NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes key parts of the Broncos’ 2011 schedule:
• The Broncos will have to get ready quickly because the easiest part of their schedule, on paper, is their first two games — Raiders and Bengals, both at home.
• Bye week is a bit early this season, in Week 6. It follows a rugged stretch when the Broncos play at Tennessee, at Green Bay, then home vs. Chargers.
• The schedule is brutal — BRU-TAL — in a five-game stretch from Week 9 through Week 13. Broncos play back-to-back road division games at Oakland (Nov. 6) and Kansas City (Nov. 13). Then home on short rest to play Thursday night against the Jets (Nov. 17). Then back on the road to play at San Diego (Nov. 27) and at Minnesota (Dec. 4).
• Back-to-back December home games — against Jay Cutler and the Bears (11th) and New England (18th) — would have been more interesting if Josh McDaniels were still around.
• The penance for playing at Green Bay in early October and Miami in late October? Playing at Buffalo on Christmas Eve.
