Now I know all of the talk is around the Patriots, but the Broncos have had success against New England in the past.  If you look at the improvements of the Broncos they have addressed every issue from last season.  The combination of Dre Bly with Champ Bailey will be able to shut down about any passing attack in the NFL.  They will return with a healthy Nick Ferguson and John Lynch clearly still has some gas left in the tank.  This Defense started last season in historic pace, but from the second half of the Indianapolis game on fell off of the radar.  I don't see anyone passing on this team now, even the mighty Colts.  The loss of Al Wilson is tough, but that was going to happen anyway he wasn't going to get cleared to play with his neck injury.  I can see Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder having immediate impacts on the line along with Elvis Dumervil who had 8.5 sacks last season only playing in 10 games off of the bench. Marcus Thomas should have been a top 10 pick, and so if he can clean up his act this can be a very good and very young D line.

On to the Offense, there isn't a QB controversy this year.  Cutler looked good in the games he played in, 9 Td's to only 5 Int.  Not to shabby for a rookie thrown into the mix in mid season.  With the addition of Stokley, and Javon Walker back into full form after recovering from his injury the passing game is only getting better   The running game is going to be one of the best in football once again.  Travis Henry ran for 1400+ yards in Buffalo and 1200+ yards in Tennessee, neither of which is considered a great team, imagine what he can do in an offence known for taking no-name guys and getting them 1500+ yards.  MVP anyone??? Ok, that's a little bit much I know.  Graham will work well as a blocking Tight End as well as a receiver, and Tony Scheffler looked very good as a rookie last year, he has great chemistry with Jay Cutler as does Brandon Marshall.  

Basically all of the tools are in place for this team to make a run, there shouldn't be locker room issues as there were last year.  And, if the Defense holds up they now have an Offense that can score enough points to get them over the top.  While the Colts have given this team trouble in the past I feel they have given up too much in the off season, and Addai can not carry that running game alone.  The only thing in Denver's way would seem to be the Pats and the Chargers.  San Diego has too many issues, and by far not the right guy at the helm Turner is a proven loser.  As for the Pats, Denver can stop the passing game, they match well against the run, and have a great Offense.  While all of this really means nothing until the season actually starts I will throw my hat in the ring now and say New England vs Denver for the AFC title

New England- 17

Denver- 24

            No matter what this would be a fun game to watch.