Prognostications and a Receiver Dilemma

All the reports out of Dove Valley proclaim that this is one of the best, most exciting training camps in the last few years. The fans are cautiously optimistic as am I that this will be a great season. If the Broncos can stay healthy, they should easily win 10 games and possibly more. They should win 5 division games: they should take both from rebuilding Raiders, they should beat KC in Denver and sneak out a win in KC, and they should split with the Chargers who will struggle with a new coaching staff but can rely on LT to win one in San Diego. If they can take 5 division games, it should be easy to do better than .500 against the rest of the schedule. The Broncos should beat Buffalo in their opener. They should beat Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay all at home. Detroit, Houston, Tennessee, and Minnesota are also easily winnable. That's 13 potential wins (giving them losses against SD, Indy, and the Bears). Let's say 11-12 if they happen to lose to the Chiefs in KC and/or lose some other road game. 11-12 wins is a helluva season and will guarantee the Broncos a playoff spot and probably home-field advantage until the AFC championship game.

11-12 wins would be great. Jay Cutler, until he proves otherwise, gets to strut into the season with all the confidence in the world. The only problem is that he might be strutting with Javon Walker and Travis Henry, but no one else. The Broncos have some gaping holes at receiver. Rod Smith is a question-mark right now and probably can't be counted on until at least midway through the season. Brandon Stokely will probably start the season at the #2 spot, though he is an ideal slot guy. A lot hinges on Brandon Marshall who, like Smith, is a question mark. He could be the second coming of Rod Smith, or he could be the second coming of Marcus Nash. Until he actually plays, we can't be sure. Tony Sheffler would be a tremendous asset if he gets healthy in time for the season, but his injury will take some time to heal and then he'll be a month or two behind in training and conditioning. It's too early to get really worried, but unless something happens soon the Broncos will have to over-rely on their running game which will only hurt them as the season progresses.

Their first preseason game is on August 13 against the 49ers, the team that kept them out of the playoffs and, to be honest, made them look like JV amateurs in last season's finale. Sure it's the preseason, but the Broncos should dominate while the starters play, and maybe a few receiver issues will be resolved.