ENGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Life certainly does come at you fast.
Just a few short weeks ago, the Denver Broncos felt good about their depth on defense and considered themselves poised to be back in the playoff conversation. They still believe that, but a cluster of injuries in the defensive front seven was enough to almost overshadow the quarterback competition in camp. The Broncos expect to have players such as defensive end Derek Wolfe (ankle), defensive end Jared Crick (back) and linebacker Shane Ray (wrist) by the start of the regular season or shortly after.
The 10-6 season predicted just after the schedule came out in April still looks like the result.
Week 1: 10:20 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 11, vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos have opened the previous six seasons at home and are 5-1 in those games. This is Vance Joseph's regular-season debut as coach, and it comes in the nationally televised last game of the opening weekend. Record: 1-0
Week 2: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Broncos were poised to make this a tough go for the Cowboys, even before Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension was handed down. If Elliott doesn't play -- he has appealed the suspension -- the Cowboys still have enough brawn on offense to test the Broncos' revamped run defense. Record: 2-0
Week 3: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 24, at Buffalo Bills
This is the Broncos' only road game in the first seven weeks of the season, which means they have to make the most of the early run before a back-loaded travel schedule kicks in. The Broncos will go in on Friday to try to head off some of the trouble they have had in the past with 1 p.m. games in the Eastern Time Zone. Record: 2-1
Week 4: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 1, vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders were one of just two teams to beat the Broncos at home during the 2015 Super Bowl season. Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack edged Von Miller for the Defensive Player of the Year award last season, so Miller will be one to watch in this one. Record: 3-1
Week 5: BYE
The Broncos better get their rest. It's a long run from here to the next opportunity for a couple days off after their Thursday night appearance in Week 15.
Week 6: 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 15, vs. New York Giants
Because of the schedule rotations, the Giants haven't played in Denver since a 26-6 Broncos win in 2009. Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall should provide quality matchups with Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib that will be well worth the attention. Record: 4-1
Week 7: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 22, at Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos have three AFC West games within their first seven of the season, including both matchups with the Chargers. It's an important stretch if the Broncos hope to stay in the playoff conversation, given that this is the first of three consecutive road games. Record: 5-1
Week 8: 8:30 p.m. ET Monday, Oct. 30, at Kansas City Chiefs
The Broncos' trip to Arrowhead last season ended with former Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe throwing a touchdown pass in a 33-10 Kansas City rout. How the Broncos contain Tyreek Hill this time around will be the issue at hand. Record: 5-2
Week 9: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 5, at Philadelphia Eagles
The third game in this three-game road stretch features an 11 a.m. kickoff -- Denver time -- so that's something to consider. But Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has never faced the Broncos' secondary. Ultimately, that matchup should decide things. Record: 6-2
Week 10: 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 12, vs. New England Patriots
The Broncos have faced the Patriots in the regular season in each of the past seven seasons. Add three meetings in the playoffs in that span, and it's no wonder Aqib Talib, a former Patriots cornerback, has said: "I feel like I stayed in the division with them." Record: 6-3
Week 11: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 19, vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Whether the Broncos keep themselves in the postseason mix at this point will depend on how they handle their business away from home. This game against the Bengals is one of just three home games over the final seven weeks of the season. Record: 7-3
Week 12: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 26, at Oakland Raiders
By this time in the season, folks are going to have a pretty good idea of whether the departing Raiders are having difficulty playing lame-duck football in Oakland. If so, the Broncos will get a much-needed win. Record: 7-4
Week 13: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 3, at Miami Dolphins
Dolphins coach Adam Gase is a creative playcaller with a knack for personnel. He knows the Broncos just as well as they know him. Gase and current Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy constructed an offense for Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning in consecutive seasons in their time together with the Broncos. Record: 7-5
Week 14: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. New York Jets
Few in the league see much hope for the Jets as they again try to remake their roster and answer seemingly endless questions at quarterback. By this time in the season, the die will be cast on their season. Record: 8-5
Week 15: 8:25 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 14, at Indianapolis Colts
Talent likely won't be an issue in this game; the Broncos' roster is better. But this will be Denver's 10th game since the bye -- in a short week and on the road. Record: 8-6
Week 16: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 24, at Washington Redskins
The Redskins aren't exactly known for their stability, and by this point, any of their issues will have likely revealed themselves. If the Broncos have an answer for quarterback Kirk Cousins, they get a win. Record: 9-6
Week 17: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. Kansas City Chiefs
If this game is as important as most think it will be, the Broncos need to remember their rare defensive collapse in last season's loss to the Chiefs in Denver. Record: 10-6