Denver has won six of seven versus the Raiders overall and three straight in Oakland.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

No team got better at the draft than the Rams – they should possess a nice challenge for all teams this year – especially on home turf. The Broncos have lost four straight road games versus the Rams but I think that streak is broken. It is difficult to imagine the Rams being able to score enough to keep up here.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, Miami, 4:25 p.m.

At home versus what looks to be a dysfunctional Fins squad – this should be an easy win!

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m.

Thanksgiving weekend in KC for Denver – 10 of the last 11 years these teams have played on Thanksgiving at Arrowhead. The Broncos have won three straight in KC and five of six – the Arrowhead crowd doesn’t faze Denver. This has all the makings of another Broncos win.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, Buffalo, 4:05 p.m.

Buffalo just doesn’t have enough talent on either side of the ball here.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

Denver has lost three straight December games in San Diego but have won three straight overall at San Diego. Division games are always close and I expect this game to be no different. That said it is easy to see which is the better team here.

Week 16: Monday, Dec. 22, at Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m.

Monday nighter! The Broncos are just 3-2 in their last five trips to Cinci but the Bengals are just 2-2 in their last four prime-time games. I have a hard time buying the Bengals as an elite team – watch the Broncos dominate on the national TV stage!

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

What a treat! A date with the Raiders at home in the season finale. Peyton and the boys may rest but Denver should still be able to get it done!

Prediction

Denver will definitely have a tough road this year but there is just one team that is as talented as them – Seattle. In other words – every one of the Broncos games are winnable! Denver is a 12 or 13 win team – easy – 14 wins could be attainable!

The 11 wins that Vegas has set out looks to be a gift!

The 2014/15 NFL futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.

CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.