It’s FINALLY that time of year again…football is in the air and all is right with the world once again!!

And I love this point in the season…when you have nothing but hopes and dreams since we haven’t played a game that actually counts yet. And I get to put down my own dreams and fears on the record for this year’s Broncos season.

I must say that I am bullish on the Donkeys for the long haul. I think they’re putting the right pieces into place but they are shallow at many positions, very young at others, and the schedule this year is brutal!That said, I still think they have a chance at the AFC West title (which is what they’ll need to make the playoffs) only because the AFC West is weak in general. And I like the foundation they are laying for the future.

What do I think about Coach McD? I don’t hate him (as many do) and I don’t necessarily love him either. I’m taking a wait and see mentality. And I’m patient (I’ve been a Bronco fan since birth so I developed that patience early on). I do know it takes time in this league to build a winner for the long haul and I’m willing to take the time and I assume McD knows more than I do. The winning and losing will tell the tale.

With that said, here’s what I think will happen this year…and I’m never right so take this all with a grain of salt (or your preferred spice of choice):

1. @ Jacksonville – W
   I think we start off strong and the offense wins this one on the road for us. If not…hold onto your hats for a long season.
2. Seattle – W
   This team is a mess and we win the home opener. Gets rougher from here…
3. Indianapolis – L
   We come back down to earth. The defense won’t be able to rush Peyton and the blitz will just burn us.
4. @ Tennessee – L
   The brutal schedule continues. I don’t see us winning our first two road games and Tennessee has plenty of firepower.
5. @ Baltimore – L
   We just won’t be able to hang with the Ravens, but I think this will be closer than some people might think.
6. NY Jets – L
   The good news? This game is at home. The bad news? It’s against the Jets!
7. Oakland – W
   Always good for what ails you. The Raiders help us stop the losing streak, but it will be a tougher game than it should be.
8. @ San Francisco – L
   I had a tough decision with this game, but I think we drop this one. My heart says a win, my head says a loss.
9. BYE - Thank goodness!
10. Kansas City – W
    Getting better, but still a bad team on the rise.
11. @ San Diego – L
    I don’t think SD will be as good as some people think, but I still think we split the season with them.
12. St. Louis – W
    This team has a long way to go…but this game scares me! Has all the makings of a “look past” game.
13. @ Kansas City – W
    We always seem to have a tough time at Arrowhead, but I just can’t put a loss here.
14. @ Arizona – L
    Not sure why, but don’t see us pulling this one off. Defense may be getting gassed by this point. Arizona’s QB situation may help us though.
15. @ Oakland – W
    Honestly, even if I though we’d lose this one I never predict a loss against the Raiders. I just hate them too much.  ;o)
16. Houston – L
    This one is close, but I think we find a way to lose it.
17. San Diego – W
    This is the split, but why do we always seem to be playing these guys at the end. I hope this game doesn’t count for something big!

The grand total? 8-8

Does that get us into the playoffs? Errr….maybe not….but I still think we can take the division. But it’s going to take some great offense, a decent defense, and staying healthy (above everything else). With my swing games I wouldn’t be surprised by a 5-11 or 9-7 season (or anything in between). As always….that’s why they play the games!!

Are you ready for some football?!?!??