The moment that Denver Bronco fans have been waiting for is finally here - the start of the 2012 NFL season. The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants will start things off tonight in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Super Bowl predictions this time of year are rather trendy - everyone has an opinion - and they are all worth about the same thing. Absolutely nothing. Still, I am compelled to join the fray and put my two cents worth in. Oh, wait. I forgot. My opinion is worth nothing  so forget the two cents.

The big question for Broncos fans is will Peyton Manning lead the Orange Crush back to the promised land, or is the Super Bowl just a mirage in the distance that materialized out of thin air when Denver signed the future hall of fame signal caller?

Here's the deal. I hope the Broncos' season ends with a Super Bowl victory just as much as the next guy. And it's possible that it will happen at some point before the end of the Manning era in Denver, which isn't that far off. But, sadly, I don't think this is going to be the year for the orange and blue.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think Denver is going to  have a very good team this season. Logical thinking would say if we can win 8 games, the division, and playoff game with Tim Tebow putting up dismal passing numbers, you have to think that with Manning throwing the football the Broncos will score more points and win more games. But have you seen the Broncos schedule this year? It's brutal. Second toughest in the league. So the wins are not going to come easy. Of course, they never do.

As I was saying, the Broncos are going to be a good team. A better team. But, there are still some questions - particularly on defense. And the big question for me is do they have the depth to withstand a barrage of injuries? That fact combined with a killer schedule means the Broncos might get to 10 wins, and should win the division. But, the story probably ends with a first round playoff loss again this year. And Broncos' fans  will again be forced to look ahead to the promise of "next year" - at which point I am primed to predict a Super Bowl appearance and victory in Peyton Manning's final NFL season.

As for this year, the official Zane Mathews Super Bowl Prediction - for what it's worth - is New England beating San Francisco. Feel free to check out  ESPN’s latest power rankings, and give us YOUR Super Bowl prediction. It's worth at least as much as mine - maybe more.

 

 

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