Hope springs eternal in Tim Tebow’s world.

Ever the optimist, the Broncos quarterback said the offense made “strides” this week in practice, working on timing, precision, and everything else that is essential to being competitive in the NFL.  He better be right.  Otherwise, those still reveling from the emotional high of Denver’s overtime win against the Dolphins could be in for a sobering wakeup call Sunday.

The Detroit Lions will have none of it.

Detroit has dropped two straight games after a scorching 5-0 start, and wants nothing more than to right the ship heading into a bye week.  On paper, Denver is the perfect opportunity. 

You may be thinking, “On paper?  But with Tim Tebow on the field, what’s ‘on paper’ doesn’t exactly matter.”

You’re right…to a point.

Perhaps more importantly is how the Broncos handle Tebow.  The onus is on offensive coordinator Mike McCoy – and John Fox to a lesser extent – to make set adjustments to cater to Tebow’s style by exploiting his strengths and concealing his weaknesses.

Right now, this is still an offense designed for a traditional pocket-passer (i.e. Kyle Orton).  For whatever reason, McCoy is seemingly reluctant to make many (any?) revisions to Denver’s offensive schemes.

The result?  Ultra-conservative play-calling for 3.5 quarters against Miami.

It was only when the Broncos were down 15 points in the mid-late 4th quarter we saw any offensive excitement, and then, it was only by necessity – the necessity of mounting a comeback.  Funny how a guarded game plan is abandoned in times of desperation?

But did you see what that abandoned game plan accomplished?  A victory.

Cautious play-calling doesn’t benefit Tebow.  It doesn’t benefit his offense, either.  The Broncos need to play to win from the 1st quarter, not the 4th.  When the Broncos tried using Tebow as a kind-of quarterback nothing jelled.  When Tebow had to start throwing the ball late in the game his accuracy improved, and so did the entire team.  Denver’s coaches need to demonstrate faith (no pun intended) in their quarterback to make the quick reads and quick throws from the first offensive series.

That doesn’t mean the Broncos should shelve the running game.  In fact, quite the contrary.  With Willis McGahee out Sunday, it’s up to Knowshon Moreno, and likely Lance Ball, to make things happen.  Remember, the consensus is that if Moreno doesn’t show something this season, he’s likely at best a role player for the rest of his career.

The timing, at least for Moreno, couldn’t be better.  The Lions run defense ranks 28th in the NFL.  Moreno isn’t a between-the-hashmarks type of runner, so to make a real impact, he’ll need to find the sideline or continue to develop his catch-and-run game.  Ball’s running style is closer to McGahee, so if the Broncos offensive line creates a hole, Ball can get, say, six yards per carry.

A decent showing by Denver’s offense will be the defense’s best friend.  If – and I keep using that word – the Broncos’ offense can score on long, sustained, ground-first drives, it not only keeps the defense fresh, it the Lions’ offense on the sidelines, which brings me to:

The Broncos coaching staff is losing sleep over…

This one’s easy: Calvin Johnson.  Champ Bailey will have the “honors” of covering Megatron, who’s easily the best wide receiver the Broncos will face all year, and arguably the best receiver in the NFL.  Lions QB Matthew Stafford is gimpy, but should play, but even if Shaun Hill gets the nod, Johnson will see many passes come his way.  He’ll catch those passes, too.  Because he’s that good.

There’s no way to take Johnson out of the game, other than physically taking him out of the game.  No, not by hurting him, but keeping the Lions offense on the sidelines where it belongs.

Matchup That Could Be Crucial or Insignificant

Crucial matchups?  How about a plethora, but one that could also be insignificant?  I’m drawing a blank here.  This game is all about matchups.

Final Score: Detroit 31, Denver 17

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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The Denver Post: Demaryius Thomas wants to become an elite wide receiver in the NFL.

The Denver Post: Former Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd is speaking out on Tim Tebow.

DenverBroncos.com: Champ Bailey will have his hands full Sunday, as will Detroit Lions menacing Calvin Johnson.

DenverBroncos.com: Q & A with former Broncos great John Lynch.

Yahoo! Sports: Tim Tebow will face a whole new set of challenges against the Lions’ defense.

Yahoo! Sports: Five “forgettable” moments in Broncos history.

KMGH: Update on the Ryan McBean stalking case.

Sporting News: Rookie safety Rahim Moore is seeing a reduced role.

Fox Sports: Former NFL player Ron Holmes, who once played for the Broncos, has died at the age of 48.

SkySports: The legend of Tim Tebow is set to skyrocket…if the Broncos can beat favored Detroit.

Daily Tribune: Sunday’s return to Denver will be bittersweet for ex-Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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In Part II of Aerys Huddle, Aerys Sports NFL writers discuss offense coordinator/quarterback relationships, “Suck for Luck,” team performance through Week 7, and the Raiders apparent desperation for Carson Palmer.

The Denver Post: The “must watch” matchup in Sunday’s game?  Champ Bailey and Calvin Johnson.

The Denver Post: Willis McGahee missed Thursday’s practice, all but assuring he’s out Sunday against Detroit.

Yahoo! Sports: A fan’s take on Tim Tebow’s role at Broncos’ starting quarterback.

MLive.com: Von Miller does it all for the Broncos.

USA Today: Previewing Week 8 for fantasy football team owners.

Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears reportedly try out a former Bronco Darcel McBath.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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It was news that may have been difficult for many Broncos fans to hear: offers will be entertained for WR Brandon Lloyd.  Number 84 has become the brightest offensive star in the past two years.  His magnificent, often jaw-dropping play has made it extremely clear that dumping Brandon Marshall was a fundamentally great decision.  So why now would the Denver Broncos send his talents elsewhere?

After viewing Sunday's docket of games, there are some teams that could use Brandon Lloyd...not that I want that to happen. (personal photo)

Well, because Brandon Lloyd may be the only Denver Bronco to occupy a very strange space.  He’s elite enough to command actual value in a trade, but happens to play a position that is a) not directly tied to the team’s structural integrity, and b) in reality…quite fillable.

Lloyd in all fairness is not an elite wide receiver.  He’s an extremely good wide receiver.  He can make plays, and has demonstrated that any ball thrown in his general vicinity is catchable.  There’s always a market for guys like that.

Ideally Lloyd remains with the Broncos, and situations shift enough after the season to allow management to make Lloyd an offer that’s fair to him, and to the team.  However, Sunday’s games revealed a fair amount of teams which, after watching game film on Monday, may be looking to deal on Tuesday morning, if not before.

Here’s a look at teams reportedly interested…those that should be…and a surprise suggestion.

Contenders – the known teams

St. Louis – At 0-5 you have to include the Rams in this conversation.  That, and because The Denver Post reports the Rams have expressed interest.  With Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, a trade for Brandon Lloyd makes the most sense for this team.  A big reason why the NFL trade deadline never amounts to much is because it takes players too long to learn, and then effectively insert themselves, in a new team’s scheme.  McDaniels knows Lloyd, and Lloyd knows McDaniels.  Albeit, Brandon Lloyd deserves far better.

San Francisco – Through Week 6, the 49ers are exactly two wins away from equalling the Seahawks record a season ago – to win the NFC West.  While it’s too-soon-to-call, based on the performances of fellow divisional teams, the 49ers could be in playoff cruise control by mid-November, but here’s the thing: San Francisco ranks 30th in the league in passing yards.  That hasn’t been a problem yet, but knowing league tendencies, it certainly could be.  Defenses will get the memo and know the crowd the box to slow the 49ers 5th ranked rushing game.

New England – Of course the Patriots have entered the mix.

Carolina – Ron Rivera has already denied any interest in Lloyd.  Wonder if another close game (that turned into a not-so-close final score by the end) will sway this decision?  It’s obvious the Panthers offense needs some better pieces to compliment Steve Smith and Cam Newton if its going to finally break through and win a game.

Tennessee – Mentioned with Carolina last week as being one of the “three or four” teams interested in Lloyd, there hasn’t been much noise since.  Remember, the Titans lost No. 1 receiver Kenny Britt because of a clean Von Miller hit last month.  With Nate Washington now Alpha Receiver, the Titans could use some depth, especially if Tennessee wants to challenge in the AFC South.

Makes Some Sense – the “should be interesteds”

Houston – Andre Johnson will return, but even then he’s still the only solid weapon the Texans have at receiver.  Owen Daniels is a weapon at tight end, but 2011 is the window for the Texans.  The Colts are down, the Jags are even slightly less mediocre than normal, and so that leaves the Titans.  A Johnson-Lloyd combo likely seals the deal for Gary Kubiak’s first division title.

Out of Left Field…but think about it

Detroit Lions – They have arguably the most dominant wide receiver in football right now.  They have one of the top-tier tight ends in Brandon Pettigrew, and that’s about it.  Nate Burleson is adequate.  Brandon Lloyd is better.  Titus Young is developing.  Brandon Lloyd is hitting his peak.  Sure, you don’t want to mess with team chemistry and personnel when you have a good thing going, but with good draft management both behind and ahead, the Lions could gain much from Lloyd.  Despite their impressive record, Detroit still needs more firepower if the Lions are going to have a shot at hanging with Green Bay.

Come Wednesday, if not before, we’ll know a lot more about where the Broncos are headed in the immediate, and more distant future.  If Brandon Lloyd has to leave, there will still be a lot of Denver fans wishing him the best…until he has to play the Broncos.