2015 Broncos Season — The Bye Week


There are five unbeaten teams in the NFL through week seven — with the Broncos, Patriots, Packers, Bengals, and Panthers all at 6-0. But that won't last. The Broncos are probably the ugliest winners of that list, having looked mediocre in six games that they managed to win, largely thanks to the defense.

But that might have been the easiest portion of their schedule. So now they've had a week to rest and tinker, so let's hope that the Mile High Magic can, indeed, return as the Broncos make their way to the playoffs. Here's somethings to look at.

* November will be a challenge: The Broncos face two of their fellow unbeatens in November, beginning with the 6-0 Packers on Sunday, November 1. The rest of the month includes a date with the Colts (Nov. 8), with the Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 15), the Chicago Bears (Nov. 22), and the New England Patriots (Nov. 29). The good news is that three of those games — Packers, Chiefs, and Patriots — is home. In fact, the Broncos have played four road games and only two home games so far, meaning it will be a 6/4 split the rest of the season.

* December is tough too: The Broncos will face a third of the current unbeatens — the Cincinnati Bengals — in December. In addition, they'll face the Chargers and Raiders and make a trip to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers. Since I think the Patriots, Colts, Bengals, and Steelers will all be in the playoffs, the Broncos will have to face four fellow AFC playoff teams in the next two months. And that's in addition to four brutal division games.

* Can Peyton be Peyton? This is a legitimate question. Manning has more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (7) to this point in the season. That drives fantasy owners nuts, but it should drive fans nuts, too. Two years removed from a record-setting season, Manning looks like he's lost something. Can he find it again? If not, can the Broncos really make a stand in the NFL?

* Who will run the ball? Will it matter? This is also, sadly, a legitimate question. I think, based on what I've seen, Ronnie Hillman should be the man. That's rough for me because I still believe in CJ Anderson's talent, but it hasn't come together. The Broncos need to be able to run, and they need to get it figured out pretty quickly.

* All about the defense: The Broncos defense has carried the team so far, and I think they'll continue to be the best in the NFL. But can that squad hold up if the offense doesn't improve? Seems like a lot of pressure. The offense needs to get sharper.

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