Is Going 15-2 Realistic for the Denver Broncos This Season?

Kyle in New Mexico called in to play the win-loss game and did not flinch once. Sixteen games into the exercise, the Denver Broncos were still undefeated. By the end, he had them at 15-2 with a Super Bowl parade attached.

It started on opening Monday night in Kansas City. "Broncos get a W week one," Kyle said, which even caught Rich off guard. From there the home opener against the Jaguars went in the win column despite Rich pointing out that Jacksonville spanked Denver in that building last year.

Then came the Rams, and Kyle was unbothered by a visiting line that may include Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett. "The number one offensive line against maybe Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett," he said. "We'll go Broncos." Rich noted that Sean Payton and Liam Coen will both play that week for everything it is worth, and joked the two of them might size each other up as a halftime ceremony.

San Francisco in Mexico City went Denver's way because, per Kyle, the Niners did not want the smoke down there. The first loss came at the Chargers, and then Kyle rattled off eight straight: Seattle in a throwback-uniform home game, at Arizona, a home sweep of the Chiefs, at Carolina with no Superman to save them, home for the Raiders whether it is Kirk Cousins or Mendoza, the Friday after Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh with the terrible towels sent packing, home for Miami, and a road win over the Jets.

That put Denver at 12-1 heading to Vegas, which Kyle plans to attend in person. Christmas at home against the Bills got the sharpest line of the call. "Hey Bills fans, that was a catch and that's a win."

A road win in New England followed, which Kyle admitted cuts against history in Foxborough, and the only other blemish came in the finale at home against the Chargers. His reasoning there was honest: "Chargers always have our number and they always play us tough."

Rich's verdict was blunt. "Fifteen and two for the Broncos is a tall order," he said, and then walked back through the front of the schedule to explain why. At Kansas City on a Monday night. Home for the defending AFC South champs who punked them in that building last year. Home for the Rams with Garrett and Donald and everybody else coming for them. Then San Francisco, then the Chargers, then a quick turnaround at home against the defending Super Bowl champions.

"That first six weeks is a gauntlet," the desk agreed. Best case scenario landed at 6-3 at the bye, which is a long way from losing twice all year.

The other hole in a 15-2 projection is the back half of the schedule, where Denver visits Arizona, Carolina, Pittsburgh, the Jets, Vegas and New England. On average, one of those teams surprises you. Arizona could be tougher than expected. Carolina could climb above .500 and win a division after feeling good about itself last year. Pittsburgh could be a much better offensive team with Rodgers feeling good. Vegas has been engulfed by Fernando Mania. The Jets have Geno starting week two.

Kyle's energy earned the respect it deserved. "When you call and you play the win-loss game, you got to bring it," Rich said. Kyle brought it, and even threw in an offer to mail some Los Pollos Hermanos chicken to the studio.