2010 Broncos schedule breakdown

The Broncos will open the 2010 season at Jacksonville, the sixth straight season the Broncos have opened on the road, according to the schedule released Tuesday.

Denver is the fifth team since 1990 and the first since Indianapolis from 2000-06 to play at least six straight season openers on the road.

The Broncos got only one primetime game — a reflection of four straight seasons without a playoff appearance.

They’ll play on “Monday Night Football” at San Diego on Nov. 22. Denver has had at least one appearance on “Monday Night Football” for 19 straight years.

Every game in Week 17 will be a divisional matchup, and the Broncos get their rematch against the reigning division champion Chargers to finish the season on Jan. 2.

A week by week look at the Broncos' 2010 schedule:

Week 1, Sept. 12, at Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

The Broncos open the season on the road for the sixth straight year, the fifth team since 1990 to do so and the first since Indianapolis from 2000-06.

Week 2, Sept. 19, vs. Seattle, 2:05 p.m.

Denver’s home opener comes against a Seahawks team that struggled in 2009 and has a new coach in Pete Carroll.

Week 3, Sept 26, vs. Indianapolis, 2:15 p.m.

A tough four-week stretch starts with Peyton Manning and the defending AFC champs.

Week 4, Oct. 3, at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

The Titans finished last season strong. Chris Johnson, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2009, will test Denver’s defense.

Week 5, Oct. 10, at Baltimore, 11 a.m.

Baltimore roughed up Denver after the Broncos’ 6-0 start, and that started Denver’s downfall.

Week 6, Oct. 17, vs. NY Jets, 2:05 p.m.

The Jets are another strong, physical team. They made the AFC title game last year.  

Week 7, Oct. 24, vs. Oakland, 2:15 p.m.

The Broncos’ first division game doesn’t come until late October. Last year, the Raiders won at Denver.

Week 8, Oct. 31, at San Francisco (at London), 11 a.m.

Denver’s first regular-season game overseas was scheduled weeks ago.

Week 9, Bye

Week 10, Nov. 14, vs. Kansas City, 2:05 p.m.

The Broncos’ late season swoon was finished off by a struggling Chiefs team in the finale, led by running back Jamaal Charles’ huge game.

Week 11, Nov. 22, at San Diego (Monday night), 6:30 p.m.

This is Denver’s only scheduled primetime game. It extends Denver’s “Monday Night Football” streak to 19 straight years.

Week 12, Nov. 28, vs. St. Louis, 2:15 p.m.

The Rams were the worst team in the NFL last year, so this is a must win before a long road stretch.

Week 13, Dec. 5, at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

Denver wasn’t fazed by a late-season trip to Arrowhead Stadium last year, but this game is usually tough for the Broncos.

Week 14, Dec. 12, at Arizona, 2:15 p.m.

The best thing about a late-season three-game road trip is the final two games aren’t in cold-weather locations.

Week 15, Dec. 19, at Oakland, 2:15 p.m.

The road trip ends in Oakland. The Broncos used to depend on a sweep of the Raiders, but the series has been more competitive.

Week 16, Dec. 26, vs. Houston, 2:05 p.m.

The Broncos hope that they’re still in the playoff race with two games left against teams that also might be in the hunt.

Week 17, Jan. 2, vs. San Diego, 2:15 p.m.

The Chargers-Broncos rivalry has been heating up. The finale should be fun if it means something for both teams.