The Broncos 6 Toughest Games In 2015

DENVER (CBS4) - It has been a good three years for Peyton Manning in Denver (regular season at least). Since 2012, the Broncos have gone 13-3, 13-3 and 12-4, and I think most people would expect at the Broncos to win another 10-14 games this season. So where will those losses come from during the 2015 campaign? Here are the six toughest tests for the Broncos in the next four months.

6. AFC West games vs. Kansas City/San Diego – Broncos have dominated the AFC West the last three years, just one loss at home to the Chargers in 2013. Still, I think one (or more) of the four match-ups against the Chiefs or Chargers will be a loss in 2015. If I had to pick one, Week 2 at Kansas City where the Broncos will be on a short week still early in the season (more on that later).'

5. Nov. 1 vs. Green Bay – Packers are one of the Super Bowl favorites in the NFC, but this game is at home and on a Sunday night where the Broncos will honor Pat Bowlen, so I think the Mile High advantage keeps this game from being higher on the list.

4. Nov. 29 vs. New England – Similar story with this game against the Patriots. New England has dominated Denver in Foxborough the past few regular seasons, but a prime time game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High could make the Broncos a slight favorite in this one.

3. Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore – I have the home opener against the Ravens at No. 3 because like the Broncos. Baltimore is coming off a tough playoff loss last year and should be motivated. And after the preseason Denver had (John Elway, Peyton Manning and Gary Kubiak have all admitted the offense is a work in progress), I don't think we can count on Manning to come out firing in Week 1.

2. Dec. 20 at Pittsburgh – Steelers are a contender in the AFC again this year, and while Manning looks healthy right now, there is no guarantee he won't be slowing down again come December. A lovely 35-degree Sunday at Heinz Field certainly doesn't help the degree of difficulty for this one.

1. Nov. 8 at Indianapolis – Manning vs. Colts IV is back in Indianapolis, and right now Manning is just 1-2 against his former team (including last season's humiliating playoff loss). Andrew Luck and the Colts' offense have enough fire power to challenge Denver's daunting defense, and who knows how Peyton will handle the pressure of another return home.

Mark Haas is CBS4's weekend sports anchor and sports reporter. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.