The Denver Broncos failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2016. It marked the first time since 2010 they didn't reach the postseason and came on the heels of their Super Bowl 50 triumph to send Peyton Manning into retirement as a champion.Filling the void left by Manning remains a question mark as new head coach Vance Joseph takes the reins of the defensively talented squad. Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch are likely to battle for the starting job during training camp, and the winner's success will play a key role in the team's campaign.In addition, the Broncos are facing an extremely tough schedule in 2017, so their margin for error will be thin starting right away in Week 1. Let's check out the entire slate (via NFL.com) and analyze what lies ahead as Denver attempts to make a quick return to the playoffs.ScheduleAnalysisNo team faces a more difficult schedule on paper than Denver. That won't severely alter expectations for a team with so much talent, especially on defense, but it does make the challenge more daunting.John Breech of CBSSports.com noted the Broncos' opponents for 2017 had the highest combined record last season at 147-107-2. By comparison, the Indianapolis Coltsa team they could battle for a wild-card spotwill play a group that posted a 107-146-3 mark.That probably won't be accepted as an excuse if the Broncos have a down season, and it's not a perfect metric because teams change from year to year. But if they do earn a spot in the postseason, they'll certainly have earned it.In February, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post passed along comments from general manager John Elway, who provided a pretty simple breakdown of what needs to happen for the Broncos to succeed."We have to get better offensively and we have to compete better offensively to say, 'You know what, we carry half of this load,'" Elway said.The oddsmakers are still optimistic about Denver, though. The team is listed as the co-third choice with the Oakland Raiders for the AFC Championship behind only the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, according to OddsShark.Pivotal MatchupsThe AFC West projects as a brutal adventure for every team involved once again in 2017. All four of the teams in the division should be highly competitive, and there are at least twothe Broncos and Raiderswith title aspirations if things break their way.That's why all four of the teams' schedules are difficult, as the NFL pointed out:The most important matchups for Denver will likely be the two games with the Kansas City Chiefs. If Oakland lives up to the hype, and it should barring injury problems, the Chiefs and Broncos could fight for a second playoff berth out of the West.Denver lost both games between the sides last season and proceeded to miss the playoffs by a single game. If it can at least earn a split with Kansas City this time around, or potentially even turn the tables and get a sweep, the outlook becomes far more promising.
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