Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Washington Redskins in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Washington Redskins in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

45. . . Previous: . Denver Broncos. 21. team

The Denver Broncos don’t move in our pre-Week 1 power rankings, although that could change if they manage to get the kind of production out of free-agent pickup, quarterback Case Keenum, this season.

Quarterback play was the No. 1 problem for general manager John Elway’s squad last year, prompting a few thoughts his ability to evaluate QBs might not be as spectacular as many of us would like to think. OK, he landed future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in free agency a while back. But that was a no-brainer at the time. Every move since has pretty much backfired.

Keenum looked solid enough in Denver’s regular-season tuneup against the Washington Redskins. So did wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who had 61 yards receiving and added a rushing touchdown as well off a 27-yard scamper.

But the Broncos still have some major question marks heading towards the regular season. Right tackle Menelik Watson landed on injured reserve with a pectoral strain, and the right side of Denver’s O-line was a bit worrisome to begin with.

The AFC West is still a fairly tough division too, which could make the Broncos’ chances of returning to the postseason a bit grim.