What is a realistic expectation for the Broncos record at the end of the year?

[sneakers]

12-4, 11-5?

What do you think is reasonable?

[MileHighCrew]

My orange coloured glasses say 13-3

[CrazyHorse]

Manning breaks his neck and we finish 4-12. Realistically though, I was thinking 10-6 at the beginning of the season. I still think that's around where we will end up. I'd love to go 13-3 and finish with first round bye though.

[TXBRONC]

Realistically 11-5 is a very possible even 12-4 is realistic. Could we run the table and go 13-3 like MHC suggested? It's possible. I don't think that will happen it is possible.

[UnderArmour]

13-3. We've already played all the tough teams on our schedule and Baltimore's D shouldn't be the same without Carr and Lewis. This team came together 2nd half against San Diego and should stay together all year and have another season like we did in 05 (except with a pass rush).

Our receivers have developed chemistry with Manning and our O-coordinator pulled his head from his ass and is running the no-huddle full time now. We've got some talented first and second year players starting to make plays in Chris Harris(an absolute stud), Derick Wolfe, Ronnie Hillman, and Virgil Green. If I'm another team on our schedule I would not want to play us.

[Skinny]

11-5 is my crystal ball guess but i could see 12-4 being realistic the way were coming together. I doubt we run the table though.

[Nomad]

I said 9-7 at the beginning of the year but I'll say 10-6 to end the year.

[catfish]

11-5 or 12-4 depending on how the ball bounces, I must say much better than I thought it would be. You guys look like a real superbowl contender

[ATLbroNCO]

12-4. I think we either lose the Baltimore game (they have had our number as of late) or one of the remaining division games... Division opponents usually play us pretty tough and will look to spoil our success.

[Nomad]

12-4. I think we either lose the Baltimore game (they have had our number as of late) or one of the remaining division games... Division opponents usually play us pretty tough and will look to spoil our success.

I agree. I see the BRONCOS losing to Baltimore, one of the division games, and perhaps one of those other early games. That should put them at 10-6.

[MasterShake]

I picked us going 11-5 so I will stick with that. Short of an injury bug things are trending up in my opinion. If we stay healthy and Manning and the defense continues to improve, the only games I can see losing just because of history (early east coast games, etc.) are The Bengals and Ravens. Tampa Bay could be a tough game the way they have been playing, but having them at home could help. I see no reason we can't sweep the division at this point. Its bad. I mean, really bad. Our closest competition is the Raiders at this point and we already smoked them. I know its a game by game league, but I expect we do the same in Oakland.

[CoachChaz]

I love it when someone says "could be 13-3...12-4 is reasonable...11-5 is doable...10-6 is what I predict".


Loosely translated, of course. LOL

[silkamilkamonico]

10-6

I do think we will have a game or 2 letdown, or maybe we just get outplayed.

[vandammage13]

10-6/11-5...schedule looks very winnable from here on out, but we'll drop 1 or 2 we should win.

[Dzone]

16-3. Lombardi trophy

[Ravage!!!]

I think 10-6.. but 11-5 obviously isn't outside of reach and woudln't surprise me with Manning.

[UnderArmour]

For those saying 10-6 or 11-5, realistically who else is going to beat us? We dropped 3 games to Atlanta, Houston, and New England early in the year but in all 3 games we made a second half surge and were one possession away from winning. If we didn't forget to show up for the first half of games, this team could be undefeated right now. Of those three losses, Atlanta is the only team similar to us in the sense they have no one major strength or weakness that defines their team to be exploited and we only lost there because of turnovers. Baltimore is the same way but I don't expect us to be polished by that point to not make those kinds of mistakes.

We should be favored to win the rest of our schedule presuming injuries do not become a factor. 13-3 or 12-4 is realistic.

[CoachChaz]

For those saying 10-6 or 11-5, realistically who else is going to beat us? We dropped 3 games to Atlanta, Houston, and New England early in the year but in all 3 games we made a second half surge and were one possession away from winning. If we didn't forget to show up for the first half of games, this team could be undefeated right now. Of those three losses, Atlanta is the only team similar to us in the sense they have no one major strength or weakness that defines their team to be exploited and we only lost there because of turnovers. Baltimore is the same way but I don't expect us to be polished by that point to not make those kinds of mistakes.

We should be favored to win the rest of our schedule presuming injuries do not become a factor. 13-3 or 12-4 is realistic.

Realistic...but not likely. We play a slew of teams that could have a "good day" and/or we could just simply have a let down. Happens all the time. Did Patriot fans look at Arizona on the schedule and worry about them? No. Muych like we arent currently worrying about Carolina or Tampa Bay, etc.

[Ravage!!!]

Yes.. "favored" to win is right. But how many upsets were there this last weekend? The NFL is so close now days, that the "lines" are usually around 3-5 points. I'm not saying we won't be favored on nearly.. if not all... the games for the rst of the season, but we WILL lose another 1-2 games. it just happens. I would LOVE that we don't, but I think its more realistic to see that we most probably will lose to a team we shouldn't (just as every team in the NFL except the Falcons has), than to think we won't.

[CoachChaz]

Yes.. "favored" to win is right. But how many upsets were there this last weekend? The NFL is so close now days, that the "lines" are usually around 3-5 points. I'm not saying we won't be favored on nearly.. if not all... the games for the rst of the season, but we WILL lose another 1-2 games. it just happens. I would LOVE that we don't, but I think its more realistic to see that we most probably will lose to a team we shouldn't (just as every team in the NFL except the Falcons has), than to think we won't.

Which...in reality...could be a good thing. Gotta know where you need the most work before the playoffs start.

[Gyro]

I say 11-5. May very well be good enough for a 1st round bye (The game against Baltimore may be massive). I find it difficult to bet against a team with a top 5 QB, a top 5 offense, and a D with top 10 statistics (realistically they are just a little above average though). However, turnovers and bone head mistakes have been a problem in special teams and for some of the younger guys. McGahee has also caught the fumble bug again.

I think they have a game or two wherein this mistakes rear their ugly head once again. Still, would be a remarkable finish to the season. This team is so fun to watch right now.

[jhildebrand]

12-4 with the only additional loss being to Baltimore. #1 or #2 seed in PO's

11-5 at the very, very worst.

[Ravage!!!]

I made the comment when McGahee went in for the short TD, that he better cover up that ball better...because even with 2 hands he wasn't holding onto the ball with the second. He's very poor as far as protecting the football... and Hillis.... dropped it twice. That should be SUCh a huge part of practices now days in Denver...

[NightTerror218]

I am going to go 11-5 with 1 random loss against a team we should win. We are not a perfect team and we need to be consistent with playing mistake free.

[LTC Pain]

10-6 and we get into the 2nd round of the playoffs at least.

[slim]

10-6

[MasterShake]

Someone brought up the possibility today of the Broncos finishing with a 3 seed and the Colts with a 6. Can you imagine the hype surrounding a wild card game between Luck and Manning?

[NightTerror218]

For those saying 10-6 or 11-5, realistically who else is going to beat us? We dropped 3 games to Atlanta, Houston, and New England early in the year but in all 3 games we made a second half surge and were one possession away from winning. If we didn't forget to show up for the first half of games, this team could be undefeated right now. Of those three losses, Atlanta is the only team similar to us in the sense they have no one major strength or weakness that defines their team to be exploited and we only lost there because of turnovers. Baltimore is the same way but I don't expect us to be polished by that point to not make those kinds of mistakes.

We should be favored to win the rest of our schedule presuming injuries do not become a factor. 13-3 or 12-4 is realistic.

we should be favored, but any given sunday. And a game with mistakes can cost us a game. We are not close to a mistake free football team.

[Day1BroncoFan]

I say we get 9 or 10 wins like I said before. That can change if we play every game like we played the last 1.5 games. I hope for better.

[Dean]

At the beginning of the season I thought that PFM would heal most of our wounds and we would go 10-6. We are a game ahead of what I expected right now. So. . . maybe 11-5 will be the regular season record.

[sneakers]

10-6 peeps, look at the rest of the schedule, and tell me how we are going to get 3 more losses out of it

[NightTerror218]

10-6 peeps, look at the rest of the schedule, and tell me how we are going to get 3 more losses out of it

Any given sunday and shit happens. As long as we make the playoffs I am happy.

[Day1BroncoFan]

We win the division any way you look at it unless we have a complete melt down or an inury at a key postion.

[NightTerror218]

We win the division any way you look at it unless we have a complete melt down or an inury at a key postion.

and the sad/funny thing is the raiders are the closest competition.

[Hawgdriver]

Realistic and end of season are hard to combine for me. One week at a time.

[Chef Zambini]

Manning breaks his neck and we finish 4-12. Realistically though, I was thinking 10-6 at the beginning of the season. I still think that's around where we will end up. I'd love to go 13-3 and finish with first round bye though.bingo! I too had the broncos at 10-6 before the start of the season. to finish out undefeated is reasonable and possible.
But a loss to baltimore is 'traditional' and a few bad plays in a single game could trip us up as well.
win the division,solid.
HFA, we would need a loan.
11-5 my new prediction.
2 more losses along the way, one of them, most likely baltimore.

[BroncoWave]

I think we go 12-4. There isn't another team on our schedule who can keep up with our offense IMO. We'll drop one somewhere, but I like our chances in every game.

[Northman]

Before the Saints win i said 11-5. Now it could be 12-4 but thats so as long as Denver doesnt have any hiccups. Maybe even 13-3 with the Ravens hurting a bit.

[TXBRONC]

Realistic...but not likely. We play a slew of teams that could have a "good day" and/or we could just simply have a let down. Happens all the time. Did Patriot fans look at Arizona on the schedule and worry about them? No. Muych like we arent currently worrying about Carolina or Tampa Bay, etc.


The remaining schedule is favorable but doesn't guarantee victory. We as fans can be dismissive all we want because we're not the ones going out onto the field. As long the team doesn't I have confidence they will have a lot success.

[TXBRONC]

I think we go 12-4. There isn't another team on our schedule who can keep up with our offense IMO. We'll drop one somewhere, but I like our chances in every game.

The Ravens and the Bengals are capable of it.

[NightTerror218]

I think prior to the season I had us at 10-6 with losses to ATL, HOU, NE, NO, Bal, and SD.

[BroncoWave]

The Ravens and the Bengals are capable of it.

The Bengals don't scare me a bit. I would be shocked if we drop this one. With Champ on AJ how exactly is their offense supposed to keep up with ours? We just shut down a Saints offense that I would say is better than Cincy's.

[MasterShake]

The Bengals don't scare me a bit. I would be shocked if we drop this one. With Champ on AJ how exactly is their offense supposed to keep up with ours? We just shut down a Saints offense that I would say is better than Cincy's.

Same here. Take away Green and they got nothing. The only drawback is the early start.

[slim]

10-6 peeps, look at the rest of the schedule, and tell me how we are going to get 3 more losses out of it

Early eastern games will bite us. At least once or twice.

[Northman]

The Bengals don't scare me a bit. I would be shocked if we drop this one. With Champ on AJ how exactly is their offense supposed to keep up with ours? We just shut down a Saints offense that I would say is better than Cincy's.

Agreed. We beat them twice with Orton at QB. Im not worried at all.

[Ravage!!!]

The remaining schedule is favorable but doesn't guarantee victory. We as fans can be dismissive all we want because we're not the ones going out onto the field. As long the team doesn't I have confidence they will have a lot success.

Exactly, and the favored team isn't exactly racking up the wins throughout the NFL on a week-to-week basis. Upsets happen every Sunday. 3 Losses feels like a LOT right now considering how the team is playing and how the schedule looks....but its not like its a large leap.

Not to mention we still have 4 more divisional games to play. I don't care HOW bad a team is inside your division, those are usually hard to come by, and very hard to sweep. SD and chiefs still at their stadium.... don't count those as wins purely because their teams aren't good right now.

[ForgettingBrandonMarshall]

SD and chiefs still at their stadium.... don't count those as wins purely because their teams aren't good right now.

I think you mean Oakland and KC at their stadium. I like our chances at home against the Chargers. The wind appears to be out of their sails.

[TXBRONC]

The Bengals don't scare me a bit. I would be shocked if we drop this one. With Champ on AJ how exactly is their offense supposed to keep up with ours? We just shut down a Saints offense that I would say is better than Cincy's.

And we were at home when we did it being on the road can make difference.

It's not that don't think Denver can win but I don't think it's walk in the park.

[Chef Zambini]

if we treat Any GAME like a "walk in the park"
we will get mugged !

[BroncoWave]

And we were at home when we did it being on the road can make difference.

It's not that don't think Denver can win but I don't think it's walk in the park.

The best team Cincinnati has beaten in the last two seasons was 9-7 Tennessee last year. They simply do not beat good teams, even at home. This would be our worst loss of the season if we lose. Assuming Champ takes care of AJ, I just don't see what the Bengals have on offense that can hurt us.

[BroncoWave]

if we treat Any GAME like a "walk in the park"
we will get mugged !

Luckily I'm a fan and can treat any game I want as a walk in the park and it will have no impact on the outcome.

[DenBronx]

I think the very least we lose is 1 game and the very most is 3. Anywhere between 10-6 and 13-3 should be the final record. 12 or 13 wins I think will get us 1st or 2nd seed depending on if Houston can keep it up. I see the Pats losing more games than Houston. Not every game is a gimmie but I think we will sweep the AFCW. The only team that really worries me is Balt but now they lost Lewis and Webb for the season not to mention their offense hasnt looked scary at all. I think our defense shuts them down and our offense will be too much for a beat up Ravens defense.

It would be nice to go on a really really long win streak. Manning has done that many times in his career and the more time he gets with these WRs then look out NFL!!!

109 QBR.....better than Brady and Rogers. Manning for MVP AND Comeback Player of the Year!!

[Dapper Dan]

Somewhat relevant.

I was just glancing over our past games. We haven't lost a game by more than 10 and our wins have all been by more than 10. Our closest win was to SD, in which it was 24-0 at the half.

[Canmore]

I said 10-6 before the season started. Realistically, I don't see 3 losses even though we have a number of road games and some early starts. Somewhere though I feel we will drop 1 or 2 games even though we may well be favored in every game left and that includes the Ravens. 11-5 or 12-4. My gut says 11-5. Don't know how accurate that is.

[TXBRONC]

The best team Cincinnati has beaten in the last two seasons was 9-7 Tennessee last year. They simply do not beat good teams, even at home. This would be our worst loss of the season if we lose. Assuming Champ takes care of AJ, I just don't see what the Bengals have on offense that can hurt us.

They have a solid tight end in Gresham and there is one thing still has been a problem for the us is match up problems with good tight ends.

[Dapper Dan]

Them bangals ain't never beat Peyton.

[DenBronx]

Somewhat relevant.

I was just glancing over our past games. We haven't lost a game by more than 10 and our wins have all been by more than 10. Our closest win was to SD, in which it was 24-0 at the half.


Even in our losses we have been in every game this year. I think agains Atlanta Manning was just shaking off the rust and Houston we just had way to many costly turnovers. But in the end we still had a shot to beat them as well as the Pats. No blowouts.....and as the season goes on I think Manning will drop a 50 point game on someone.....possibly the Browns.

[BroncoWave]

They have a solid tight end in Gresham and there is one thing still has been a problem for the us is match up problems with good tight ends.

We've improved against TEs lately. Graham and Gates didn't do much against us the last two weeks. Both of those guys are better than Gresham.

I dunno, maybe there is something I'm not seeing, but I'm just not worried about this game. The Bengals just don't beat good teams. In the Bengals last 56 games, they have beaten exactly TWO playoff teams, both of those coming in 2010.

[Dapper Dan]

We've improved against TEs lately. Graham and Gates didn't do much against us the last two weeks. Both of those guys are better than Gresham.

I dunno, maybe there is something I'm not seeing, but I'm just not worried about this game. The Bengals just don't beat good teams. In the Bengals last 56 games, they have beaten exactly TWO playoff teams, both of those coming in 2010.

Damn. How many Tight Ends do we face with a last name that starts with G? Graham, Gresham, Gates, Gonzales, Gronkowski, Graham(Texans).

[catfish]

I think 10-6.. but 11-5 obviously isn't outside of reach and woudln't surprise me with Manning.

I guess it depends on if last game is indicative of the rest of the year, but if that same team shows up each week I don't see them losing. Manning is having an ridiculous year and the D is out of their mind

[Joel]

9-7±1

10-6 peeps, look at the rest of the schedule, and tell me how we are going to get 3 more losses out of it
Baltimore, Cincy and probably 2 division games, maybe more. Assuming we beat Carolina and Tampa (and while we were destroying the Saints the Bucs were doing the same to the Vikings.) A solid win over Cincy would convince me we're legit; predicting a playoff run now seems a bit pollyanna for a team that's been down 20+ points in more than half its games.


Even in our losses we have been in every game this year. I think agains Atlanta Manning was just shaking off the rust and Houston we just had way to many costly turnovers. But in the end we still had a shot to beat them as well as the Pats. No blowouts.....and as the season goes on I think Manning will drop a 50 point game on someone.....possibly the Browns.
I'm not calling you out or anything, man, but really wish people would stop saying stuff like this, because I just don't think it's true. Atlanta beat us before the end of the first quarter; turnovers were critical, but losing the turnover battle is one of the key things that separates good teams from bad. Houston and NE beat us by half time, and if SD hadn't collapsed before our Ds onslaught they would've done the same.

Four teams beat the tar out of us, then played prevent and ran the ball to protect it while killing the second half clock. That worked 3/4 times; the exception being when our D killed SDs prevent by allowing just 2.4 YPA running and forcing turnovers. THAT is why we clawed our way back to within a TD to make the Texans and Falcons' thrashing look respectable on paper, and "only" lost to NE by 10. It doesn't prove we're good, it proves prevent works as long as you don't do something stupid (e.g. Romo and Rivers handing beaten opponents two second half TDs to blow a 24 point lead for the second and third time in NFL history.)

[gregbroncs]

I think 12-4 is highly likely right now. I would actually be dissappointed with anything less than 11-5. With their remaining schedule losing more than 2 of those games would be underachieving for this team.

[MasterShake]

I think 12-4 is highly likely right now. I would actually be dissappointed with anything less than 11-5. With their remaining schedule losing more than 2 of those games would be underachieving for this team.

Tampa Bay is suddenly raising some alarms for me. Have to remind myself that they put up those numbers against the Raiders. But still...

[slim]

Still 10-6

[Nomad]

Carolina

[Foochacho]

Not worried about Carolina at all. The way our secondary and line is stepping up Cam is going to get ate alive. Tampa is scary, Baltimore is always scary if healthy. Divisional games can be tough but chargers are probably the only team that could give us a loss. I think we could win out but that is hard to do. We should beat any team on this schedule but we will probably beat ourselves 1 or 2 more times. Either way the division is ours and hopefully a first round bye.

[NightTerror218]

Not worried about Carolina at all. The way our secondary and line is stepping up Cam is going to get ate alive. Tampa is scary, Baltimore is always scary if healthy. Divisional games can be tough but chargers are probably the only team that could give us a loss. I think we could win out but that is hard to do. We should beat any team on this schedule but we will probably beat ourselves 1 or 2 more times. Either way the division is ours and hopefully a first round bye.

Have to contain Cam. They are coming off a win and they could run us to death if they could actually take advantage of their offense correctly. I think Smith will be shut out by Champ. However their running game could hurt us a lot if they went heavy and isolated Cam arm as their offensive weakness.

[ATLbroNCO]

I think against TB it will be all about the run defense, and then can we get off the field on 3rd and 4-6 yards. Their RB is coming on strong (that is an understatement). I think it would be a shame if we finished anywhere below 11 wins, but I think that 12 is a definite possibility. 13 wins, now that is a stretch.
Expecting any team to go on an 11-0 stretch is asking for near perfection. Can it happen, yes. Will it happen? It seems to me there are heavy odds against us... If you just look at the probability of winning 11 games in a row (which I do not know if there is a definitive number), it cannot be favorable.

[TXBRONC]

First things first, Denver has to take care of business against the Panthers.

[NightTerror218]

Just say a quote from Riveria about asked how to stop Manning

"Boy, I tell you what, hope he has a bad day," Rivera said. "He is who he is."

That is not much confidence in his defense at all.

[jhildebrand]

12-4 with the only additional loss being to Baltimore. #1 or #2 seed in PO's

11-5 at the very, very worst.

The #1 seed it is :salute:

[Dzone]

16-3. Lombardi trophy
Ya, I said that on October 30...its going to happen

[Skinny]

11-5 is my crystal ball guess but i could see 12-4 being realistic the way were coming together. I doubt we run the table though.Well shut my mouth.

[tomjonesrocks]

Doesn't look like I replied, but I will own 9-7 or 10-6.

SD was a lot worse than I expected. I gave Denver's opponents this year too much respect. And I simply had no clue Denver could get this good this fast. This is a great roster! I didn't see it.

[MileHighCrew]

My orange coloured glasses say 13-3

it appears my glasses were more of a crystal ball

[SR]

Well shut my mouth.

I didn't think Denver would win out either.

[Northman]

Before the Saints win i said 11-5. Now it could be 12-4 but thats so as long as Denver doesnt have any hiccups. Maybe even 13-3 with the Ravens hurting a bit.


Im a real Nostrildamus....

[DenBronx]

I think the very least we lose is 1 game and the very most is 3. Anywhere between 10-6 and 13-3 should be the final record. 12 or 13 wins I think will get us 1st or 2nd seed depending on if Houston can keep it up. I see the Pats losing more games than Houston. Not every game is a gimmie but I think we will sweep the AFCW. The only team that really worries me is Balt but now they lost Lewis and Webb for the season not to mention their offense hasnt looked scary at all. I think our defense shuts them down and our offense will be too much for a beat up Ravens defense.

It would be nice to go on a really really long win streak. Manning has done that many times in his career and the more time he gets with these WRs then look out NFL!!!

109 QBR.....better than Brady and Rogers. Manning for MVP AND Comeback Player of the Year!!

I'm a damn good football prophet!!!! You phags need to quit arguing with me!

[FanInAZ]

I guess I didn't chime in on this thread. Looking at our last 11 games, every one of them (except the Ravens) looked inferior to the Broncos at the time. However, the Broncos were playing so inconsistent at the time that they looked like they could finish anywhere between 7-9 & 12-4. That's why I was reluctant to make any predictions at that time.

[Skinny]

I didn't think Denver would win out either.I don't think we'll win the Super Bowl either.

[SR]

I don't think we'll win the Super Bowl either.

No chance

[CrazyHorse]

I'm revising my prediction. I say 16-3.

[NightTerror218]

I am going to go 11-5 with 1 random loss against a team we should win. We are not a perfect team and we need to be consistent with playing mistake free.

Glad to be wrong

[Chef Zambini]

Im a real Nostrildamus....NORTHstradamus !

[Chef Zambini]

nice job sneakers, fun thread !

[Joel]

I freely admit blowing this one, but it doesn't exactly disappoint me. With the Texans D limping around and forced to play next week, then on the road (if there IS a "then,") the Vikings forced to play Green Bay again next week in Lambeau without their two best DBs and one of their best remaining WRs, and Romo choking the Cowboys out of the postseason yet again, Denver is about all I've got.

Here's hoping they're enough, because I don't see the Vikings or Texans going all the way, and the Falcons and Seahawks are about the only other playoff teams I can stand.