Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Alerts | Electronic edition | Advertise | Subscribe to the paper | Today's Extras
Subscribe

2008 Broncos & NFL Preview

From clout to drought: Broncos' Super Bowl years a decade behind them

From clout to drought: Broncos' Super Bowl years a decade behind them

NFL '08 PREVIEW: The Broncos' regular-season record of 83-61 in the post-Elway era ranks tied for sixth among all NFL teams, yet the glory days of their 1997 and 1998 championship seasons seem to be a distant memory for fans who grew accustomed to late-January celebrations.

LINCICOME: Broncos start season as mystery men

Let's get right to it. Broncos to the Super Bowl. No, not even the Broncos believe that, and clearly no one else does either. The Broncos are predicted to be anything from woeful to surprising.

A conversation with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen

The Broncos owner is still going strong in his 25th year in charge of the team.

Broncos offense: Ambitious Marshall takes aim at records

NFL '08 PREVIEW: The suspension of Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall will pare a game off his statistics. That means Marshall will have to work double time when he comes back if he's to reach his lofty goals.

Broncos defense: Bly lets stats decide division's top cornerbacks

NFL '08 PREVIEW: The AFC West has three big-name cornerback tandems. The Broncos' Dre Bly - half of the Denver's duo - isn't conceding anything to anything to the other two.

Broncos special teams: Practice pays on long journey for Prater

NFL '08 PREVIEW: Matt Prater's leg never has been in doubt. But it has taken a great deal of coaching during stops at Detroit, Miami, Atlanta and now Denver before he could find enough consistency to be a full- time kicker.

Broncos scouting report: Four questions for Mike Shanahan

NFL '08 PREVIEW: The Broncos coach talks about the season, plus the preseason report card and team's outlook.

First impressions: Broncos new to Colorado

NFL '08 PREVIEW: Peyton Hillis, Eddie Royal, Jack Williams, Ryan Torain, Keary Colbert and Marlon McCree relect on life in Colorado.

LEGWOLD: Patriots still at top of heap

RATING THE TEAMS: When you begin to stack the teams for this upcoming season, you have to start by looking for a no-fear, always-in-control, find-a-way, get-it-done franchise quarterback. The good teams have one of those guys and the bad ones do not.

AFC division-by-division scouting report

The Chargers, Patriots, Browns and Colts are in control of the AFC this season.

NFC division-by-division scouting report

The Cowboys, Packers Saints and Seahawks are in control of the NFC this season.

NFL primer: Taking on the world

Like the Roman Empire and addicts of the board game Risk, the NFL appears intent on world domination. Its teams practice espionage (hello, Patriots). Its coaches stalk the sidelines like ruthless dictators (paging Mr.Shanahan). Even the schedule is expanding beyond borders (regular-season games in London and Toronto).

Broncos report: Raiders may turn to newcomer Lelie

With Lane Kiffin as their coach, the Raiders already have taken plenty of pages from Broncos' offensive playbook in the run game with a similar system. Now, after their move earlier this week, the Raiders could line up on offense Monday night with two former Broncos receivers in the formation.

KRIEGER: Marshall snags attention of Rev. Leon Kelly's kids

Owing to his one-week suspension, Brandon Marshall was barred from practice Wednesday, as the Broncos put in the game plan for Monday night's opener in Oakland. So he showed up at the Rev. Leon Kelly's after-school program in north Denver instead.

Broncos schedule

DateOpponentTime
Sept. 8at Oakland8:15 p.m.
Sept. 14vs. San Diego2:15 p.m.
Sept. 21vs. New Orleans2:05 p.m.
Sept. 28at Kansas City11 a.m.
Oct. 5vs. Tampa Bay2:05 p.m.
Oct. 12vs. Jacksonville2:05 p.m.
Oct. 20at New England6:30 p.m.
Oct. 26Open
Nov. 2vs. Miami2:05 p.m.
Nov. 6at Cleveland6:15 p.m.
Nov. 16at Atlanta11 a.m.
Nov. 23vs. Oakland2:05 p.m.
Nov. 30at N.Y. Jets11 a.m.
Dec. 7vs. Kansas City2:05 p.m.
Dec. 14at Carolina11 a.m.
Dec. 21vs. Buffalo2:05 p.m.
Dec. 28at San Diego2:15 p.m.

Five games to watch in weeks 1-5

  • Week 1: Minnesota at Green Bay: The Aaron Rodgers era officially begins at Lambeau Field. For his sake, it better last longer than the Favre soap opera.
  • Week 2: New England at New York Jets: New blood. Favre makes his Meadowlands debut against a Patriots team likely seeking its 21st consecutive regular-season victory.
  • Week 3: Dallas at Green Bay: Win one for Jessica. Tony Romo and Terrell Owens come to town seeking to make a statement in the NFC.
  • Week 4: Cincinnati at Cleveland: Defense is optional. Bengals and Browns combined for 96 points at Paul Brown Stadium last season.
  • Week 5: Pittsburgh at Jacksonville: Grab an MJ-D. Steelers try to slow Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars in a rematch of an AFC wild-card game.

Broncs Zoo: schedule Wallpaper

Season predictions

Sam Adams, Jeff Legwold, Bernie Lincicome, Drew Litton and Lee Rasizer offer their predictions for the 2008 season:

AFC divisions

WestEastNorthSouth
AdamsS.D.N.E.Cle.Ind.
LegwoldS.D.N.E.Cle.Ind.
LinciomeS.D.N.E.Pitt.Ind.
LittonS.D.N.E.Balt.Ind.
RasizerS.D.N.E.Pitt.Jax.

NFC divisions

WestEastNorthSouth
AdamsSea.Dal.G.B.N.O.
LegwoldSea.Dal.G.B.N.O.
LinciomeSea.Dal.G.B..N.O.
LittonSea.Dal.Minn.N.O.
RasizerSea.Dal.Minn.Car.

Wild cards

AFCAFCNFCNFC
AdamsDen.Jax.T.B.Ari.
LegwoldJax.Pitt.N.Y.G.T.B.
LinciomeCle.Jax.Phil.Minn.
LittonDen.Jax.N.Y.G.Car.
RasizerInd.Cle.Wash.G.B..

Champions

AFCAFCSuper Bowl
AdamsN.E.Dal.New England
LegwoldN.E.Dal.New England
LinciomeN.E..Dal.Dallas
LittonN.E.Dal.New England
RasizerS.D.Dal.San Diego

News Tip

Know about something we should be reporting? Tell us about it.


Reprints