Denver Broncos Vs. Carolina Panthers: 5 Bold Predictions For NFL Week 1
The 2016 NFL season will kick off on Thursday evening with the Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50. Both teams will look a lot different from when they last met, but they are both expected to be major contenders in their respective conferences.
It has been a long offseason with a lot of stories being created to watch in the regular season. There are quite a few in particular to watch this week.
First of all, the Broncos are hoping to figure out who will step up and fill the shoes that Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler left. Trevor Siemian will start Thursday night’s game, while Paxton Lynch is his primary backup. Carolina has to figure out how to replace the playmaking and production that Josh Normal took with him when he left and signed with the Washington Redskins.
Looking ahead to the season opener on Thursday night, these two teams are prepared to put on a show. Even with the major changes for both organizations, they should be serious contenders and are hoping to make that statement in their first game of the season.
All of that being said, what five bold predictions can be made for the Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers’ NFL Week 1 matchup?
Carolina has the reigning MVP on their side and Cam Newton is ready to come through with another huge season. He will start off the season strong with five total touchdowns. Denver has a great defense, but Newton will find a way to shred them and give the Panthers a good chance to start the season 1-0.
Paxton Lynch Will See Action Before the End of the Game
This isn’t stating that the Broncos are going to get blown out, but more along the lines of stating that Trevor Siemian is not the starter that Denver needs. John Elway drafted Paxton Lynch high for a reason. Even though they wanted to let him sit on the sidelines and learn via that route, he will see action before the end of the game.
Kelvin Benjamin Will Come Back with a Huge Performance
After tearing his ACL last season, Kelvin Benjamin is hoping to be the missing piece for the Panthers’ offense. Benjamin will come back with a huge performance against the Broncos. Even though Denver has talented defensive backs, the 6-foot-5 wide receiver will find a way to make a major impact on the game.
Obviously, the Broncos will be needing their running backs to step up in a big way this season. C.J. Anderson is the starter and will be looking to earn the big contract that he received from Denver this offseason. He will rush for at least 125 yards and two touchdowns throughout the game.
Carolina Will Pull Out a Hard-Fought Victory
Last season, the Broncos knocked off the Panthers in the biggest game of the year. This time around, the Panthers will get their revenge, at least for the time being. Newton and company will find a way to get the win, although the Broncos are going to make them work extremely hard for it.
Expect to see this game come down to the wire when everything is said and done. The game will come down to which team makes fewer mistakes down the stretch of the fourth quarter.
Do you think both of these teams should be viewed as Super Bowl contenders this season? What is your prediction for Thursday night’s game? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[Photo by Bob Leverone/AP Images]
