Looking at the 2010 Schedule (Summer 2010)

As coach McDaniels has continued his reputation for getting rid of players he doesn’t get along with, the Broncos once again will need rookies (Demaryius Thomas and Tebow to a lesser extent) and new comers to contribute immediately in order to have any shot at a winning season. While the opening game against the Jaguars offers an under .500 foe, the contest is on the road for the 6^th consecutive year, the longest reigning road-opener streak in the league. The team has won their last 3 openers despite the hostile conditions. Week 2 should be winnable; however, new coach Pete Carroll might surprise some teams in the early going, much like the Broncos got off to an unexpected hot start last year. From that point on the road to a winning season turns straight up hill as the club will face the Colts, Titans, Ravens and Jets in succession, all of whom are expected to be very competitive in the AFC this season. The NFL is choosing to further punish the Broncos by scheduling an international game, forcing them to travel to London to face the 49ers in week 8. Fortunately, weeks 9 through 13 feature a bye week and 3 games against the hapless Missouri frachises (2 vs. Chiefs, 1 vs. St. Louis), amid the challenging Chargers in week 12.If the Broncos can remain afloat during the early season gauntlet and make it across the pond with their heads held high, the team may actually have a shot at putting together something special. Broncos opponents in 2010 had a winning percentage of .484, good for 24^th best in the league last season, so there are certainly some reasonable W’s in the mix. If the right players mature quickly and can grow into contributing rolls despite a tough stretch over the first half, the team might really take shape down the stretch, building towards a promising 2011 season, if not the playoffs this year.