2013 Denver Broncos Season Preview
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Is there another team approaching the 2013 season with a higher sense of urgency than the Denver Broncos? Now that it’s been roundly established that Peyton Manning still has what it takes, the Broncos have recognized their short window and are gunning for it in 2013. Coming off a year where they entered the postseason as the hottest team in the league, they now look to take it to the next level.
Last year’s exit in the divisional playoffs was disappointing. It’s important to remember, however, that it took two overtimes for the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens to beat the Broncos in a game that easily could have gone the other way. So despite not making what you would call a deep playoff run, it’s not hard to see how a few adjustments can make the necessary difference to put Denver right where they want to be.
The offseason offered some promise. Sure, there was the strange departure of defensive standout Elvis Dumervil, who is now with Baltimore. Besides that, most news out of Denver has been positive. If ex-Charger Shaun Phillips can regain the form of a few years ago, he should make the Dumervil loss stand out less. Throw into the mix rookie first-rounder DT Sylvester Williams and one shouldn’t expect this “D” to take a big step back this season.
Keeping in mind that Denver had a pair of 1000-yard receivers last season in Decker and Thomas, one can only wonder how good the receiving corps will now be with the addition of Wes Welker. It’s hard to imagine that signing not giving the already-robust aerial attack an extra boost. And though it remains to be seen how he fares with the bog boys, rookie running back Montee Ball is creating a lot of optimism in Denver. Along with rising Ronnie Hillman and Broncos veteran Knowshon Moreno, the run attack should help give the Broncos the versatility they need to establish distance from most teams they play this year.
Some good things happened on the O-line. After a lot of wrangling, they finally locked up stud tackle Ryan Clady to an extension. The addition of Chargers’ guard Louis Vasquez adds a nice physical element to their interior line. With an aging quarterback and a running game looking to make more waves this season, the line is going to need to be good. All signs point toward that eventuality.
A lot has changed in the span of one season. Prior to last season, most had a cautious wait-and-see approach with Denver with so many question marks looming. After such a successful season, the expectations are now sky-high. They have imposed on themselves a “Super Bowl or bust” outlook. Will that be a good thing? Demanding a lot out of the team is good, but the pressure is certainly on in Denver to make 2013 a banner season.
Still, their standing is slightly-tenuous. A ton is riding on Peyton Manning and should something unforeseen happen to him, it will make it tough. It’s just a little disconcerting when so much is riding on a 37-year old quarterback, even if he showed last season that he is still among the best in the biz. Just because he managed to get through last season doesn’t make this upcoming season a certainty. Needless to say, Manning needs to stay healthy. Any quarterback loss is bad, but it’s hard to think of a team that has as much wrapped up in their QB.
If he does stay healthy, there is no reason not to expect some big things this year. They are clearly the class of a weak AFC West, and should win at least 5 of 6 against the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs. Looking at the rest of their schedule, there are some tough games, but the Broncos will have an inside track to locking up home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Nothing is guaranteed in this business. Denver looks to be a viable Super Bowl candidate, but it’s a long season that lies ahead. All signs are good, but the NFL is not played on paper. Any number of different ugly variables could spring up and rob Denver of their potential. Then again, that could happen to any team. As it stands now, Denver is a rightful favorite to take the AFC. If a few things fall into place, like an elevated running game and if some of the new acquisitions pan out on both sides of the ball, Denver should be tough. Look for a big year in the mile high city, however, at 7/1 odds there's better wagering value on the board.
