3. Tim Patrick’s return

Under current league rules, teams are permitted to bring back two players that are placed on injured reserve per season. The Broncos used one of those spots on Patrick, so there is something the team really wants to see in him, particularly when you consider that Lock and Theo Riddick are also on injured reserve.

One of those two will end up not playing a down for the team this season.

With Patrick, the Broncos will have a big wide receiver duo to throw the ball to with he and Courtland Sutton on the field together.

4. The Kubiak factor

Not too long ago, the Broncos hired Vic Fangio as the team’s new head coach and it sounded like Gary Kubiak, the team’s former head coach, was going to become the new offensive coordinator.

Those plans changed seemingly due to the fact that Kubiak wanted to bring in Rick Dennison as the offensive line coach and his own tight end coach with him. Denver’s front office didn’t want to bring back those other coaches and the team and Kubiak decided to part ways, likely for good.

Kubiak is now with the Vikings in the capacity of assistant head coach and offensive advisor. This could be one of those “circle the calendar” games where Kubiak wants to prove something against his former team.

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