CENTENNIAL -- It takes an archeological dig to find highlights from last season, one of the most disappointing in Broncos' history. The opener, however, provided hope as Denver held on for a last-second victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with Vance Joseph having the "time of his life."
Joseph enters this season coaching for his life with the Broncos, needing a solid start to turn 2017 into an amnesia experience.
The rebound begins in Denver on Sept. 9 against Seattle. The home slate is highlighted by a Monday night Oct. 1 game versus Kansas City and the return of Aqib Talib and Wade Phillips with the Los Angeles Rams on Oct 14.
In Week 1, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson represents a challenge for a Broncos defense that no longer features the No Fly Zone secondary.
The Broncos boast a home flavor to their early schedule, leaving them hopeful they can replicate last year's 3-1 launch. Following the Seahawks game, the Broncos host Oakland on Sept. 16. The first road game arrives on Sept. 23 at Baltimore. It is sandwiched between Oakland and the Kansas City contest at home.
One thing is clear, Denver is no longer a national draw. The Broncos play two Monday night games, Kansas City at home and at Oakland on Christmas Eve. Denver has not won an AFC West road game since Peyton Manning retired following the Super Bowl 50 victory.
The Broncos travel to the Jets in Week 5. Denver stuffed the Jets last season, halting an eight-game losing streak, the longest in 50 years. A primetime Thursday matchup at Arizona on Oct. 18 follows.
A more preferable bye week this season falls after Week 9 at home against Houston. Last season, the Broncos went 2-10 after the bye week after Week 4, including an embarrassing home loss against the winless New York Giants. A home game against Pittsburgh on Nov. 25 should be a popular ticket given the way Steelers fans travel.
The Broncos finish with three of their last five games on the road at Cincinnati Dec. 2, at San Francisco on Dec. 9 and at Oakland on Dec. 24.
The Broncos 2018 Schedule:
PRESEASON
Aug. 11 vs. Minnesota at 7:05 p.m. MDT
Aug. 18 vs. Chicago at 7:05 p.m. MDT
Aug. 24 at Washington at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Aug. 30 at Arizona at 7 p.m. MST
REGULAR SEASON
Sept. 9 vs. Seattle at 2:25 p.m. MDT
Sept. 16 vs. Oakland at 2:25 p.m. MDT
Sept. 23 at Baltimore at 1 p.m. EDT
Oct. 1 vs. Kansas City at 6:15 p.m. MDT
Oct. 7 at New York Jets at 1 p.m. EDT
Oct. 14 vs. L.A. Rams at 2:05 p.m. MDT
Oct. 18 at Arizona at 5:20 p.m. MST
Oct. 28 at Kansas City at 12 p.m. CDT
Nov. 4 vs. Houston at 2:05 p.m. MST
Nov. 18 at Los Angeles Chargers at 1:05 p.m. PST
Nov. 25 vs. Pittsburgh at 2:25 p.m. MST
Dec. 2 at Cincinnati at 1 p.m. EST
Dec. 9 at San Francisco at 1:05 p.m. PST
Dec. 15 vs. Cleveland
Dec. 24 at Oakland at 5:15 p.m. PST
Dec. 30 vs. L.A Chargers at 2:25 p.m. MST
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
