Jacob Dunne | May 14th, 2020
For the first time in five years, the Denver Broncos have a legitimate reason to be optimistic. Ever since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset following the Super Bowl 50 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2016, the Broncos have been STRUGGLING to find an answer at quarterback.
The Broncos have made a lot of moves over the last two offseasons that should inspire confidence and optimism heading into the 2020-2021 NFL season. No move was more important than the 42nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft – Drew Lock.
Drew Lock is the ultimate wildcard for the Broncos heading into this season. He took over as the starting quarterback in Week 13 last season and went 4-1 the rest of the way. Can he carry that momentum into next season? Can he adjust when defenses figure him out? With the help of Courtland Sutton along with rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, the Broncos will go as far as Drew Lock takes them.
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Is predicting a team’s wins and losses this early in the offseason a foolish exercise? Yes. Am I still going to do it? Absolutely. Let’s dive in!
Week 1 – Mon 09/14 – 8:10 PM MDT
Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans
The Broncos kick off their season in style, hosting Derrick Henry and the Titans at home on Monday night. Both Ryan Tannehill and Lock will be out to prove that their 2019 late-season success wasn’t a fluke. This game will come down to the run game with the Broncos edging them out with a late field goal by Brandon McManus.
Prediction: Broncos 24 – Titans 21
Week 2 – Sun 09/20 – 11:00 AM MDT
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will host the Broncos on Sunday morning in Pittsburgh. Morning games haven’t been too kind to the Broncos over the past few years. Big Ben connects with JuJu Smith-Schuster for two touchdowns as the Steelers get the job done at home.
Prediction: Broncos 20 – Steelers 27
Week 3 – Sun 09/27 – 2:25 PM MDT
Denver Broncos vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Or should I call them the “TOMpa” Bay Buccaneers? Brady will have had two weeks to get acclimated to his new teammates, which doesn’t bode well for the Broncos defense. Buccaneers win on a last-second field goal by Matt Gay.
Prediction: Broncos 20 – Buccaneers 23
Week 4 – Thu 10/01 – 6:20 PM MDT
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Up-and-comers Sam Darnold and Lock face-off in New York. The Jets take an early lead, but the Broncos slowly wear them down and win by double digits.
Prediction: Broncos 27 – Jets 16
Week 5 – Sun 10/11 – 11:00 AM MDT
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Playing in Foxborough has always been a tough assignment for the Broncos dating back to 2001 when Tom Brady took over as the starter. For the first time in 20 years, this offense should be easier to contain. The Broncos take an early lead and never look back.
Prediction: Broncos 24 – Patriots 13
Week 6 – Sun 10/18 – 2:05 PM MDT
Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins
Will it be Tua Tagovailoa or Ryan Fitzpatrick starting for the Miami Dolphins? Regardless, the Broncos will take full advantage of an inexperienced Dolphins team and cruise to an easy victory.
Prediction: Broncos 31 – Dolphins 17
Week 7 – Sun 10/25 – 2:25 PM MDT
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs
Will the mile-high altitude be enough to slow down Patrick Mahomes? Probably not, but the Broncos spent their first two draft picks on wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler just to keep up with the Chiefs. The Broncos upset the reigning Super Bowl champions at home.
Prediction: Broncos 31 – Chiefs 30
Week 8 – BYE
Week 9 – Sun 11/08 – 11:00 AM MST
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons
The Broncos have to fly across the country for a morning game against a quarterback who’s LETHAL at home. Drew Lock keeps it close for most of the game, but Matt Ryan and Julio Jones pull away in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Broncos 24 – Falcons 30
Week 10 – Sun 11/15 – 2:05 PM MST
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
The Broncos travel to Las Vegas for the first time to face Derek Carr and the Raiders. This will be a frustrating game for Broncos fans. The Raiders will hold Drew Lock and the passing game in check for most of the game. An overtime field goal by Brandon McManus will seal the victory on the road.
Prediction: Broncos 24 – Raiders 21
Week 11 – Sun 11/22 – 2:05 PM MST
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers
The last time the Broncos faced the Chargers without Philip Rivers was 2003. Let that sink in. It will be Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert under center for the Chargers. Chris Harris Jr. returns to Denver for the first time as a Charger and plays well, but it won’t be enough to overtake the Broncos.
Prediction: Broncos 28 – Chargers 17
Week 12 – Sun 11/29 – 2:05 PM MST
Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints
One of the most prolific quarterbacks of our era, Drew Brees comes to town to face-off against the Broncos. The Broncos stifle Brees, but Alvin Kamara finishes with 100-plus yards through the air as the Saints defeat the Broncos. Lock throws up a last-second hail-mary as time expires, but it gets picked off.
Prediction: Broncos 20 – Saints 26
Week 13 – Sun 12/06 – 6:20 PM MST
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
As great as Denver has been playing up to this point, the Chiefs make a statement in Arrowhead after losing to the Broncos earlier in the season. Mahomes throws for 300-plus yards en route to a two-touchdown victory over the Broncos.
Prediction: Broncos 20 – Chiefs 34
Week 14 – Sun 12/13 – 11:00 AM MST
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
Stopping Christian McCaffrey will be Denver’s prime focus as they travel to Charlotte. The Broncos will spend the game stacking the box against McCaffrey forcing Teddy Bridgewater to make plays. The Broncos defense will get the better of Bridgewater and win this game by two touchdowns.
Prediction: Broncos 30 – Panthers 16
Week 15 – TBD
Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills
This game will be a GRIND. Both punters should have busy days as each offense struggles to get going. This game could go either way, but the home-field advantage will give the Broncos a boost late in the game.
Prediction: Broncos 20 – Bills 17
Week 16 – TBD
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
Melvin Gordon makes his much-anticipated return to Los Angeles. He totals 100-plus yards through the ground and air, but the Chargers get their revenge and take the second game of the series in Los Angeles.
Prediction: Broncos 22 – Chargers 27
Week 17 – Sun 01/03 – 2:25 PM MST
Denver Broncos vs Las Vegas Raiders
Despite last week’s loss, the Broncos clinched a playoff berth. Hoping for a higher seed, all the starters play. Drew Lock and the Broncos’ offense play inspired football as they dominate and lock up the fifth seed before heading into the playoffs.
Prediction: Broncos 41 – Raiders 24
Denver Broncos Record Prediction: 10-6
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