Top 5 Toughest Games On The Broncos 2016 Schedule
By Mark Haas
DENVER (CBS4) - The 2016 schedule is out and the Broncos Road to Repeat is now in front of them. As AFC West champs, the Broncos will once again see the other AFC division champs, along with the AFC and NFC South teams, and of course the AFC West.
Based on records from last year, the Broncos have the 14th toughest schedule. Here are what I think will be the five toughest games.
1. DEC. 25 @ KANSAS CITY - A Christmas night trip to Arrowhead in late December? Not exactly on many Broncos fans wish-lists. The Chiefs had the Broncos beat in K.C. last year until a late Peyton Manning/Broncos defense rally, and then the Chiefs handed the Broncos their worst loss of the season in the infamous Manning benching game in November. This could once again be a battle of playoff bound teams.
2. SEPT. 8 VS. CAROLINA - Broncos pick up where they left off with a Super Bowl 50 rematch to open the 2016 season. The game is in Denver, but this will be the first game for the Broncos with ___(fill in the blank)___ starting at quarterback. Both teams will be plenty motivated, but I think maybe the Panthers just a bit more, after their high-powered offense was embarrassed in San Francisco.
3. SEPT. 25 @ CINCINNATI - A Sunday morning game in Ohio will be the Broncos first road test, and Cincinnati is always a tough place to play. The Bengals figure to be a playoff contender again this season, and the Broncos could still be figuring things out with their new QB.
4. DEC. 18 VS. NEW ENGLAND - The home team has won seven straight in this rivalry, but any matchup with the Patriots deserves to be on this list. The Pats will certainly want to end their Mile High losing streak after two losses here last season kept them from getting back to the Super Bowl.
5. THE UNKNOWN LETDOWN - There is always at least one. One game the Broncos should win, but don't. Could it be one of the cross-country trips to Florida (Tampa Bay and Jacksonville)? Maybe the Thursday night game in San Diego with Brock Osweiler and the Texans looming the next Monday? Or maybe it's the Raiders -- they seem to be getting better, and any matchup with Oakland could be tricky.
Mark Haas is a sports anchor/reporter for CBS4. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.
