Digging Deep Into the 2012 Schedule

As you probably expected, it’s 16 games. Eight at home, eight on the road. But what lies beyond — and what are the trends prevalent in each matchup?

Since it’s never too early to take a glance, please follow the links below for notes, anecdotes and random facts on each game.

BREAKING DOWN THE 2012 BRONCOS SCHEDULE:

• Week 1 — Sunday, Sept. 9: PITTSBURGH, 6:20 p.m. MDT (NBC)
• Week 2 — Monday, Sept. 17: at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
• Week 3 — Sunday, Sept. 23: HOUSTON, 2:05 p.m. MDT (CBS)
• Week 4 — Sunday, Sept. 30: OAKLAND, 2:05 p.m. MDT (CBS)
• Week 5 — Sunday, Oct. 7: at New England, 4:15 p.m. EDT (CBS)
• Week 6 — Monday, Oct. 15: at San Diego, 5:30 p.m. PDT (ESPN)
• Week 7 — Sunday, Oct. 21: BYE
• Week 8 — Sunday, Oct. 28: NEW ORLEANS, 6:20 p.m. MDT (NBC)
• Week 9 — Sunday, Nov. 4: at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)
• Week 10 — Sunday, Nov. 11: at Carolina, 1 p.m. EST (CBS)
• Week 11 — Sunday, Nov. 18: SAN DIEGO, 2:15 p.m. MST* (CBS)
• Week 12 — Sunday, Nov. 25: at Kansas City, 12 p.m. CST* (CBS)
• Week 13 — Sunday, Dec. 2: TAMPA BAY, 2:05 p.m. MST* (Fox)
• Week 14 — Thursday, Dec. 6: at Oakland, 5:20 p.m. PST (NFLN)
• Week 15 — Sunday, Dec. 16: at Baltimore, 1 p.m. EST* (CBS)
• Week 16 — Sunday, Dec. 23: CLEVELAND, 2:05 p.m. MST* (CBS)
• Week 17 — Sunday, Dec. 30: KANSAS CITY, 2:15 p.m. MST* (CBS)

*: subject to change per the NFL’s flexible-scheduling policy.

After 14 years, Peyton Manning isn't the type who'll get fazed over a difficult schedule with some rough patches; when you've succeeded as much -- and seen as much -- as he has, everything's A-OK. (PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / MAXDENVER.COM)

After 14 years, Peyton Manning isn’t the type who’ll get fazed over a difficult schedule with some rough patches; when you’ve succeeded as much — and seen as much — as he has, everything’s A-OK. (PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / MAXDENVER.COM)