2014 Jets Opponents: Denver Broncos
2014 Jets Opponents: The Jets Will Face the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in 2014.
What will be the key to beating the AFC Champion Denver Broncos next season? Perhaps a Geno Smith rushing touchdown. He had six TDs on the ground in six different games as a rookie, and the Jets won every time.
Of course, it might take more than one TD run to beat future HOF QB Peyton Manning. At 37, he's like a fine wine getting better with age after a regular season record 55 passing touchdowns.
RB Bilal Powell may have been out-scored by DT Sheldon Richardson this year, but don't let that fool you into thinking he didn't have a great season. The third-year back enjoyed a breakout season, setting career highs in rushing attempts (176), rushing yards (697), receptions (36) and receiving yards (272).
WR Eric Decker's 11 receiving touchdowns this season were good enough for third place in the AFC, yet he couldn't even crack the top-two of his own team. WR Demaryius Thomas and TE Julius Thomas scored 14 and 12 times respectively.
WR Stephen Hill has battled injuries through his first two NFL seasons, but look for the Georgia Tech product to break out as one of the league's top receivers next season if he can stay healthy.
The Jets won't complain about WR Wes Welker no longer residing in the AFC East. In 15 career games vs. the Green & White, he's compiled 85 receptions, 995 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.
The Denver Broncos finished 15th in the league last season in rushing yards per game with 117.1. Look for LB David Harris and the rest of the gang to hold the Broncos under the century-mark on the ground next season.
Not to take anything away from the Broncos receivers, but part of what made them so great was the outstanding pass blocking along the O-line. The Broncos led the league in sacks allowed per pass play, and when you give Peyton Manning time, good luck stopping him.
That's why it will be crucial that DT Sheldon Richardson and the fellow defensive linemen break through. By the time we're previewing the Jets-Broncos matchup a few months from now, perhaps we will be referring to Richardson as "Defensive Rookie of the Year." We will find out this Saturday evening.
Fortunately, we won't need to travel to Mile High Stadium in order to take on the Broncos. Spanning 16 games across the 2012 and 2013 regular seasons, they've won 14 times and lost just twice playing at home.
