A must-win game in Week 2?
Really?
It is when the schedule shows the Denver Broncos will likely be underdogs in weeks 3-6.
The Broncos (0-1) host the Seattle Seahawks (1-0) on Sunday, followed by games against the Indianapolis Colts, at the Tennessee Titans, at the Baltimore Ravens and against the New York Jets.
The Broncos, who have won an NFL-high 10 straight home openers, are an NFL-best 23-3 in home openers since 1984.
Denver lost at Jacksonville 24-17 in Week 1 and relinquished a chance to open the season 2-0 before entering the toughest stretch of their schedule. The Broncos opened 6-0 in 2009, but finished 8-8.
The Broncos bolstered their running game Tuesday when they acquired Laurence Maroney from the New England Patriots. Denver sent a 2011 fourth-round draft pick to New England for Maroney and a sixth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Maroney, who is in the final year of his contract, is expected to share the load with Knowshon Moreno, although Maroney is battling a thigh injury.
It is unclear whether Maroney, the 21st overall pick in the 2006 draft, will play Sunday.
Moreno gained 60 yards on 15 carries against Jacksonville. He missed all four preseason games with a hamstring injury.
The Broncos could be challenged by a Seahawks’ defense which kept the 49ers out of the end zone and held San Francisco to 48 yards rushing en route to a 38-6 victory in Week 1.
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton, who is 19-5 at home in his career, was 21-of-33 for 295 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, although his late interception near midfield sealed the victory for the Jaguars.
His favorite targets were Eddie Royal (8 catches, 98 yards) and Brandon Lloyd (5-117), although his touchdown pass went to Jabar Gaffney. Royal (groin) was among three players who did not practice Wednesday.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll returned to the NFL for the first time since 1999 after a successful run as coach at Southern Cal, where he won two national championships. Prior to Southern Cal, Carroll was 33-31 in four seasons with the New England Patriots (three seasons) and the New York Jets.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for two touchdowns and ran for another against the 49ers. The Seahawks rushed for only 77 yards as Justin Forsett, Julius Jones and Leon Washington shared the work.
Seattle, which was 1-7 on the road in 2009, won the last meeting, 23-20 in 2006 to snap a six-game losing streak at Denver.