A Look Ahead - 2001 Opponents

The opponents for next year have been decided. The exact dates won't be known until Spring 2001 but here's a look on who the Broncos play next year and what I think the outcome will be as of now. Note- all my predictions are based on the fact that the teams are basically the same next year and that BG is healthy all year.

One fact remains true - the divisional rivalry between Denver and Oakland is heated and will be as long as the two franchises exist. Keep in mind that 2 of Oakland's 4 regular season losses were against Denver. With Mike Shanahan as a head coach, Oakland has beaten Denver only once. Though the Raiders were close to the Super Bowl this year, they aren't going. It would be awful to have to play the defending world champions - twice. I just am hoping they will LAY OFF Brian Griese and stop hurting him.

This is the opposite side of the story. The Broncos can't seem to beat the Chiefs. Their single loss in the 2nd half of the season was to KC. They didn't have Brian Griese, thank you very much, but still...the whole team plays poorly against this team. But here's something that might change- former KC head coach Gunther Cunningham was fired and in talks with Mike Shanahan to be the new defensive coordinator for Denver....hmmm. This could be a good thing. Regardless, I believe the Broncos will pull their heads out.

I bet Seattle will be much better next year. But not good enough (muahaha)! Nope- if the Broncos can beat Seattle without Mr Griese, they will be able to beat them with him.

I think the Chargers will be a much better team next year. They have the #1 draft pick and if they are smart will pick Micheal Vick, from Virginia Tech, as a quarterback. Yep I doubt the Chargers will be last in the NFL next year. But they won't be first in their division- ha ha ha again! Brian Griese will show them WHATS UP NOW.

Hmm... I don't know what to tell you on this one. I really doubt that Baltimore will have such an overpowering defense TWO years in a row but I bet they'll still be good. I guarantee the Broncos will play better than they did in the Wildcard game but I'm not as sure on this one that they will win. We'll have to see.

Though they lost in week 5 of this season, I really doubt they will lose again. We've got to remember it was right after BG suffered his torn labrum from the Raiders' game. Naw, unless some drastic trade within the New England franchise occurs, I don't see a problem here.

If the Cardinals team is at all like the team this year, I sense a game very similar to the Atlanta game in week 2 of this year. I bet Brian will have a lot of passing yards and TDs and they'll win big.

The Miami Dolphins are a pretty good team. They haven't had a 'bad' year in a long time. My guess is this will be a very good game and the teams will be matched up well. Miami QB Jay Fiedler is prone to interceptions and the Broncos' D isn't phenomenal. I bet the better matchup will be Denver's offense vs. Miami's defense.

I bet this will be a VERY High scoring game. You've got the Indy offense with Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison vs. Brian Griese, whoever-is-RB, and the McCaffrey/Smith tandem. I think Griese and Manning are probably the two best QBs in the league now....this will be a good, good game. I think whoever wins will come down to whose defense plays the best.

Washington, this year, was the most over-rated team in the league. I bet their coaching and QB problems will be better but I don't see them coming and winning more than 9 games. One of those wins will not be against the Broncos however. The Broncos will win.

I think the NYG have one of the best all-around teams in the NFL. They proved in the Conference game vs Minnesota they have a great offense. They also have a terrific defense. If this team keeps getting better, I think it'll be pretty hard for Denver to pull ahead. Sorry guys- might be on of the few losses of the season.

Here's a bit of info- Dallas is not the team they were in the Super Bowl years. (NO- REALLY?) I don't see this team as being a huge problem for Denver. They'll have to keep an eye on Emmitt Smith though- that guy still cannot be underestimated.

Season Overview: Well according to my little, ridiculous predictions, the worse the Broncos could finish is 12-4. That is pretty darn good. Gotta keep in mind those upsets this year by New England, Cincinatti, and twice by Kansas City. Those lapses in performance could hurt the team- but I doubt that will happen much. After being 12-4, they will be division champs. Next week, they'll be conference champs. Then they'll win the Super Bowl and Brian Griese will be named the NFL MVP. Yeah baby.