The Denver Broncos are off to a great start after edging out the Indianapolis Colts 31-24 in week one. While the Broncos escaped a late game scare, they appeared sharp and ready to take on another long year.
For the Broncos, one game is nothing. The Broncos understand there is a full season ahead of them. They also understand that it's going to take a lot of grit and luck to return to the Super Bowl. Odds aren't in the Broncos favor, but that isn't anything Peyton Manning isn't already used to.
Here are five games that will help determine whether or not the Broncos are true Super Bowl Contenders:
1) Week three: Sept. 21 @ Seattle
There is no question that this will be the early season matchup of the year. After getting dismantled by the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Broncos will need to do a lot to erase those nightmares.
However, with a win, they will help reassure the public that they are indeed a different team from a year ago.
The Seahawks appear improved from last season --believe it or not-- with a healthy Percy Harvin and that is a scary reality. This game will come down to which offense can produce and if the Broncos look anything like they did in last year's Super Bowl, the 12th Man will once again have their way.
Key matchup: Peyton Manning and Bronco offense against Seattle secondary
2) Week five: Oct. 5 vs. Cardinals
While the Broncos will have a bye week following their game against the Seahawks, they will have to immediately return and prepare for the visiting Cardinals. Patrick Peterson is ready to prove he is better than the outspoken Richard Sherman this year and it's not going to help the Bronco's cause.
For Manning and Co. this could well be the second best defense they play all year. In addition to Peterson, the Broncos will also be going up a Cardinals defense that ranked first in rushing yards allowed per game (84.4) last season. Add in the fact that the "Honey Badger" will be lining up alongside Peterson in the secondary and the Broncos will have a lot to worry about.
After losing Knowshon Moreno to the Dolphins, the Broncos will need Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman to show up. Ball had a solid first game against the Colts, rushing for 67 yards on 23 carries with one touchdown, but he will need to do a lot more to shine against a tough Cardinal defensive line.
Key matchup: Broncos running game vs. Cardinal defensive line
3) Week seven: Oct. 19 vs 49ers
If someone were to pick the San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl this year, they would be making a smart choice. The 49ers are one of the premiere teams in the league and were one of the few teams that gave the Seahawks a run for their money last season.
For the Broncos, this will be their best midseason test as to whether or not they are for real. The 49ers are one of the more complete teams in the game and they will be a good measuring stick in regards to Super Bowl chances.
Beating a team that was a couple plays shy of making the Super Bowl is as good as it gets for regular season matchups and it will reveal if the Broncos can perform under pressure.
Key matchup: 49ers receivers vs. Bronco secondary
4) Week nine: Nov. 2. @ Patriots
The Patriots may have dropped their first game against the Dolphins in week one, but there is nothing indicating they won't finish the season back at the AFC championship game. Tom Brady and his veteran wideouts are nothing to scoff at and it's going to take a lot for the new Broncos secondary to keep up.
In regards to road games, this will be the second biggest test for the Broncos. These are the types of games that distinguish contenders from good teams and the battle between the Patriots offense and Bronco defense will tell a lot about both teams.
Going up against Brady is tough enough, but if Rob Gronkowski is good to go, things could get ugly for the Broncos defense.
In a game that has AFC title implications, this is a must-win for the Bronco's psyche and confidence moving forward.
Key matchup: Tom Brady vs. Bronco secondary
5) Week 16: Dec. 22 @ Bengals
If there is such thing as a trap game for the Broncos, this is it. Going head-to-head with a physical Bengals defense is not going to be easy, especially on their home turf.
This game will be more about whether or not the Broncos offensive line can protect Manning from a physical defensive front. When given time, Manning is among the best in the league, but it's a mere matter of how his line performs. Just look at last year's Super Bowl.
By this point in the season, the Broncos should be looking their best and this game is going to tell a lot about their postseason chances. They will be going against a Bengals defense that ranked third in total defense (305.5 yards per game), fifth in passing (209.0 yards per game) and fifth in rushing (96.5 yards per game) last season.
It's safe to say, this will be a grind it out game.
Key matchup: Broncos offensive line vs. Bengals defensive line
Here is the entire Broncos schedule.
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