@ Oakland (MNF)
Vs. San Diego
Vs. New Orleans
@ Kansas City
Vs. Tampa Bay
Vs. Jacksonville
@ New England (MNF)
BYE
Vs. Miami
@ Cleveland (TNF)
@ Atlanta
Vs. Oakland
@ New York Jets
Vs. Kansas City
@ Carolina
Vs. Buffalo
@ San Diego
I have a couple of comments:
- Our schedule is not that tough. Our opponents average 7.1 wins last year. Controlling for our anemic division, our opponents average 7.6 wins. Not bad.
- The first seven games leading up to our week 8 bye are brutal. Over the stretch, Denver plays teams who averaged 8.85 wins. Kansas City, New Orleans, and Oakland are the only non-playoff teams on the schedule; however, the games against Oakland and Kansas City are both on the road and New Orleans is arguably the team to beat in the NFC this year.
- Like in 2004, we play all three Florida teams this year; however, this time all three games are at home and none occur in September. Shanahan has played Florida teams poorly in his career, particularly when on the road. Arguably, this is because weather conditions make cramping a huge game-day issue. Quentin Griffins fumble on a -1 yard carry to setup a game-winning field goal didn't help in 2004. Olindo Mare's career-best 55-yard game winner didn't help much later that same season.
- Only 3 away games are against teams that had winning records last year: San Diego, New England, and Cleveland. Including these three, our away opponents averaged 7.5 wins. Four of these teams were 4-12.
Overall, I think we made out pretty well. With our hardest games at home, I expect Denver to finish at least .500 next season; however, don't be surprised if we start 3-6. After the Cleveland game, things get pretty easy.
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