The Denver Broncos could be in line for a breakout season as a team in 2020. Here are seven predictions for Denver in 2020.
The Denver Broncos 2020 season is poised to be the most compelling in some time. There are sure to be storylines that we saw coming and some that shock us.
Prediction number one?
Drew Lock will throw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Drew Lock has all of the physical tools necessary to be a top-flight quarterback in the league. Now he has the weapons to show out.
Lock played well with a conservative play-caller, injuries up and down the offensive line, and limited receiving options. Now imagine what he may do with a more verticle focused and aggressive play-caller in Pat Shurmur.
When asked what Lock thinks of the new offensive scheme he said,
"“I think with this offense, there’s definitely more of the possibility on just regular downs— not actually full play-action, to throw it deep. There’s more possibilities for us to press the ball downfield, which I think definitely plays into my strengths and will play into (the strengths of) the receivers that we have on this team now.” (quotes via Broncos PR)"
In 2020, the Broncos now have a triple-threat at wide receiver in Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler. Now toss in Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam at tight end, and Melvin Gordon with Phillip Lindsay out of the backfield and watch out.
You add all of those pieces along with a schedule filled high flying offenses, and Lock will be playing like the franchise quarterback may hope he can be.
Melvin Gordon & Phillip Lindsay go off
The second prediction, Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay will finish the season with over 2,000 combined rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The duo will also chip in over 900 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns.
Outside of Phillip Lindsay, the Broncos have not had a consistent or impactful runner in the last two seasons. Enter Melvin Gordan and the Broncos will have over 2,000 yards rushing among their top two backs.
Though Shurmer has not had a long history of utilizing two backs, he also has not had two backs the caliber of Lindsay and Gordon. The two will have plenty of opportunities to milk the clock this season
Also, look for the Broncos to utilize the contrasting styles of each player to exploit matchups. Gordon is a much more established pass catcher and will be utilized often in the screen game with Shurmer behind the play call sheet.
However, don’t discount Linsday’s ability to break off long gains with his speed. The Broncos’ previous offensive coordinator did not utilize Linsday much in the screen game, and if Shurmur does, look for Lindsay to contribute some big plays.
3. Elijah Wilkinson beats Garett Bolles for LT
The third prediction is that Elijah Wilkinson will win the left tackle job in camp…and hold it all season.
Elijah seems to be a Munchak favorite and has been told he will compete for the left tackle job with incumbent starter Garett Bolles when camp opens.
The Broncos believe in Wilkinson enough that the team did not draft a tackle with any of their 10 picks. Wilkinson is not the athlete Bolles is, but he’s steadier and offers much more consistent technique. The predictability Wilkinson offers will earn him the job throughout the season.
The Broncos may bring in a veteran tackle to compete with Wilkinson which may make this production a bit dicier…but nonetheless true. Until that addition is made if at all, look for Wilkinson to take control of the job.
4. Jeudy leads the way in catches, Sutton in yardage, TDs
The fourth prediction, Jerry Jeudy will lead the team in catches… but Courtland Sutton will lead the team in yards and touchdowns.
Jerry Jeudy is a human cheat code. His technical route-running skills at the age of 21 are mind-boggling. He will be a Lock favorite on third down and provide Sutton with a Robin to his Batman.
Jeudy’s ability to work out of the slot will also create extra underneath options to rack up catch totals.
However, Sutton is a YAC machine and a true 70-30 jump ball threat in the red zone. Sutton will and can create big plays from anywhere on the field. Look for Lock to target Sutton when a big play is needed.
As we saw last year, the Pro-Bowler delivered when he was needed most.
5. Von Miller & Bradley Chubb show out
The fifth prediction is that Bradley Chubb and Von Miller will combine for 28 sacks and both earn a trip to the Pro Bowl.
In 2018, Miller sacked the quarterback 14.5 times and saw a drop in 2019 to just 8 sacks. Though Miller’s impact did not show up in the stat sheet, he was a constant force throughout the season. Often facing double and triple-teams without the presence of Chubb.
Chubb was lost for the year early in the season and saw his sack total drop from 12 in 2018 to one in his injury-shortened 2019. Chubb was not offered a Pro Bowl nod at the end of the 2018 season.
Expect all of that to change as Chubb will challenge for Comeback Player of the year and will be recognized at the end of the 2020 campaign.
The duo struggled to start the 2019 season before Chubb was injured. Look for a resurgence from the dynamic duo as Chubb will surprise some with the quality of his play upon return from injury while Miller will thrive with having his partner back.
6. The Broncos will challenge KC
The sixth prediction is that the Broncos will challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the division heading in the final weeks of the season but fall short.
The Broncos are poised to push the AFC status quo with their offseason additions and emergency of young players such as Lock, Sutton, and Lindsay.
The Broncos will play strongly into the end of the season but will come up just short in challenging the Chiefs for the AFC crown.
The Chiefs return almost all of their starters from a Super Bowl-winning team from a season ago.
7. The Broncos are playoff-bound
Though the Broncos lose out on the division this team will make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2015. To double down on the prediction, the Broncos will not only make the playoffs in 2020 but will win one playoff game.
Though there is plenty of optimism facing the Broncos this year, it is warranted. The Broncos finished with a 7-5 record after an 0-5 start.
With the presumed improvement from the Broncos young core of Lock, Sutton, and Fant along with a return to health for Bradley Chubb and Bryce Callahan with key offseason additions, the Broncos are primed to challenge for a playoff spot in 2020.
The addition of an additional playoff spot in each conference only increases the likelihood of the broncos reaching the tournament this season.
Once a team gets in, anything can happen. If this team gets a rolling look for them to earn the 5 or 6 seed and avoid the Chiefs or Ravens in the first round.
Outside of the Ravens, Chiefs, and maybe healthy Roethlisberger with a solid Steelers defense, there is not another team on paper that the Broncos may not be favored to beat.