During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Denver Broncos’ most difficult games are the focus.

Denver Broncos Most Difficult Games in 2016

1. Week 15 vs. The New England Patriots

Could it really be anyone else? Not in 2016. Truly, the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos have had some titanic clashes in both the regular season and playoffs in recent years. While the Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning narrative is no longer in play, the fact remains that these are still the same teams that competed for an AFC Championship back in January. The Broncos will likely try to apply the same formula for success they did back then, but don’t count out Bill Belichick’s ability to adjust his game-plan. This match-up will likely go a long way toward determining playoff seeding in the AFC and will have huge implications for the entire conference.

Also, after serving a four-game suspension to start the year, Brady will be in mid-season form in December. That’s a scary thought for any defense. On Denver’s side of the field, we still aren’t certain who the opening day starter will be, let alone who will be under center in week 15. The Broncos have their hands full in this one.

2. Week 1 vs. The Carolina Panthers

The Broncos re-match with their Super Bowl opponents will kick off the 2016 NFL season on September 8th. While the original contest resulted in a fairly convincing Denver victory, the Carolina Panthers have much to prove on Opening Night. One of the hardest things to accomplish in the NFL is to shut down a player like Cam Newton twice. Ron Rivera‘s bunch has had all off-season to think about this moment. The departure of Josh Norman will sting the Panthers quite a bit this season, but most of the key ingredients to the team’s success remain in the mix. This will be one of the toughest tests the Broncos could possibly imagine.

3. Week 16 @ The Kansas City Chiefs

Now some key AFC West contests enter the equation. The Kansas City Chiefs are perennially overlooked and underrated, but they were one of the hottest teams in the league for most of last season. 2015 saw the Chiefs put together a winning streak of eleven games while handing the Broncos one of the only convincing defeats they suffered all season. All while Jamaal Charles was on injured reserve. In Week 16, in front of a raucous home crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, this Christmas night game could have enormous divisional implications. The Broncos will be coming off am emotional contest the previous week versus the Patriots and they simply cannot afford to let their guard down against a very tough Kansas City team.

4. Week 2 vs. The Indianapolis Colts

Checking in at number four, this game could easily be higher on this list. The Indianapolis Colts are primed for a massive bounce-back sseason and Andrew Luck should return to his sensational 2014 form. The Colts have always been stiff competition for Denver, as Luck is 3-1 versus the Broncos for his career. Armed with weapons like T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Phillip Dorsett, the Colts offense is among a short list that is capable of challenging the Broncos defensive unit. Yes it’s an early season, non-divisional match-up, but history is history. The Colts have long been a handful for the Denver Broncos, and that’s unlikely to change in 2016.

5. Week 3 vs. The Cincinnati Bengals

Another early season, non-divisional opponent this high on the list, you ask? When talking about a team as talented as the Cincinnati Bengals, the answer is a resounding yes. The Bengals field an insanely deep roster, and have made five consecutive playoff appearances from the highly competitive AFC North. Last season when these teams faced off, the Broncos narrowly escaped a Week 16 contest with 20-17 overtime victory. This, of course, all took place while Andy Dalton sidelined with an injured thumb. After a frustrating and controversial playoff exit, the Bengals have much to prove early in the 2016 season. They will be chomping at the bit to do so at the expense of last year’s champions.

6. Week 9 @ The Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders will be one of the most fascinating stories of the 2016 season. This is a team that has assembled an impressive core of young talent with players like Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Khalil Mack blossoming at the pro level. Clearly, the Raiders are poised to take a huge step forward in the coming year. In fact, they might be the surprise team of 2016. Yes, the Broncos have had the Raiders’ number lately, but that could be about change. The Raiders are ready to make a big statement in the AFC West. A mid-season home game on Sunday Night Football against their rivals may be just the time to do it.

7. Week 7 vs. The Houston Texans

It’s borderline crazy that the Brock Osweiler Bowl is so low on this list. The Monday night match-up between Osweiler’s Houston Texans and his former club is certainly an intriguing one. Ignored in all of the drama surrounding the youngster’s departure from Denver is the fact that this is an important AFC match-up. The Texans have overhauled their offense in a big way this off-season, adding Osweiler and Lamar Miller, while selecting wideouts Will Fuller (first round) and Braxton Miller (third round) in the 2016 NFL Draft. With Deandre Hopkins still in the mix, and J.J. Watt expected to back at full strength well before Week 7, this will be one of the toughest tests the Broncos will face on paper all season. The lack of divisional implications is literally the only thing that drops this game so low on this list.

8. Week 17 vs. The Oakland Raiders

This game is a bit difficult to analyze, because Week 17 contests are always predicated on the standings. This game could be an enormous contest for the division title or at the very least, a playoff berth. It could also be a meaningless game, or a situation where one team is resting its starters. As such, it’s difficult to speculate on what the implications will be.

Are we hedging a bit by putting this match-up in the middle of the pack? Certainly. But it’s likely that both of these teams will have something to play for late in the season. The only reason it is listed beneath the Week 9 showdown is because of the uncertainty that surrounds it. The way the standings shake down throughout the season could vault this game into the top three or drop it all the way down to the bottom of the list.

Make sure you keep reading and check out Denver’s eight easiest games in 2016.