It’s not enough for Broncoland that Josh McDaniels eventually becomes a quality NFL head coach.
Given the Broncos’ 2009 regular-season schedule, McDaniels will have to be good from the jump.
On paper, the Broncos’ set of opponents appears to be among the toughest in years. Although they will have a chance to get off to a fast start by opening their season at Cincinnati (Sept. 13), home against Cleveland (Sept. 20) and at Oakland (Sept. 27).
The Broncos will then begin a murderous stretch to their schedule with eight consecutive games against opponents who did not have losing records last year.
The Dallas Cowboys begin the NFC East portion of the Broncos’ schedule that also includes a Thanksgiving night home game (Nov. 26) against the New York Giants and road meetings against the Washington Redskins (Nov. 15) and Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 27).
Besides the NFC East, the Broncos also play the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers (Nov. 9 on Monday night) and perennial AFC contenders New England Patriots (Oct. 11), Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 1) and Indianapolis Colts (Dec. 13).
Among some of the matchups that will draw national interest are the Broncos’ games against the Patriots and Eagles. McDaniels, the Broncos’ new head coach, spent his first six NFL coaching seasons as an assistant to New England’s Bill Belichick, including the previous three years as offensive coordinator.
The game at Philadelphia will mark a return home for Broncos’ safety Brian Dawkins and running back Correll Buckhalter. Dawkins played his previous 13 seasons with the Eagles with Buckhalter among his teammates the previous eight seasons.
Not to be forgotten is the most important of the Broncos’ schedule — their six games inside the AFC West. The Broncos will play the three-time defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers there Oct. 19 and here Nov. 22.
The Kansas City Chiefs also have Patriot connections in leadership roles in general manager Scott Pioli and quarterback Matt Cassel. It was McDaniels’ trade flirtation with Cassel in late-February that led to a strained relationship with Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler, whose displeasure mushroomed into a trade request.
The Broncos eventually granted Cutler’s wish by trading him to the Chicago Bears, along with a fifth-round draft pick, in exchange for quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-round draft picks and a third-round pick.
The Broncos play Cutler and the Bears in the third preseason game, Aug. 30 at Invesco Field.
The Broncos play the Chiefs there on Dec. 6 and in the season-finale here on Jan. 3.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
Broncos 2009 schedule
Preseason
TBA (Aug. 13-17) … at San Francisco … TBD
TBA (Aug. 20-24) … at Seattle … TBD
Sunday, Aug. 30 … CHICAGO … 6 p.m. (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 3 … ARIZONA … 7 p.m.
Regular season
Sunday, Sept. 13 … at Cincinnati … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Sept. 20 … CLEVELAND … 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Sept. 27 … at Oakland … 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 4 … DALLAS … 2:15 p.m. (FOX)
Sunday, Oct. 11 … NEW ENGLAND … 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
Monday, Oct. 19 … at San Diego … 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, Oct. 25 … BYE
Sunday, Nov. 1 … at Baltimore … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Monday, Nov. 9 … PITTSBURGH … 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, Nov. 15 … at Washington … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Nov. 22 … SAN DIEGO … 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
Thursday, Nov. 26 … N.Y. GIANTS … 6:20 p.m. (NFLN)
Sunday, Dec. 6 … at Kansas City … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Dec. 13 … at Indianapolis … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Dec. 20 … OAKLAND … 2:05 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Dec. 27 … at Philadelphia … 11 a.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 3 … KANSAS CITY … 2:15 p.m. (CBS)
