The regular season is literally just days away and the Denver Broncos are trying to follow up a 14-3 season with one that matches or beats it. The challenge is significant. Of the 36 teams who have won 14 or more games in a regular season, only two (’89 49ers and ‘03 Patriots) have won at least that many games the following season.
To make things even more difficult, the Broncos are playing in an AFC West that is considered to be stacked with talent this season. Head coach Sean Payton said that now
that they’ve won the AFC west they must find a way to stay there.
“There’s a history with all those division opponents and usually you have to find a way to beat the one that’s at the top,” Payton said this week. “So that was our task right away, it was Kansas City. They had won this division however many years in a row… We’re competing in a real good division. You just look around, everyone has gotten better. The focus more is internal, our improvement and playing well.”
So while it would be great to see Denver win another 14 games this season, it isn’t necessary to take care of business in their division. Win the division first. Then worry about playoff seeding. A lot must go right for a 14+ win season, but you don’t need a 14+ win season to in titles.
