ENGLEWOOD – This is a huge season opener for the Denver Broncos.
Unless they lose.
If that happens then, you know, it’s only one game with 15 more to go.
In the previous 10 seasons, eight Super Bowl champions won their first game. The 2014 New England Patriots and 2011 New York Giants did not. And so the opener may or may not be significant to the big picture that is the 2018 season.
Still, after the Broncos went 5-11 last year, life would be so much easier in week 2 for second-year head coach Vance Joseph and first-time quarterback Case Keenum if they won Game 1.
Here is a Klis List of 9 key factors for the Broncos to start the season with a win:
1. Miller Time
In just seven seasons, Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is already tied for 55th all-time with 83.5 career sacks. If he gets 2.5 more, he will pass Leonard Marshall, Howie Long, James Harrison and Osi Umenyiora, among others, and become tied with Willie McGinest for 50th place.
The Broncos could use 2.5 sacks from Miller against arguably the league’s best off-script, scrambling quarterbacks in Seattle’s Russell Wilson. In what should be the game’s biggest mismatch, Seattle right tackle Germain Ifedi has no chance of handling Miller one-on-one.
2. Case and his cast
The brunt of the 5-11 blame went to the Broncos’ three quarterbacks last year – Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch – none of whom are back with the team. Case Keenum was signed to the rescue.
After a rough preseason opener in limited play, Keenum and the first-team offense moved the ball well in their next two preseason games.
3. Roll rookie Royce
As it played out, it was rookie Royce Freeman who replaced C.J. Anderson as the Broncos’ starting tailback with Devontae Booker returning as the No. 2 tailback. Freeman is 10 pounds bigger and 5 years younger than Anderson. Freeman was terrific in the preseason while showing a knack for smelling the goal line.
4. Chat up, Russell
For the second consecutive year, there’s a national story about how Seahawk veterans resent the preferential treatment coach Pete Carroll gives quarterback Russell Wilson.
Many of those outspoken veterans are gone, but the Denver D might as well keep the story alive with a little smack talk whenever possible.
Hey, Russell, how can you play quarterback knowing your teammates hate you!
5. Don’t test, Lockett
Seattle’s Tyler Lockett was the league’s top kickoff returner last year. Brandon McManus can thwart that with nothing but touchbacks at Mile High.
6. Stay strong through trouble
The Broncos did not handle adversity well last season. See their eight-game losing streak and eight of their 11 losses by at least 10 points.
In almost every NFL game, there is a point when momentum is with the other guys and winning appears dire.
The Broncos have Keenum and a mature group of college captains for greater maturity this year.
7. Red zone
The Broncos ranked 32nd in red-zone efficiency last season by converting just 39.6 percent of their red-zone possessions into touchdowns. The NFL does not have a 33rd team.
The Broncos should have some better red zone weapons this year in tight end Jake Butt, No. 3 receiver Courtland Sutton, and running backs Phillip Lindsay and Freeman.
8. Stay back
There were too many breakdowns in the Broncos’ secondary last year and Wilson is the type of quarterback who can scramble guys open for big plays. Seattle has nice receivers in Doug Baldwin, Lockett, Brandon Marshall and Jaron Brown.
9. Where's the game at?
There is such a thing as Mile High Magic as the Broncos are 17-1 in home openers dating back to 2000. Seattle's 12th man will be watching from their couches.
