Patrick Smith - Getty Images
5 months ago: DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos takes the field against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The New England Patriots won, 41-23. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos have just released their 2012 schedule. There are the obvious two games against their divisional opponents in the AFC West, the Broncos also pull the AFC North and NFC South along with the teams that finished first in the AFC East and AFC South.
Amongst the highlights includes a match-up with John Fox's former team the Carolina Panthers and games against seven teams that reached the playoffs, four of them are road games. The schedule also includes a rematch of this Sunday's opponents the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Broncos are able to beat the Steelers, this schedule also includes a rematch of whomever their next opponent would be (the Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots):
HOME:
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints
Houston Texans
AWAY:
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
New England Patriots
There are quite a few Monday Night Football possibilities there, so expect at least two.
Dates for the games will be released sometime prior to the draft in April.
Anyone want to make an early prediction on Denver's record in 2012?
0 recs | 123 comments
Oh no! Comments were deleted! lol
it’s like a government conspiracy theory or something lol
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
It was completely my fault
I did not mean to delete anyone’s comments, sorry about that.
Hey, look at the bright side, there is a way better photo now.
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
I do like the new photo
but I gotta know!
What happened?
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
He hit the red button
I told him NOT to hit the red button.
Ian, stay away from the red button! lol
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
I swallowed the Green Pill
It really had nothing to do with the comments. Feel free to re-post in this post.
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
lol I know, just giving you crap :)
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
Is this the doing of Ted Bartlett?
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
What the Heck?
didn’t we like the voting?
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
lol
it wasn’t going how he wanted it to. lol
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
@baltimore?
ugh. We never do well there.
moondoggie12 - January 2, 2012
It is about time
for me to make a game down there. It is so close to me. This is the year~
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
You should do it Sean
Though, I’ve never driven in traffic as crazy as in Baltimore and I am from New York City.
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
haha
Yep, I have driven in LA, SD, SFran, Den…. Lots of big cities and Wash/Balt is some of the worst driving I have ever seen. That’s what you get when your roads were designed for horse drawn carriages :P
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
When I visited the East once
so much traffic in Baltimore, but none in New York and Washington, I guess no one likes the subway in Charm City?
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
We may pull Baltimore
in Baltimore if the Broncos somehow beat Pittsburgh..
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
OH Man!
Honey!! Gwen! Where’s the credit card??
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
thats nice man, but you don't need to purchase me a flight, ticket, hotel and other things
tell Gwen to put the card back
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
lol
Sean in Pa. - January 2, 2012
yep
our only hope is if they stay true to form and play down to their level of competition.
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
if we beat the Squealers
we’ll play the Patsies unless Cincy beats the Texans
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
Cincy beating the Texans is quite possible
We CAN beat Cincy. The Squeelers will be an extremely tough game tho! But they are banged up which is good for us!
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
and worst of all
we always come out of there with two or three season impacting injuries. ugh is absolutely right.
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
I see about 5 wins on that schedule
RoxNation - January 2, 2012
this.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
thats more pessimistic
than i’d expect too see from you
T.Dot_Bronco - January 2, 2012
Yeah, well..... I'm bitter. LOL.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Werent we saying this last year?
It’ll be fine
Calikula - January 2, 2012
I think we're in for a rude awakening
much like the Chiefs this year. We are talent deficient at many positions. We benefitted from some luck and an easier schedule. We’ll need to hit a few HR’s with the draft and offseason additions.
T.Dot_Bronco - January 2, 2012
Chiefs
The Chiefs lost arguably the most dangerous RB in the NFL, a perennial Pro Bowl safety and their starting right end in the first 2 weeks. Then lost their starting QB for about half the year. 10 wins to 7 taking that into account is hardly a rude awakening.
KansasBronco - January 2, 2012 via mobile
*tight end*
KansasBronco - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Can agree with you there.
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
that just speaks louder then
because we have less talent than them
T.Dot_Bronco - January 2, 2012
I disagree a bit Toronto.
I mean offensively the offensive line is set for years to come. The tight end position doesn’t disappoint, our running backs are very, very satisfactory. Receivers… Well, early in the season I thought this was the Broncos strongest position, but a jettisoning of Brandon Lloyd left and ice box where the strength used to be. However there is a large pool of talent currently sitting on the IR and in the practice squad: Mark Dell and D’Andre Goodwin.
Another decent draft and the Broncos could be right back in it.
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
I disagree wholeheartedly
about our oline. Our secondary is poor and we need upgrades in the linebacking core. Barring significant improvement across the board, including Tebow, we’ll be hard pressed to win 8 again.
T.Dot_Bronco - January 2, 2012
Dj is good, Von is good
we need a good MIKE, although we may have one in the wings already. That is yet to be determined. I’m more concerned with corners and safety, unless Rahim develops.
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
If Kuper can come back from his broken ankle
personally I feel like we’re still a draft pick or two away on the line.
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
Again, the sky is not falling
We were saying that about this year, next is no different. Thats why they play the games
Calikula - January 2, 2012
THank you for tempering my panic.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Its is a lot more fun to freak out though
Calikula - January 2, 2012
WHy do you think I do it?
I used to be all reserved until I hung out on MHR with all the kneejerkers! LOL.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
I like the tough schedule....
Let’s get out there and show these young guys what good teams look like. Hopefully we step up and play them tough, but even if not I’d rather lose to good teams and let them see what those teams do rather than playing bottom feeders.
Cle, TB, and Car look to be the only easy games….and by next year Carolina could be very good….yikes!!
To be the best you gotta beat the best, right?
Kgrone - January 2, 2012
16-0 until we ain't!
It’s too early to predict next season’s games. Hit me up again after the draft, then again after training camp. The only game we should be worrying about right now is the Steeler’s on Sunday!
CH74 - January 2, 2012
it's true
beat the Steelers!
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
I voted 12 or more wins.
The Broncos improved 4 games from 2010 to 2011, so lets keep the trend going!
Tim Lynch - January 2, 2012
I like where you are going with this....
IanHenson - January 2, 2012
WHY DO WE PLAY THE SAME TEAMS ALMOST EVERY YEAR?!?!
THe Pats AGAIN?!?!?! The Ravens AGAIN?!!?!? The Steelers AGAIN!??!?!? And then they add the Saints? The Falcons? my Gosh, man, We’re gonna have to get hella good hella quick to come close to winning on this schedule. The NFL: “You think Tebow Time will save you again? Not in 2012, Denver.” I bet they only regret they couldn’t squeeze Green Bay into that schedule. Wow. I’m just floored at how touch this schedule looks. And we play the Bengals for like the 3rd or 4th straight year, right? Might as well be our new division rivals.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
easy harv
step off the ledge. those teams could all suck next year.
well, maybe in my dreams.
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
Shakazulu!!!!!
I’m on edge today! LOL
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Schedule is actually pretty easy to figure out ahead of time
We rotate the AFC divisions each year so we are gonna play the AFC North every 3 years. We play the corresponding ranked team in the other 2 AFC divisions (hence the Texans and Pats). We rotate through the NFC divs each year also so we draw the NFC South. Its not like there is anyone out there trying to screw us.
K-Lazz - January 2, 2012
Just the 3 year cycle thats it...
bfree2bronc - January 2, 2012
yup, thats it
Calikula - January 2, 2012
Thanks for explaining that. Still scares me. But, any given year, right?
Had we had the Colts on our docket this year, I would have been terrified.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Look on the bright side Harv, our division teams have to play most of them too...
Myself, I would like to have the tougher oponents than our cohorts for the mere fact of the tie-breaker. It got us in this year even with our dismal record. My other feeling is that the Broncos have to become a competing team and what better than to beat the best to win the West. EFX should have a designed plan to get this team back to respectability, anything less will not be accepted imo.
bfree2bronc - January 2, 2012
Yep. If the SB win is the ultimate goal, you have to retool to beat the best. We are looking to play most of the best next year, so let's get to it!
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Of COURSE the NFL wants Tebow vs. Newton.
They might as well start that hype machine right now.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
hahaha i had the exact same thought
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
Making money Harv...Making money.
bfree2bronc - January 2, 2012
I'd pay for it! And I will be!
I just want Urban Meyer to come and convince me that Tebow is better as a starter than Newton, cause I haven’t seen it! LOL
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Couldn't possibly be because Tim won the Heisman as a Sophomore (22 rushing; 33 passing TDs) which is more than Cam had in his Heisman year
That Cam was injured for most of 2008 and was then left by mutual agreement probably because he was about to be thrown out of UF for at cheating on two separate occasions.
No Tim started because he was such a good guy.
cyngato - January 2, 2012
AFC South
It seems the AFC south schedule is reversed. I think it should be @NO and @ TB and hosting Carolina and Atlanta.
sfkelway - January 2, 2012
You mean NFC South right :p
AlbertaBronc - January 2, 2012
Yes!
sfkelway - January 2, 2012
I think so too...we played in Charlotte and Atl the last time around
K-Lazz - January 2, 2012
I hope not. I just got excited about the Broncos coming to NC. That would be a serious bummer.
jbbroncosfan27 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
i know it...would love to go see the game in BoA Stadium
K-Lazz - January 2, 2012
Yeah me too. I wasn’t able to go to the game a few years ago, so ive been hoping they’d come back soon. Hopefully it’s not a mistake. Been to several Panthers games, but never a Broncos game.
jbbroncosfan27 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
NFC south. Sorry.
sfkelway - January 2, 2012
NFL.com has the Broncos hosting TB and NO and on the road in Carolina and Atlanta. It must be correct.
sfkelway - January 2, 2012
that would be awesome!!
I really want the Broncos to come to New Orleans! i hope you are right!
veggiezaffer - January 2, 2012
YES! The Broncos are playing in Charlotte next year! I’ll definitely be going to my first Broncos game!
jbbroncosfan27 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I think its a mistake
See above
K-Lazz - January 2, 2012
So Sick of having to Play the patriots Every Year!!
CenCalBronco - January 2, 2012 via mobile
i don't mind it so much
as a litmus test. This year’s test was pretty informative about where we actually are as a team.
broncosmontana - January 2, 2012
Hey, it used to be the Colts
At least we’ve proven we can beat the Brady sometimes, but I seriously dont remember the last time the Broncos beat the colts
Calikula - January 2, 2012
it was in 2004
I believe, we beat them on a Sunday Night once when we were in their dome
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
That long ago huh?
Calikula - January 2, 2012
well
upon further review, it was actually January 2005
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
Ahh yes, 31-17, but it was the 03 season
We beat them in the 33-14 in 04 season too, which was the January 05 game at Invesco Field.
Quentin Griffin racked up 136 yards in place of an injured Clinton Portis and Mike Anderson added another 56 in that 03 game. I remember it like it was yesterday. Not having a healthy Portis in 03 hurt us in the playoff game. Both years we beat the Colts convincingly in the regular season, only to get crushed in the playoffs by them. We got around them in 05 only to give the AFC Championship game to the Steelers.
CH74 - January 2, 2012
I remember going into the old Indianapolis RCA Dome stadium for a trade show a few years back in Sep 2004 or 2005 I think
It was after the long string of playoff loses to Peyton Manning in that damned inflatable dome. We had just lost the 2003 and 2004 playoff games to the Colts.
There were some tradeshow exhibits on the floor of the RCA Dome stadium as a overflow addition to the old Indy convention center complex.
You had to walk through a long series of corridors and then through a sort of an air lock of revolving doors. As I went through and walked into the bright lights of the stadium I was kinda taken aback a bit as I stared at the place where Peyton Manning had once again destroyed my Broncos. I think I actually stopped, took a deep breath and sighed. Just the security guard said, respectfully “Your a Denver Bronco’s fan , Aren’t you?” I said yes but asked him how in the heck he could tell that. He replied that he had seen that physical reaction I had as I had walked into the stadium and the depressed sad look I had and said that he had seen that before for last couple days during the convention.
It seems that a lot of Bronco fans were like me and saw the place as where our Superbowl and playoff dreams went to die at the hands of the Colts. I laughed and thanked him as he was nice about it as he said he understood as he was actually from Kansas City himself and Peyton Manning had killed off his Chiefs dreams in the playoffs recently so he knew the feeling himself.
Kosty - January 3, 2012
ha! good story
Calikula - January 3, 2012
Playing the AFC North teams is always a big deal facing 3 playoff caliber teams.
We’ll be facing 7 playoff bound teams so it won’t be easy by any means. Playing the Raves for the 3rd straight time doesn’t set to well with me and I’m concerned with the leagues ability to schedule oponents’ playing sites.
bfree2bronc - January 2, 2012
one of the downfalls of winning the west
had we not won we probably would’ve gotten the Jets instead
AlbertaBronc - January 2, 2012
woops meant this as a reply to CenCalBronco
AlbertaBronc - January 2, 2012
copy that. and I agree
CenCalBronco - January 2, 2012 via mobile
We played the Ravens this year?
How is this the 3rd straight time?
Calikula - January 2, 2012
I think he means we’re playing in Baltimore for the 3rd straight time.
jbbroncosfan27 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, that is pretty lame. And actually, I think its longer than that
Calikula - January 2, 2012
McCoy...
Keep or fire????
Brandon Abeyta - January 2, 2012
keep
only to set on fire
T.Dot_Bronco - January 2, 2012
Some people need to settle down.... I said 9-7 btw.
tiderfootball09 - January 2, 2012
HEY! I'm calmer now.
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
9-7 is a good guess.
I say 16-0 until we ain’t!
Lost Winter - January 2, 2012
+1 T.Dot
I dont think we can afford to keep him around, this offense wont go anywhere, tebow needs somebody to get him going in the passing game, hopefully this offseason helps.
Brandon Abeyta - January 2, 2012
with how studious he is
you know it will, let’s look at the good: we came this far without an offseason, so imagine how well we can do when there is an offseason!
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
Oh, man....
over at IAOFM, TJ linked the headline that AJ Smith and Norv are likely to remain in SD.
He also said, “In a related story, Broncos fans experienced a group orgasm” LMBO!
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
looks like ill be going to foxbrough next season
should be fun… if it all pans out this will be the fifth year in a row ive seen the broncos play someone on the road. Jets, Eagles, Ravens, Bills and hopefully the Pats… Gotta love the East Coast!
BroncoJoe311 - January 2, 2012
QB next year
Tebow? A Free Agent? or A Rookie?
broncosfan1129 - January 2, 2012
Tebow
if Elway started someone else, it would be a political nightmare for him
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
I think we will continue to improve
At least we need to if we are going to get competitive.
GOD BLESS and GO BRONCOS !!!
83BroncoFan - January 2, 2012
We will continue to improve
playoff experience is going to be so good for us, it’s time the Steelers had a short trip to the playoffs, let’s beat them!
the new Bradfather - January 2, 2012
+1
Broncs55 - January 2, 2012
WOW...
4 wins and looking like a fine draft position for the 2013 draft. Backing into the playoffs could be the worst thing for the future of this franchise. UGLY schedule for 2012. I’m gettin’ too old for this.
Mee - January 2, 2012
wow
Sounds chicken sheet to me
LC43EU - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Copy thiis post
paste it on your bulletin board and we will talk again in Jan of 2013. There is a huge difference between objectivity and chicken sheet as you call it. It would be nice if you understood the difference.
Mee - January 3, 2012
Haha
Why do you hate the Broncos?
Lost Winter - January 2, 2012
We were supposed to have and UGLY schedule this year too
and how’d that work out for us
Calikula - January 2, 2012
We were blown out by the really good teams
and squeaked by with upset wins over reeling not-so-good teams under favorable circumstances. lol. just sayin
Teboner - January 2, 2012
Thats why they play the games
Lets just see what they do next year. Shouldnt your sig be 8-9 til were not?
Calikula - January 2, 2012
I think Im going to suspend the "till we're not" until next year.
So for now…..
Teboner - January 2, 2012
Lame
Sorry Teboner. Say how much to rent that space anyway?
Calikula - January 2, 2012
It'll go to the funniest quote I can find on this blog in the next month
…. or whoever has 25 bucks.
Teboner - January 3, 2012
Oh and in 2010 we were blown out by both good and bad teams
so getting blown out by good teams and squeaking by mediocre ones is A-OK with me, for this year at least
Calikula - January 2, 2012
But I am totally hoping this team proves me wrong.
Teboner - January 2, 2012
my 2 cents
most national media members through we would only win 3-4 games this year the reason we lost to KC was they want romeo as their coach romeo is a 9-7 type of coach Oakland has no Draft picks and cap room and SD has major o-line plombles so i could see Denver at 4-12 or 11-5 in 2012 the key will be not standing pat like KC did in 2011
j-man - January 2, 2012
That is a brutal schedule.
If the coaching staff and Tebow can’t get it together in the offseason then we may be looking at less than 8 wins. At least half of those teams are high scoring teams and we’ll need to keep up.
BroncoMath101 - January 2, 2012
Wow..I would be willing to bet money we have the toughest schedule of all next year.
AFC North? UGH. Cleveland will probably only improve next year. Ravens, Steelers, Bengals are capable of eating just about anyones lunch.
NFC South? UGH again. Saints? Or should I say, BREES? That sucks. ATL is obviously good. Carolina has no where to go but up, and their offense has been great this year. TB will probably rebound off this year and get back on track.
Texans and Patriots. Two more high-scoring offenses.
We cant catch a break. Efff….
Teboner - January 2, 2012
Welcome to my world. Join me in a fistful of THEEEESE babies....
HarvJNep2n - January 2, 2012
Damn...
Nick Cast - January 2, 2012
Well. more than half say we have a winning season.
i’m for that.
metalman5050 - January 2, 2012
Tebow has done more harm than good.
The Tebow flash-in-the-pan freak show has actually ended up hurting the Broncos badly. They now are much further down in the draft than they should have been and their schedule next season is brutal. At this point, with a certain slaughter at the hands of the Steelers pending, I wish they’d just sucked for Luck.
BustedBroncos - January 3, 2012
Everything about you makes me both laugh and cry.
TheMorseFile - January 3, 2012
OI VEY!!!!.....I see maybe 6 wins.....we need a DAMN good draft, a GREAT off season for Tebow and sign Carl Nicks...and find a red hot OC....not asking much, right?
boydy2669 - January 3, 2012
pppppppsssssshhhhh that schedule? Please
Sweep the west and find 4 other wins somewhere in there. Thats 10-6 baby!!
Calikula - January 3, 2012
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