Ron Chenoy-USA Today
We’re not far removed from the AFC Divisional match up between the Baltimore Ravens, and the Denver Broncos, and who of course could forget it? Close fought game, Joe Flacco unleashing his cannon of an arm, Champ Bailey getting burned twice by Torrey Smith for two big scores, and oh yeah, Jacoby Jones somehow, someway getting behind the Broncos defense for a game-tying, 70-yard bomb from Flacco that sent the game to overtime that the Ravens won with a field goal by rookie kicker, Justin Tucker. The Broncos, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC were one and done with new addition quarterback Peyton Manning, and Broncos Country were sent home in disbelief.
The Broncos were favored by many to not only win against the Ravens, but were also favored to go all the way to the Super Bowl. This just goes to show that home-field advantage, as big as it may seem to us fans, isn’t all that big to the players, and it just shows another of many things that is over hyped in sports. Peyton was brought to the Broncos to not just win games, but to win championships, and although the Broncos won the AFC West crown in Peyton’s first year, it’s not enough, and it’s not all the Broncos brought him here for. They brought him here to bring Super Bowls to the city of Denver and nothing short. It’s been 15 years since former quarterback John Elway, and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen brought the last of two Super Bowl trophies to Denver, and it’s been seven years since Peyton won his only Super Bowl trophy with the Indianapolis Colts. Now all three are ready for another one together, and you can bet after this past season’s playoff loss, they are hungry and will be out for revenge in 2013.
It will be difficult for the Broncos to improve on their 2012 record of 13-3, and it will be hard to pull off 11 straight wins again, but the 2013 schedule thus far, very much compares to the 2012 schedule, and with the way the AFC West looks, it won’t be too hard to win another division title. The Broncos do need to make improvements to their secondary, and hopefully do so in the draft, but the rest of the defense is solid, starting with defensive end, Elvis Dumervil and linebacker, Von Miller. Cornerback, Chris Harris who set a Broncos record this past season with the longest interception return in Broncos history, came on pretty strong this past season, and safety Quinton Carter who will be back from a knee injury that landed him on the injured reserve back in September says he’ll be ready to go. Questions, and rumors do remain for what the Broncos may or may not do with Bailey who will be entering his 15th season and has shown he is past his prime. Drafting to replace him makes total sense and will help boost an exposed Broncos secondary.
Offensively, the Broncos don’t have many concerns, and showed the world why this past season. With wide receivers such as, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Brandon Stokley and tight end Jacob Tamme all catching passes from the future Hall of Fame quarterback, who can complain of a receiving corps with them? Running back, Knowshon Moreno came on very strong in the later part of last season with the injury to starting running back Willis McGahee, and gave depth to a running game that could be in question depending on how McGahee comes back from his injury. The Broncos offensive line will remain strong with offensive tackles, Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, guards Zane Beadles and Chris Kuper and center Dan Koppen. In other words, the Broncos are returning the same potent offense as last season.
Peyton and company are going to be very hungry in 2013, and after the shocking loss to the Ravens, they will be out for revenge and will not stop until their road leads them to MetLife Stadium in New York for Super Bowl XLVIII. This team will be more poised and more eager than ever before to get out there and take the NFL by storm. Manning will be 37 in March, and he wants to win at least one more Super Bowl before calling it a career, therefore, with his age, the curtain is coming to a close and he’s going to close it with a bang. Get ready NFL fans, 2013 will be the year of the Broncos.
