On Monday, I listed four teams who I thought the Broncos were going to have trouble passing in the AFC Standings.
On that logic, I thought that they were no better than the fifth overall seed in the AFC Playoff picture. I think they could sneak up to third or fourth, if everything falls their way. However, I think in the end, the Broncos are a team on the rise, but not yet ready to contend with the elite. There is, in my estimation, a top tier of teams in the AFC that includes New England, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and San Diego.
The next level of teams includes the Broncos. In that same cluster, I would say are the Steelers, Bills, Titans, Browns and Texans. Each of those teams, like Denver, have major question marks. If the Broncos can somehow rectify their biggest problem, a shoddy run defense, they could be set to vault ahead of these teams. Let's take a look at each of these teams and their one main weakness.
Pittsburgh
This is the one team in the group that has the best overall potential to vault into that top level. However, many agree that they have one of the toughest, if not the most brutal schedule in the NFL this year. Check out the whole schedule here. In addition to two games against up-and-coming Cleveland, they play the Eagles, Redskins, Ravens, Jaguars, and Patriots on the road. At home, they have to face the Cowboys, the Chargers, and the Colts. That just seems almost unfair to me. So, while they have great talent, the teams they play are far tougher than the opposition Denver will face.
Buffalo
This is a team that should make a nice leap this year. Young playmaker at running back and at wide receiver. However, the biggest issue with any team is the quarterback. Safe to say, the Broncos feel better about Jay Cutler than the Bills do about Trent Edwards. He played well last year but still needs to prove he can be the man. He split reps last year with J.P. Losman. This is team is his now. That can be a lot of pressure for any quarterback, particularly a young signal caller.
Tennessee
The main issue here is also quarterback but in a different way. Vince Young said this offseason he thought about leaving football. He lost his enjoyment of the game. He later somewhat was able to clear up any misconceptions about his desire but if your most important player is ever wavering, it does not bode well for anybody.
Cleveland
All about taking the next step here. They finished with ten wins and zero playoff experience. That is how tough the AFC was last season. Much like Buffalo and Tennessee, they have quarterback issues. However, this one is interesting for a different reason. Derek Anderson put up big numbers but many seem to question if he can do it again. He has Brady Quinn waiting in the wings should he struggle and struggling is possible thanks to a tough schedule. The team seems to be firmly in Anderson's corner but one bad season could negate the progress of 2007. A lot of pressure for that reason right there.
Houston
Last year they finished at 8-8, the best mark in franchise history. They are run by former Broncos Assistant General Manager Rick Smith and are coached by former Broncos assistant Gary Kubiak. They have former Broncos players Nick Ferguson and Ron Dayne. They have Former Broncos offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Mike Shanahan should be expecting a boquet soon. Quarterback is the question here as well. They want Matt Schaub to be their man but he has been injury prone. In his place, Sage Rosenfels played well last year. There is a big investment in Schaub so he gets the nod but Rosenfels helped them to their string finish. In either case, they are moving forward, but their biggest obstacle may be the AFC South. Case in point: They finished with their best record ever and it was good enough for last place.
So the Broncos, armed with a rather favorable and relatively easy schedule could benefit if everything goes right. See you tomorrow, everyone. Have a great day.
-"z"
