With the schedule out later this month, let’s see just what we are getting into here.
Every year when the schedule comes out, I have the habit of myopically over-estimating the number of wins the Denver Broncos will notch in the upcoming season. Whether it’s my hopes for a great season or the Broncos finding new ways to disappoint, it seems, I am most always wrong. So, in the spirit of getting things off to an early start, here is my totally wrong and totally early record projection for 2024.
First, let’s start with the AFC West.
Los Angeles Chargers
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I don’t doubt that hiring a Harbaugh brother was a watershed moment for this franchise. However, it’s going to take awhile to turn things around. Even with a Harbaugh, this is still the Chargers and they are committed to underperforming and disappointing their fans. Chargers gonna Charger, and I believe the Broncos will sweep them this year.
RECORD: 2-0
Las Vegas Raiders
Despite being a dumpster-dwelling franchise, the Raiders have had great recent success beating the Broncos. However, in case you missed it, the Raiders did not draft a quarterback during the 2024 draft. Going into the season with Gardner Minshew, Aiden O’Connell, Anthony Brown, Jr., and Carter Bradley under center is a bold move, just not a smart one. At the very least, the Broncos split, but in the spirit of way too early and wrong predictions, let’s say the Broncos sweep their only division rival without a true starter at quarterback.
RECORD: 4-0
Kansas City Chiefs
The damn dirty Chiefs. In the spirit of being optimistic and totally wrong, I’m going to say that the Broncos will build on their long-awaited victory over the Chiefs in 2023. Since there is zero chance that the Broncos will sweep the AFC West, I see at least one loss to KC this season. It’s not that the Chiefs are that good, it’s that the NFL loves themselves the Chiefs so much that an officials thumb will be the deciding factor in dealing the Broncos at least one loss.
RECORD: 5-1
Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson to Jerry Jeudy… for a 5-yard loss. That’s not nice, I know. Watson will likely be injured by the time Denver welcomes them to town and so it’ll be late in the season when people hear that, if at all. The Browns have beaten the Broncos twice since 1990 and I just don’t see them racking up another victory over Denver this season.
RECORD: 6-1
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oh, how the schedule release shows will highlight Russell Wilson’s return to Denver with his new team. Even at my most optimistic, I can’t underestimate the Broncos ability to lose to former players. If history in any gauge, Wilson will have a career day throwing for 380-yards and 4-touchdowns. Of course, he’ll be hot garbage against everyone else, but the Broncos will go out of their way to ensure that Wilson has a career day, just like they do with every other former player. The home crowd at Mile High will be less than thrilled with Wilson’s performance… again.
RECORD: 6-2
Atlanta Falcons
It’s taking great restraint not to make off-color Penix jokes this early into the season. I get that Kirk Cousins will be the starter, but this whole quarterback thing is going to be a huge mess for them. I think Denver gets this one, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they fell flat. This has all the makings of a game that the Broncos should win, but don’t – enraging all of Broncos Country. For now, though, let’s say they get it.
RECORD: 7-2
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young and Andy Dalton, even with the sum of their parts, don’t equal a competent quarterback. Factor in a loony-toon owner exerting extreme doofus energy into the day-to-day operations, there is no way the Broncos don’t smoke the Panthers. If I’m Sean Payton, I have this game circled as a definitive win.
RECORD: 8-2
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have quietly gotten better and better over the last couple seasons. They’re a team seemingly on the rise in 2024 and I just can’t see Denver getting out of its own way to beat them. Expect former Broncos WR Tyrie Cleveland to have an anomalous 5-touchdown day. Like I said, the Broncos love to make former Broncos look good on their new teams.
RECORD: 8-3
Baltimore Ravens
The Broncos are going to get their ass beat in the worst way by Baltimore. The Ravens always play Denver tough, but the talent gap this year between the two teams is pretty substantial. Factor in that this game is in Baltimore and it will be a beating even worse than thought.
RECORD: 8-4
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are tough, but they always seem to give opportunities to the Broncos to win. I suspect they will continue doing so and give the Broncos another win this season… probably late in the season… in a game that will cost the Broncos valuable draft position in 2025… But a win is a win and the Broncos get it against the Bengals.
RECORD: 9-4
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Does Baker Mayfield scare you? Me neither. Denver has every opportunity to win this game, but I have a nagging feeling that the Broncos will disappoint. This game has all the makings of an early-season loss. The league loves to put the Broncos in Florida in the early September heat, and this year will be no different. The Broncos lose this game that they should win.
RECORD: 9-5
New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton returns to the city he called home. You know he wants to get this one worse than any game on the schedule, even though he may publicly downplay its importance. Denver gets this one decisively.
RECORD: 10-5
Seattle Seahawks
Like the Raiders, the Seahawks don’t seem to have a functional quarterback on the roster. Despite what Seahawks fans want you to believe, Geno Smith isn’t the answer and Sam Howell is not the cavalry coming to save them. In their first matchup in years not involving Russell Wilson, the Broncos find a way to disappoint everyone with a tie.
RECORD: 10-5-1
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett together at last?! The hapless Jets will find a way to rally around their doofus offensive coordinator and award him another game ball for another win over the Broncos (before being fired for gross incompetence). The Broncos hit the trifecta for making this former coach an all-world winner. Rodgers barely survives the Denver defense.
RECORD: 10-6-1
The Broncos are a playoff team based on these results? It looks that way, but we all know it’s going to be at least another year before there’s anything to get excited about in January. Heck, so long as it’s mildly interesting in November, I’ll consider the season a success. There’s no way the Broncos win double-digit games this year, but stranger things have happened. Denver loses games it should easily win and win games it has no business doing so. I’m not going to say it will be fun to see how this season shakes out, but it will be interesting… and likely frustrating.
HEADLINES
Apparently, Sean Payton and the Broncos Stole a UDFA from the Vikings
Apparently, Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos stole a UDFA from the Minnesota Vikings.
J.J. Watt leaves door open for return if Texans ‘absolutely need it’
Texans legend J.J. Watt is leaving the door open on a potential return to the NFL if head coach DeMeco Ryans sees it as necessary entering the 2024 season.
NFL draft grades, NFC South: Saints and Buccaneers land SOLID hauls; Falcons make baffling pick at No. 8
Did the Buccaneers just tighten their grip on the divisional crown? Is the Saints’ top-heavy talent haul a winner? How much did the Panthers help Bryce Young? And what exactly is the Falcons’ process? Gennaro Filice provides draft grades for each NFC Sout
Seahawks sign Buddha Jones after minicamp tryout – NBC Sports
Defensive tackle Buddha Jones took part in the Seahawks’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and the team saw enough to keep him around for a longer stretch.
Ravens turned down eight trade offers before drafting Nate Wiggins at No. 30 – NBC Sports
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta knows the value of trading down in the NFL draft and getting additional picks, but he saw more value in cornerback Nate Wiggins.
Howie Roseman on Saquon Barkley: Risk in every decision, but no risk on talent – NBC Sports
Teams have often avoided making big investments in veteran running backs in recent seasons, but the Eagles went the other way in free agency this year.
Ex-Browns, Texans RB Duke Johnson retires after 8 seasons in NFL – ESPN
Duke Johnson announced his retirement Sunday after playing eight seasons in the NFL.
Jordan Travis thinks about being Jets’ QB of future ‘a lot,’ but focus is on getting healthy, better
Jets rookie Jordan Travis, whose college career at Florida State ended with a broken leg in November, is still recovering with an eye on returning for training camp. After that, he’ll look to prove himself worthy as New York’s eventual QB of the future.
NFL draft grades, AFC West: Chargers ace test; Broncos, Chiefs nail biggest needs
Did any team in the division do a better job of finding value than the Chargers? Did the Broncos reach for their QB? Nick Shook provides 2024 NFL Draft grades for each AFC West team.
Bob Avellini, quarterback who teamed with Walter Payton to lead Bears to 1977 playoffs, dies at 70
Bob Avellini, the former Chicago quarterback who teamed with Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton to lead the Bears to the 1977 playoffs, died Saturday. He was 70.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman: Adding Saquon Barkley was ‘way to zig when everyone’s zagging’
The Eagles capitalized on the running back market, still making Saquon Barkley the top money-getter of the 2024 class of free-agent RBs on a per-year average, but nonetheless added a game-changing figure at an easily manageable price tag.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login