Strength of Schedule

Denver has played a lot of tough teams throughout the first half of the season and I wanted to compare the rest of the playoff caliber teams to see how the strength of schedules stack up.   I researched the 12 teams that would be in the playoffs if the playoffs started tomorrow.  In addition to opponents records and winning percentage, I broke down each teams wins versus 3 levels of opponents.  The first level is the "Contender" or playoff teams.  All 12 of these teams have a minimum of 5 wins and no more than 3 losses.  The next tier of opponent is the "Wannabes" or average teams with 4-4 records +/- 1.   The last tier of opponent is the "pretenders" or teams that have 3 or less wins.  My research is listed below the jump and is in descending order from best to worst strength of schedule.  Following my research is brief analysis and poll.  Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy.

Broncos  6-2  Opp.  36-28  Pct. .563  Vs.  Cont. 4-1  Wana.  0-1  Pret.   2-0

Falcons   5-3   Opp.  35-29  Pct. .547  Vs.  Cont. 0-3  Wana.  1-0  Pret.   4-0

Cardinals 5-3  Opp.  35-31  Pct. .530  Vs.  Cont. 0-1  Wana.  4-0  Pret.   1-2

Bengals  6-2   Opp.  34-31  Pct. .523  Vs.  Cont. 1-1  Wana.  4-1  Pret.   1-0

Steelers  6-2   Opp.  32-32  Pct. .500  Vs.  Cont. 3-1  Wana.  0-1  Pret.   3-0

Saints      8-0   Opp.  29-36  Pct. .446  Vs.  Cont. 2-0  Wana.  5-0  Pret.   1-0

Cowboys 6-2   Opp.  29-36  Pct. .446  Vs.  Cont. 2-1  Wana.  0-1  Pret.   4-0

Chargers 5-3   Opp.  29-36  Pct. .446  Vs.  Cont. 0-2  Wana.  1-1  Pret.   4-0

Patriots    6-2   Opp.  28-36  Pct. .438  Vs.  Cont. 2-1  Wana.  2-1  Pret.   2-0

Eagles      5-3   Opp.  28-37  Pct. .431  Vs.  Cont. 0-2  Wana.  1-0  Pret.   4-1

Colts         8-0   Opp.  26-39  Pct. .400  Vs.  Cont. 1-0  Wana.  4-0  Pret.   3-0

Vikings     7-1   Opp.  24-40  Pct. .375  Vs.  Cont. 1-1  Wana.  3-0  Pret.   3-0

Some fans and most the media may be ready to right off the Broncos for the rest of the season, but I'm not one of them.  My Broncos are 6-2 despite playing 5 playoff caliber teams (more than any other contender)  and 4-1(better than any other contender) in those games.  We lost to 1 wannabe and basically shut down the 2 pretenders we played.  Would I rather be 8-0 or 7-1, heck yeah, but at what cost?  The Colts, Vikings and Saints (23-1combined record) have played 5 contenders combined with a 4-1 record against them.  I'm not saying Denver's better, but at least Denver knows where they stand and what they need to fix going forward.

And about going forward, Denver plays 3 contenders, 1 wannabe and 4 pretenders in the second half of the season.  A much easier schedule should result in 6 or 7 wins along with confidence and momentum going into the playoffs.  I may be on the short list of kool-aid drinkers left, but I know football and I know good things are ahead.

I'm proud of my Broncos for being 6-2.  I'm proud of my team for playing as a team.  I'm proud of the coaches and players for working so dang hard in practice.  I'm proud of the players for giving every ounce of effort on game day.  I'm proud of the coaches for respecting the players.  I'm proud of the players for respecting each other and the coaches.  I'm proud of the unprecedented amount of "faith" and "praise" and "humbleness" that resides in that locker room.  I'm ecstatic to be a Bronco fan and can't wait to kick off the second half of the season! 

13-3 BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!