Peyton Manning gets sacked by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs last season. (The Denver Post)
The Broncos again have a “first place” schedule, which means games at New England and Houston. The non-conference portion is against the NFC East. Let’s break it down:
Week … Day, Date … Opponent … Place … Time (Mountain time) … TV
1 … Thursday, Sept. 5 … Baltimore
Sports Authority Field … 6:30 p.m. … NBC
Once again, DE Elvis Dumervil will line up across from Broncos LT Ryan Clady. Only this time for keeps.
2 … Sunday, Sept. 15 at NY Giants
MetLife Stadium … 2:25 p.m. … CBS
Peyton Manning is 2-0 against younger brother Eli with 4 TDs, 1 INT and 91.4 rating,
3 … Monday, Sept. 23 … Oakland
Sports Authority Field 6:40 p.m. … ESPN
John Fox was 2-0 last year against his former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who will give QB Matt Flynn a try this year.
4 … Sunday, Sept. 29 .. Philadelphia
Sports Authority Field … 2:25 p.m. … Fox
Bronco fans get first-hand look at fast-paced, read-option offense of new Eagles’ coach Chip Kelly.
5 … Sunday, Oct. 6 … at Dallas
Cowboys Stadium … 2:25 p.m. … CBS
Top two receivers of 2010 draft — Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas (No. 22 pick) and Cowboys’ Dez Bryant (No. 24) will be featured.
6 … Sunday, Oct. 13 … Jacksonville
Sports Authority Field … 2:05 p.m. … CBS
Maybe, Jack Del Rio will be difference. The Del Rio-coached Jaguars were 4-1 against Broncos, who now employ him as defensive coordinator.
7 … Sunday, Oct. 20 … at Indianapolis
Lucas Oil Stadium … 6:30 p.m. … NBC
Manning returns to “Stadium that Peyton Built.” His 14-year career with Colts ended largely because Andrew Luck was available with No. 1 draft pick.
8 … Sunday, Oct. 27 … Washington
Sports Authority Field … 2:25 p.m. … Fox
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan returns to Denver, where he averaged 10-6 record in 14 seasons as Broncos head coach.
9 … Bye Week
Broncos also had a week 9 bye in 2010 (4-12 final record), 2005 (13-3), 2002 (9-7) and 2000 (11-5).
10 … Sunday, Nov. 10 … at San Diego
Qualcomm Stadium … 2:25 p.m. … CBS
Broncos return to scene of Philip Rivers’ turnover crime where Chargers quarterback helped Broncos overcome 24-0 halftime deficit last season.
11 … Sunday, Nov. 17 … Kansas City
Sports Authority Field … 2:05 p.m. … CBS
Chiefs figure to be considerably more competitive with Andy Reid and Alex Smith as their new coach-quarterback combo.
12 … Sunday, Nov. 24 … at New England
Gillette Stadium … 6:30 p.m. … NBC
Patriots QB Tom Brady is 9-4 head-to-head against Manning. But this time Manning will have Wes Welker.
13 … Sunday, Dec. 1 … at Kansas City
Arrowhead Stadium … 11 a.m. … CBS
This doesn’t seem like a difficult game now for Broncos, but it could have AFC West title implications by December.
14 … Sunday, Dec. 8 … Tennessee
Sports Authority Field … 2:05 p.m. … CBS
Titans are weak at quarterback (Jake Locker) but double-trouble at running back (Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene).
15 … Thursday, Dec. 12 … San Diego
Sports Authority Field . 6:25 p.m. . NFL Network
Fifth prime-time game of year. Chargers new head coach Mike McCoy was Broncos’ offensive coordinator the previous four seasons.
16 … Sunday, Dec. 22 … at Houston
Reliant Stadium … 11 a.m. … CBS
Broncos hope newly signed guard Louis Vasquez will have answer to Texans’ defensive lineman and NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt.
17 … Sunday, Dec. 29 … at Oakland
O.co Coliseum … 2:25 p.m. … CBS
It will be nice for Broncos’ interior offensive line to go into Black Hole without having to worry about Richard Seymour or Tommy Kelly.