The Denver Broncos are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) Sunday, and it is a must-win game for the Broncos (8-7).  Their playoff hopes are still alive, barely.  After losing their third straight game last week against the Eagles, the Broncos playoff chances almost disappeared.  To still make it, the Broncos obviously have to win this game but they also need the Jets, Ravens, and Steelers to lose.  The first part should be easy, as the Chiefs give up 380 yards per game including 161 on the ground.  Josh McDaniels is benching Brandon Marshall, but the Broncos don’t need much out of their passing game since the Chiefs cannot stop the run.  The Broncos have a very strong running game and average 116 rushing yards per game.  They may rush for close to 200 in this one, with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter splitting the carries.

On defense, the Broncos need to shut down Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.  Charles is averaging 132 rushing yards per game in the Chiefs last three contests, and if the Broncos can shut him down it makes things even harder for the Chiefs’ struggling passing game.  If Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel gets no run-support, he will have to pass more increasing the odds of an interception.  He has thrown 15 picks this season, so the Broncos secondary should be ready to make some plays.  The Broncos have more incentive to win this game and are the better team, so they should not have a problem with the Chiefs.

PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 10

The Denver Broncos are hosting the Oakland Raiders Sunday, and they should have a similar result as their first matchup where they won 23-3.  The Broncos offense looked very strong last game, especially Brandon Marshall and the passing game.  Marshall caught an NFL-record 21 passes, amounting for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.  If Orton can continue to find Marshall the Broncos should be able to cruise to an easy win.

On defense, the Broncos need to pressure the Raiders’ quarterback Charlie Frye.  Frye is making his first start of the season since Bruce Gradkowski is hurt.  The Raiders have lost all faith in JaMarcus Russell, so Frye is getting the start despite having a career 70.4 QB rating.  They will likely try and run the ball a lot so Frye doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to make mistakes.  The Raiders aren’t particularly good at running the ball either though, so the Broncos should have no problem in this game.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 24, Oakland Raiders 10

The Denver Broncos (8-4) will be trying to be the first team of the 2009 season to beat the Indianapolis Colts (12-0).  Peyton Manning has been great for the Colts all season long, so the Broncos need to be ready for a stellar passing attack.  They average over 300 yards passing per game, and they have proved that they don’t need a great running attack to open up their passing game.  They average 87 rushing yards per game, but that doesn’t mean the Broncos can only focus on their passing game.  In his last five games, Colts’ running back Joseph Addai has been averaging well over 4 yards per carry, so the Broncos need to be ready for him as well.

The Broncos are going to need to put some points up if they want to keep up with Manning and the Colts.  Kyle Orton will need to step it up, as the quarterback has thrown six interceptions in the past five games.   If the Broncos fall behind, they will need Orton and the passing game to keep them in the game.  The running game has been great all season, so Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should find a lot of success against a Colts defense that gives up 112 rushing yards per game.  Moreno and Buckhalter are coming off a great game last week where they combined for 199 rushing yards.  This is an interesting matchup, a big passing game versus a big running game, but I don’t think the Broncos’ running attack will top the Peyton Manning.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Indianapolis Colts 31, Denver Broncos 21

The Denver Broncos (7-4) are on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs (3-8) Sunday.  The Broncos should definitely win this game, and the running backs should be able to handle most of the offensive load.  With Kyle Orton still feeling the affects of a sprained ankle, the Broncos will be relying heavily on the run.  Good news is that the Chiefs are terrible at stopping the run, giving up 135 rushing yards per game.  Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should have big games for the Broncos.

The Broncos defense did an excellent job against the New York Giants last week, so I don’t see them having too much of a problem handling the Chiefs offense that only averages 270 total yards per game.  Jamaal Charles is the only running back that is healthy for the Chiefs and he has been decent for them, but the Broncos should be able to handle him and the running game.  Matt Cassel and the Chiefs passing game is not very impressive, so that wont be a problem either.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 7

Things have not been going well for the Denver Broncos (6-3) lately and unfortunately they are matched up this week against one of the hottest teams in the league right now, the San Diego Chargers (6-3).  Broncos’ quarterback Kyle Orton has been listed as a game-time decision, but he sprained his ankle pretty bad last week and I’m not so sure he will be able to go.  Even if Orton does go, I think he will be limited by that ankle and the Broncos may just be better off starting Chris Simms.  Simms did play awful last week, completing 3-13 passes and throwing an interception.  He has had a full week to prepare with the first team though, so he should be able to do much better than what he showed last week.  Whether its Orton or Simms, the Broncos will need a huge day out of their running backs.  Correll Buckhalter has been ineffective lately, and is battling a knee injury which has him listed as probable.  Knowshown Moreno has been running well lately and is coming off a 97 yard performance last game.

The Broncos defense has been very good against the pass all season, but they have not faced very many quarterbacks as good as Philip Rivers.  Rivers can put up some big numbers, so don’t expect the Broncos to hold him to their 186 yard average.  They also have LaDainian Tomlinson coming off his best game of the season, so he can open things up for the passing game.  The Chargers average 26 points per game, and although I think the defense will be able to contain them I don’t think the Broncos offense will be able to put enough points on the board to keep up with the Chargers, especially with an injured Orton/Simms starting at quarterback.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 24, Denver Broncos 17

The Denver Broncos have now dropped two straight games after a perfect start and they are looking to get back on the right track against on the road against the Washington Redskins Sunday.  The Broncos will need a better game out of Kyle Orton, who threw three interceptions and no touchdowns last week.  It was Orton’s first real bad game of the season and it was against one of the best team’s in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Don’t expect another terrible game for Orton against the Redskins, since they aren’t anywhere near the caliber of the Steelers.  They give up 126 rushing yards per contest, so Knowshown Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should have much better outings than the 27 yards combined they put up last week.

The Broncos defense has given up 58 points in their last two games, but they should be able to contain a Redskins offense that averages less than 300 total yards per game.  Their quarterback Jason Campbell is battling an ankle injury, so he wont be as mobile as usual.  Clinton Portis will be out (concussion) for the Redskins and his backup Ladell Betts is also battling an ankle injury, so the Broncos have no excuse if they lose this one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 27, Washington Redskins 17

The Denver Broncos (6-1) are coming off a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they could not get anything going offensively.  They will need a better effort from the offense in this one, as the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) are a very good football team.  They have a good defense themselves, but I don’t think it is as good as the Ravens D was last week.  Kyle Orton needs to continue to take care of the ball and take what the defense gives him.  If he can do that and get some things going for the offense, then the Broncos defense should be able to contain the Steelers offense.

Ben Roethlisberger wont have a big passing day, but he doesn’t need one for the Steelers to be effective.  He does throw some interceptions from time to time though, so the Broncos should try and force him into some bad throws.  If they can get some turnovers they will win the game, as Orton and the Broncos offense do a great job eating up the clock and holding on to the ball.  The Steelers running attack with Mendenhall and Parker can do the same thing for the Steelers, so the Broncos need to be ready to contain their running game.  This should be a close defensive battle, but I think the Broncos are going to bounce back and win a close one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Denver Broncos 28

The Denver Broncos (6-0) are taking on the Baltimore Ravens (3-3) on the road Sunday, and it should be an exciting and hard fought game.  Although the Ravens have lost three in a row, the three losses have been very close and the Ravens are better than a .500 club.  The Broncos will have to deal with the tenacious Ray Lewis and the rest of the talented Baltimore defense.   The Broncos and Kyle Orton need to continue their turnover free play, as the Ravens have a very aggressive defense that does a good job of forcing turnovers.  They will need Knowshown Moreno to step it up from last week, where he only got 44 yards on 18 carries (2.4 avg).  Correll Buckhalter should continue to bring some relief to Moreno, as he has been great all season averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

The Ravens are no longer just a team with a good defense.  Their quarterback Joe Flacco has turned their offense around the past two seasons and has 11 touchdowns and only 5 picks so far this year.  He is a big quarterback with a big arm, so the Broncos need to be aware of the deep ball.  Like the Broncos, the Ravens have a two headed running attack, with Ray Rice getting the bulk of the carries and Willis McGahee getting some too.  McGahee has been struggling lately though and will probably get less carries because of it.  If the Broncos can play like they have been all year and not turn the ball over, they should win this game.  I think the Ravens are determined to end their losing streak and will be trying to make a statement, so I am picking them to upset the undefeated Broncos.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 21, Baltimore Ravens 24

The Denver Broncos (5-0) are on the road Monday night against the San Diego Chargers (2-2) and are trying to stay undefeated.  The surprise team of the season so far, the Broncos are looking to continue their dominant running game and very effective passing offense.  The Chargers have a dangerous offense though, with Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers able to put a lot of points on the board.  They also have LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles attacking in the run-game.  If the Broncos defense can play like they have all year, then they should not have a problem.  This is probably the best offense they are going to face so far this season, so it could be tough game for their defense.  They proved last week that they can beat some of the best, as they took down the New England Patriots.

The Broncos should establish their running game like they always do, which will give Kyle Orton room to work.  Their running game is averaging 139 yards per contest and the Chargers give up over 150 rushing yards a game, so it should be an easy time for the Broncos’ running backs.  Orton has been improving week to week, and the 330 passing yards he put up last week was a nice surprise for the Broncos.  The Chargers offense will be able to put some points up against the Broncos stellar defense, but I think the Broncos will be able to hold them off enough to win.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 31, San Diego Chargers 27

The Denver Broncos’ 33-year-old head coach Josh McDaniels will be facing his former team and mentor Bill Belichick this week at home.  The Broncos defense has been very strong this year and their running game has been even stronger.  They will be without Correll Buckhalter this week though, as he is still battling an ankle injury from last week.  Knowshown Moreno is more than capable though, as he has 249 yards on 60 carries (4.2 avg).  Buckhalter and his 7.2 yards per carry will be missed though and it could be a difference maker in this game.

The Patriots will also be without their top running back, as Fred Taylor has season ending ankle surgery yesterday.  Laurence Maroney will be the starter and is averaging 2.9 yards per carry.  The Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady has looked rusty so far this season, but with Taylor out I am expecting Brady to have a big game.  The Broncos will battle hard in this game, but I think they will fall just short and lose a close one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Denver Broncos 23, New England Patriots 27