Based on the winning percentages of their opponents from the 2013 season, the Broncos check in with the second-toughest schedule — on paper — in the NFL this year.
Only the Oakland Raiders have a tougher schedule and, frankly, that’s because the Broncos are on it twice. A broader look reveals one interesting development: The AFC West plays the NFC West this season, and because those two divisions collectively had the best records in the league last season, meeting every other team from those two divisions constitutes the top eight-toughest schedules this season.
“I don’t look at the schedule very often, but I kind of like it,” Broncos tight end Julius Thomas said. “It’s good to be challenged during the regular season. We understand we have a tough schedule, and we’re looking forward to playing it. The way I look at it is, if you want to be the best team in the NFL, you’ve got to be willing to beat the best opponents. We accept the challenge fully.”
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MANNING OPPONENTS
A look at how the Broncos have fared with Peyton Manning at quarterback against the teams on this season’s schedule:
WEEK 1: Colts
Record: 0-1
Game 1: Oct. 20, 2013, at Indianapolis
Score: 39-33, Colts
Recap: Three turnovers put the Broncos in an early hole, and a late rally couldn’t overcome Andrew Luck’s three touchdown passes.
WEEK 2 AND WEEK 13: Chiefs
Record: 4-0
Game 1: Nov. 25, 2012, at Kansas City
Score: 17-9, Broncos
Recap: Demaryius Thomas caught four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, and the Broncos overcame a slow start to “win tough,” defensive end Elvis Dumervil said, over the cellar-dwelling Chiefs.
Game 2: Dec. 30, 2012, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 38-3, Broncos
Recap: It was easy sailing in the regular-season finale, as Manning threw three touchdown passes and the Broncos locked up the AFC’s top seed.
Game 3: Nov. 17, 2013, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 27-17, Broncos
Recap: The Chiefs entered the game with a 9-0 record built on a terrorizing defense. But they barely touched Manning, who threw for 323 yards and one touchdown.
Game 4: Dec. 1, 2013, at Kansas City
Score: 35-28, Broncos
Recap: It was a dream day for wide receiver Eric Decker, who caught four of Manning’s five touchdown passes.
WEEK 3: Seahawks
Record: 0-1
Game 1: Feb. 2, 2014, Super Bowl XLVIII
Score: 43-8, Seahawks
Recap: Few reminders are needed of February’s flop. From the first play of the game, Denver was overmatched.
WEEK 4: Bye
WEEK 5: Cardinals
No games
WEEK 6: Jets
No games
WEEK 7: 49ers
No games
WEEK 8 AND WEEK 15: Chargers
Record: 4-1
Game 1: Oct. 15, 2012, at San Diego
Score: 35-24, Broncos
Recap: The Broncos overcame a 24-0 halftime deficit to tie for the fourth-biggest regular-season comeback in NFL history. Manning threw three touchdown passes during the second half.
Game 2: Nov. 18, 2012, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 30-23, Broncos
Recap: In one of his finest games during a stellar rookie season, linebacker Von Miller sacked Philip Rivers three times.
Game 3: Nov. 10, 2013, at San Diego
Score: 28-20, Broncos
Recap: In the Broncos’ first game without coach John Fox, who was recovering from heart surgery, Manning threw four touchdown passes, including three to Thomas.
Game 4: Dec. 12, 2013, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 27-20, Chargers
Recap: In the Broncos’ only home loss during the 2013 season, San Diego dominated possession at nearly a 2-to-1 clip, and rookie Keenan Allen caught two touchdown passes.
Game 5: Jan. 12, 2014, AFC divisional playoff, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 24-17, Broncos
Recap: Broncos fans watched nervously as the Chargers nearly erased a 17-0 fourth-quarter deficit, but Manning converted three third downs on Denver’s final possession to hold off San Diego.
WEEK 9: Patriots
Record: 1-2
Game 1: Oct. 7, 2012, at New England
Score: 31-21, Patriots
Recap: In a game that wasn’t as close as the score, Denver surrendered 252 yards rushing, including 151 from Stevan Ridley.
Game 2: Nov. 24, 2013
Score: 34-31, OT, Patriots
Recap: This gut-wrenching defeat saw the Broncos waste a 24-0 lead. A special-teams miscue in overtime then set the stage for a chip-shot Patriots field goal for the victory.
Game 3: Jan. 19, 2014, AFC championship game, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 26-16, Broncos
Recap: Manning threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns in the 15th matchup between him and Brady, capping a record-breaking season with a trip to the Super Bowl.
WEEK 10 AND WEEK 17: Raiders
Record: 4-0
Game 1: Sept. 30, 2012, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 37-6, Broncos
Recap: Manning’s first game within his new division could not have gone more smoothly. He threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, including one at the end of an 80-yard, game-opening drive.
Game 2: Dec. 6, 2012, at Oakland
Score: 26-13, Broncos
Recap: Knowshon Moreno ran for 119 yards on a career-high 32 carries, pacing a workmanlike effort that included four Matt Prater field goals.
Game 3: Sept. 23, 2013, at Sports Authority Field
Score: 37-21, Broncos
Recap: Manning set an NFL record by throwing his 12th touchdown pass in the opening three games, and the Broncos jumped out to a 17-0 lead and didn’t look back.
Game 4: Dec. 29, 2013, at Oakland
Score: 34-14, Broncos
Recap: Manning set the NFL season record for yards passing (5,477) with a 5-yard touchdown toss to Demaryius Thomas that made it 31-0 at halftime.
WEEK 11: Rams
No games
WEEK 12: Dolphins
No games
WEEK 14: Bills
No games
WEEK 16: Bengals
Record: 1-0
Game 1: Nov. 4, 2012, at Cincinnati
Score: 31-23, Broncos
Recap: Trindon Holliday set a Broncos record with a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Manning overcame two interceptions to rally the Broncos from an early fourth-quarter deficit.
— Nick Kosmider, The Denver Post
