Aside from rookie Ryan Torain's elbow injury, which will keep him out about two months, and center Tom Nalen's bad knee, the Broncos didn't suffer any serious injuries. And coming off a 7-9 season, Denver got some much-needed confidence by coming along quickly on offense and defense during training camp and the preseason.

After a short look at his team, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan went on a Denver radio station and predicted his team wouldn't miss the playoffs. He later said that injuries would be a big factor in his team's fortunes.

"I said, No. 1, you've got to be a little bit lucky, a little bit fortunate if you can keep healthy," Shanahan said. "In our two Super Bowl years we lost 10 starters (games to injury) one year and 15 starters the next year. Last year we lost 72. I've got some high expectations for this team, and hopefully we'll get there."

The players looked at it as a challenge, one that they felt up to.

"I look at it as him being confident," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "Obviously he knows we have a lot of work to get to that point, but right now I feel like we can make it too."

The Broncos might be a team that gets better as the season goes on, although their good preseason might mean they're further along than expected. The starting offense, which is filled with inexperienced talent, was sharp in every game, especially quarterback Jay Cutler. The young line came together quickly and other young players performed well right away.

Defensively the Broncos are learning a new scheme. The players and coaches were happy with the progress in picking up the new defense, which is now run by coordinator Bob Slowik, and the results were good in the preseason. The run defense was effective in the preseason, which was a positive sign because Denver was 30th in rushing yards allowed last year.

Even the special teams, which are very young, weren't much of an issue in the preseason. Kicker Matt Prater missed a couple of preseason kicks but overall had a very good camp and preseason.

The Broncos' first two games will be big, and they'll likely have to play both without receiver Brandon Marshall, who will be serving a suspension. Denver opens at Oakland, then comes home to face the defending AFC West champion Chargers.

Competing better against the Chargers is Denver's top challenge. The Broncos were blown out twice by San Diego last season, so the early-season game will be a good test of how far along they really are.

COACHING: Mike Shanahan, 16th year, 14th with Broncos (138-90).

REMEMBERING: 2007 record: 9-7 (2nd in AFC West)

PREDICTING: 2008 regular season record 7-9 (2nd in AFC West)