2018 Record - 6-10-0
Head Coach - Vic Fangio
Newcomers for 2019 - Joe Flacco (QB), Kareem Jackson (DB), Bryce Callahan (DB), Ja'Wuan James (OL), Jake Brendel (OL)
Keys on Offense - Quarterback Joe Flacco joins the team after eleven seasons in Baltimore. Flacco passed for 2,465 yards with twelve touchdowns and six interceptions a year ago. Rookie draft pick Drew Lock (Missouri) will be the backup quarterback.
Phillip Lindsay led the team in rushing last season, going for 1,037 yards (5.4 ypc average) and scored nine touchdowns along with 35 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown. Royce Freeman rushed for 521 yards (4.0 ypc) and scored five times.
Emmanuel Sanders led the team in receptions last year, catching 71 passes for 868 yards and four touchdowns. Courtland Sutton had 42 receptions for 704 yards and four touchdowns. DaeSean Hamilton (30, 243, two TD) is another wideout. Tight ends include top rookie pick Noah Fant (Iowa) and Jeff Heuerman, who had 31 receptions for 281 yards and two scores.
Keys on Defense - Von Miller (14 1/2 QB sacks) and fellow linebacker Bradley Chubb (12 sacks) lead the way for the Broncos defense. Adam Gotsis (three sacks), Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris man the front line.
In the secondary are corners Chris Harris, Jr. (three interceptions) and Kareem Jackson, who picked off two passes with the Houston Texans last season. Bryce Callahan (two INT with Chicago) is another ball hawk at the corner position. The safeties are Justin Simmons and Will Parks.
Denver intercepted 17 passes last season and totaled 44 QB sacks while giving up 21.8 points per game, which was 13th in the NFL. The Broncos finished 22nd in total defense, allowing 365 yards per game.
OUTLOOK - New Head Coach Vic Fangio built a top notch defense in Chicago and now he finally gets his chance as the top man in Denver.
The Broncos defense was opportunistic in 2018 (a plus-7 in the turnover category) but gave up too many big plays. They were in the lower third overall defensively in the NFL against both the run and pass. Miller and Chubb bring the pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but the rest of the defense needs to turn it up a notch this season, especially against divisional foes Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers high powered offenses.
The Broncos offense was middle of the pack a year ago (119 yards rushing per game and 231 passing yards) while finishing 19th on offense with 350 yards per game. Denver averaged 20.6 points per game. This season they will have a new quarterback as Joe Flacco takes over. The 12-year veteran was benched last season as (Ravens) made a late season run to the post-season with a rookie quarterback leading the offense.
The big question is whether Flacco still has the mojo to bolster the offense to higher point totals. If so, this team could contend for a playoff spot. If not, then perhaps rookie QB Drew Lock will get the chance to show he can do the job.
The Broncos will likely finish third in the AFC West again this season as they attempt to overtake the Chiefs and Chargers, which is a tough task. They did battle Kansas City tough both times (losses) last year (one score games) and split their two games with Los Angeles and Oakland. A repeat of last year's 6-10 record appears likely for the Broncos as they reset things on offense and Fangio looks to recharge the once dominant defense.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Oakland
Week 2 - vs. Chicago
Week 3 - at Green Bay
Week 4 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 5 - at LA Chargers
Week 6 - vs. Tennessee
Week 7 - vs. Kansas City
Week 8 - at Indianapolis
Week 9 - vs. Cleveland
Week 10 - BYE
Week 11 - at Minnesota
Week 12 - at Buffalo
Week 13 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 14 - at Houston
Week 15 - at Kansas City
Week 16 - vs. Detroit
Week 17 - vs. Oakland
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