The 5 easiest matchups on the Buffalo Bills 2019 schedule
By Avery Duncan
5. Vs. Denver Broncos (week 12)
The Denver Broncos did a lot of good things in the 2019 off-season. Chief among them is firing Vance Joseph for Vic Fangio, swapping Case Keenum for Joe Flacco and rookie Drew Lock, and generally bolstering their offensive line. The culmination of head honcho John Elway’s busy free agency, trade negotiations, and draft class is a better team, but how much better remains as the question.
Flacco is, and will be, the best quarterback the Broncos have had since Peyton Manning retired — there’s little doubt about that — but he’s not a world-beater. Flacco has never thrown for less than ten interceptions in a full season and has been on a steady decline since winning Super Bowl MVP in 2013.
The Baltimore Ravens tried to build a passing attack around Flacco supplemented by subpar receivers, and it didn’t work; as the Broncos currently stand, they too aren’t a particularly talented receiving squad. Considering Flacco isn’t a guy to will his team to victory on a weekly basis, Denver’s passing attack may not be especially potent.
To be fair, the Broncos have a lot of talent on defense and have a revamped offensive line, while also boasting a run-game led by Pro Bowler Phillip Lindsay. But their off-season has been defined by moving pieces, from the coaching staff to personnel. Very little of what they bring is a guarantee. As they stand, their roster build is average and needs a boost of continuity. In the NFL, this can often lead to a demise.
Considering that the Broncos won’t be playing at home for their Bills matchup — they have one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL (see: altitude) — Buffalo has an advantage. The Bills face the Broncos well on paper, as their lack of star receivers can be protruded by a stout secondary, while an improved rush-defense can wreck their solid run-game.