3 Bold Predictions For The Denver Broncos This Season

The Denver Broncos capped off a magical season with a win in Super Bowl 50, but go into the 2016 season looking like a vastly different most. Most of the defense is still in tact, yet Mark Sanchez is under center instead of Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler and both Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan left in free agency. What can we expect from the defending champs this season? Here are three bold predictions:

3) C.J. Anderson will have a career season

This is what most of us thought coming into last season, and Anderson proved to be a disappointment until the playoffs. He attributed that slow start of the year to being out of shape - something him and team won't let happen again. He's now a much more important part of the offense with Sanchez at quarterback. Expect him to play like the back that ran for 402 yards and four touchdowns in the last five games of the season instead of the one who recorded 552 yards and three touchdowns in the first 14 games.

2) Von Miller will lead the NFL in sacks

The reigning Super Bowl MVP had a great year with 11 sacks last season, but he has the potential to get many, many more. Miller wants the Broncos to give him a long-term contract and make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league, yet Denver hasn't given him that to this point. He'll play with a big chip on his shoulder because of it, and I see that leading to 20 sacks for Miller in 2016.

1) Denver won't win the division - but they will make the playoffs

I'm not sure if the Raiders or Chiefs will take the AFC West crown from the Broncos, but barring something unforeseen, Denver won't have the kind of quarterback play needed to win the 11 or 12 games necessary to stay at the top of the division. That being said, their defense is still the best in the league, which will keep them around 10-6 and earn them a wild card spot.