2018 Broncos' Season, Second Half Looming


The Broncos had a bye this week, meaning they didn't take the field and couldn't suffer another loss. Though I'd argue they lost the bye week when they opted to "stay the course" with the current coaching staff. So, well, that's not that exciting.

The Broncos are 3-6, and though some are still talking about how they could make the playoffs, that feels like a comment on the AFC this season and not really based on what we've seen from the Broncos. Sure, they've been competitive against the Chiefs, Rams and others, but they still came up short. And at 3-6, it might be time to focus on the future rather than the present, which I believe is what fueled the Demaryius Thomas Trade. (Of course, the aftermath of his comments was another black eye for the organization.)

The Broncos don't have an easy remaining schedule. The Broncos play the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday, and again to close the season. They still have home games with the red hot Steelers and the surging Browns, and road tilts with the Raiders, Bengals and 49ers in addition to the Chargers. So there's some wins there, but it hardly seems a lock the team would go 6-1 or 7-0 in the second half, which is likely what would be needed to win.

And there will certainly be some hard questions this off-season as the Broncos, again, look to get back to their winning ways. But, for now, it's time to consider what we could see in the second half. Here's my hopes:

* Von Miller and Bradley Chubb keep going strong together. This is an investment in the present and future, and I want to see what this duo does in the second half.

* A return to strong running. It'll be harder with Ron Leary and Matt Paradis out for the year, but Phillip Lindsay has been great, and I think Royce Freeman needs to continue to grow as a player. Hopefully the Broncos get the running game going again.

* Is Jeff Heuerman the answer at TE? Well, he looked like in in Week 9, and it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up.

* Building up young receivers. DaeSean Hamilton should be back in Week 11, and it will be good to see him, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick getting a chance to learn on the job as they look to the future.

And now, my playoff predictions:

NFC: 1. Saints, 2. Rams, 3. Bears. 4. Eagles WC: Vikings, Panthers

AFC: 1. Chiefs, 2. Steelers, 3. Patriots, 4. Texans WC: Chargers, Titans

Super Bowl: Saints Over Steelers

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