Will the Broncos win the AFC West for the sixth consecutive season?
Kiz: Who plays quarterback for the Broncos or what guy coaches this team doesn’t really seem to matter. Every year since 2011, the Broncos have won their division, giving Denver fans a sense of ownership … and maybe entitlement. So can I mark the Broncos down for the AFC West title again or can the Chiefs, Chargers or Raiders bump Denver from the top?
Jhabvala: Mark ’em. The Broncos won’t win pretty. Their quarterbacks could be an upgrade over last season, but they’re still unproven. That defense is still incredibly deep — if not deeper — and will pick up the slack if the offense struggles. The division, no doubt, got tougher this year, but the Broncos are still well positioned to claim a sixth consecutive crown.
Kiz: Anything’s possible when a team has linebacker Von Miller on its side. But please forgive me apountry: This is a transition year. This is a year when Denver eats a little humble pie. Enjoy every victory, because I don’t see the Broncos reaching 10 wins or winning the division. The streak will end. The West will be won by the Chiefs or — gasp — the Raiders.
Jhabvala: It will depend not on the Broncos’ defense — because that group has proven to reliable and unrelenting — but on the run game. The Broncos lacked consistent production on the ground last year, and they need it to thrive in Gary Kubiak’s offense. If we see C.J. Anderson bouncing off tackles and Devontae Booker finding lanes, watch out.
Kiz: By starting the unproven Trevor Siemian at quarterback after drafting Paxton Lynch in the first round, the Broncos are sending a very clear message. The true definition of success for Denver in the 2016 NFL season will not be how far this team advances in the playoffs, but if John Elway and Kubiak have found and developed their quarterback of the future.
Jhabvala: Siemian is unproven but the Broncos have been watching him for nearly two years. They know what he can do and what he can’t do and they wouldn’t have taken the risk in starting him if they didn’t believe he could lead the offense. Lynch’s frame and skills make him a fit for this offense, but don’t underestimate Siemian.
