With the official release of the Denver Broncos’ 2021 schedule, it is time to make some predictions for the season. How will this team fare with a 17-game slate after going 5-11 in a very difficult 2020 season?
Week 1: @ New York Giants
Kicking off the 2021 NFL Season, the Denver Broncos will travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants.
These two teams are in similar situations in a few aspects, they both have a quarterback controversy, strong defenses, ties with Pat Shurmur, and losing records over the past few years.
While it has absolutely nothing to do with this matchup, they both had a Manning brother hoist the Lombardi for their respected franchise.
Actually, Eli was trying to get some intel before the schedule was released…
Stop bothering Peyton at work, @EliManning 😂 https://t.co/NHHiRuwGPe pic.twitter.com/x8PSexUPGS
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 13, 2021
Giants key 2021 additions
- WR Kenny Golladay
- WR Kadarius Toney
- TE Kyle Rudolph
- CB Adoreé Jackson
- EDGE Azeez Ojulari
Only one team can win, both can tie, but in the season opener, the Denver Broncos start strong on the road and outlast the New York “Football” Giants.
Prediction: Win (1-0)
Week 2: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
After a long road trip out east, the Denver Broncos head south to face rookie duo and former Clemson Tigers teammates Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, as well as rookie NFL head coach Urban Meyer.
Oh, also Tim Tebow!
Tebow, please keep the magic under wraps for this game.
Facing this young but talented Jaguars team early plays to the Broncos’ advantage. If I were a betting man, I’d say Head coach Vic Fangio stymies rookie phenom Trevor Lawrence (as he has many times before against rookie quarterbacks) with some exotic looks.
While some may argue that Meyer may bring a style of play that the Broncos may not be prepared for, let’s be honest, Fangio has seen just about everything.
Vic Fangio’s defense should create multiple turnovers in this bout, giving the Broncos’ offense plenty of chances to capitalize.
Jaguars key 2021 additions
- QB Trevor Lawrence
- RB Travis Etienne
- CB Shaquill Griffin
- CB Tyson Campbell
- DL Roy Robertson-Harris
Prediction: Win (2-0)
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Another favorable matchup for the Denver Broncos comes in the third week of the season which happens to be their 2021 home opener.
Not only do the Denver Broncos have the advantage of facing yet another rookie duo early on, this time they get to do so in their own stadium.
Much like the previous game, Robert Saleh and Zach Wilson will be young to this sort of responsibility. Saleh has proven to be a fantastic defensive coordinator, but being a head coach brings much more scrutiny and pressure. Vic Fangio can attest.
Wilson has also proven that he can be a fantastic quarterback, but this was also at the collegiate level. Going from the speed of the collegiate game to the profession is troublesome for even great players.
Peyton Manning, for example, led the NFL in interceptions his rookie season with 28. This record still stands to this day, but he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer now.
Fangio should be licking his chops looking at the early slate of games, facing two rookies and a question mark in Daniel Jones.
Another important thing to consider here is, this could be potentially the first time Empower Field has been at full capacity since the pandemic happened.
This stadium will be rocking; ultimately providing the Denver Broncos with another golden opportunity at victory.
Jets key 2021 additions
- QB Zach Wilson
- EDGE Carl Lawson
- WR Corey Davis
- OG Alijah Vera-Tucker
- DL Sheldon Rankins
- LB Jarrad Davis
Prediction: Win (3-0)
Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Coming off of a red hot start to the 2021 NFL season, the Denver Broncos run into their first real test, the Baltimore Ravens.
Former 2012 second-round pick Derek Wolfe will be returning back to the Mile High City for his very first game as a visitor. While I still support Wolfe and all of his endeavors, I hope he leaves Denver unhappy, just this one day.
Unlike the previous three matchups, the Broncos will be facing a former NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson. Along with the challenges facing a much more experienced team, the Ravens are definitely more talented also.
Jackson presents a dual-threat like no other, luckily Vic Fangio has the dogs on this defense to keep him in check.
Albeit a challenge, I think the Broncos being at home helps them pull this victory off. This would be the first time a Denver Broncos team has started off 4-0 since 2016.
Ravens key 2021 additions
- WR Rashod Bateman
- EDGE Odafe Oweh
- OL Kevin Zeitler
- OT Alejandro Villanueva
- WR Sammy Watkins
Prediction: Win (4-0)
Week 5: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Riding high after a strong victory over a legitimate playoff team in the Baltimore Ravens, could the Broncos topple another AFC North contender?
Familiar with one another, the Denver Broncos traveled to the Steel City in 2020. In this matchup, Broncos starting quarterback Drew Lock suffered an injury that not only sidelined him for this game, but a few weeks to come.
Under those circumstances, asking a wide receiver playing quarterback, Jeff Driskel, to beat one of the best defenses in the NFL on the road was a daunting task. Although Driskel gave it a good effort, the Denver Broncos’ comeback bid came up short.
Regardless if it is Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock playing in this particular game, I think the Steelers hand the Denver Broncos their first loss of the season here. This team is still very young and playing at Heinz Field can be difficult for any team. The Broncos won’t have the benefit this time of no terrible towels in the stands.
Steelers key 2021 additions
- RB Najee Harris
- TE Pat Freiermuth
Prediction: Loss (4-1)
Week 6: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
It’s Raiders week!
In 2020, the unthinkable happened. Las Vegas swept the Denver Broncos in one not-so-close matchup, and the other was decided on a succeeding two-point conversion from Derek Carr to stud tight end, Darren Waller.
At the end of the 2019 season, the Raiders actually lost on a failed two-point attempt. The best hands in the league — Shelby Harris — propelled the Denver Broncos to second place in the AFC West in that particular game.
In 2020, a long Jerry Jeudy touchdown should have sealed another week 17 victory for the Broncos, but it wasn’t to be.
While the Broncos ended up losing that game, it was good to see players like Jeudy finding his groove to close out the 2020 NFL Season.
In the first matchup with the division rival, I think the Denver Broncos, unfortunately, fall short. No need to panic, these sorts of hiccups happen with young teams. It would be better in my opinion to have this two-game skid early on rather than later in the season.
Raiders key 2021 additions
- OT Alex Leatherwood
- RB Kenyan Drake
- WR John Brown
- DE Yannick Ngakoue
- S Trevon Moehrig
- CB Casey Hayward
Prediction: Loss (4-2)
Week 7: @ Cleveland Browns
On the road again, the Denver Broncos will be traveling to face a rising and borderline elite team in the Cleveland Browns. Riding the talents of the two-headed monster at running back, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the Cleveland Browns will be a tough out for any team in 2021.
That being said, Baker Mayfield’s shoulders will dictate where this team goes in the end.
With a loaded defense, another solid draft class, and weapons surrounding Mayfield, this team is ready to compete now.
I’m not sure this Broncos team is on the Cleveland Browns’ level quite yet. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Browns being one of the final two teams in the AFC in 2021.
I’m predicting another tough loss here for the Denver Broncos. Cleveland is a tough matchup for anyone, especially on the road.
Shortly after a four-game winning streak, the Broncos are being faced with falling back to that unwanted .500 territory.
Browns key 2021 additions
- DE Jadeveon Clowney
- CB Greg Newsome
- S John Johnson
- CB Troy Hill
- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Prediction: Loss (4-3)
Week 8: vs. Washington Football Team
Time to regroup here if you are the Denver Broncos.
By reboot I mean, the veteran leadership in the locker room should call what is classified as a “players only” meeting.
Being such a young but talented team, having a strong mental and backbone could be the difference between seizing or squandering an obtainable opportunity.
As the team should buckle down, reset, and refocus, a win against a strong and potentially underrated Washington Football Team could right the ship.
That is exactly what the doctor ordered here, as the Denver Broncos handle the ferocious front of the Washington Football Team at home to get back on track after three straight losses.
Washington Football Team key 2021 additions
- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
- WR Curtis Samuel
- CB William Jackson III
- LB Jamin Davis
- LT Charles Leno Jr.
- LG Ereck Flowers
- OL Samuel Cosmi
Prediction: Win (5-3)
Week 9: @ Dallas Cowboys
Traveling to Jerry World must feel like a vacation.
Especially for opposing offenses, and I expect that trend to continue in 2021. It must be said that the Dallas Cowboys did add some playmakers to the defensive side of the ball via the draft, specifically one of my favorite players in former LSU linebacker Jabril Cox.
It still isn’t enough to solidify the Cowboys’ defensive unit, as they need another year of reinforcements to plug all of the leaks.
Their offense is still uber-talented, and Dak Prescott will be hopefully returning to full strength. This just seems like a solid matchup for the Denver Broncos, despite the Cowboys’ weapons.
For every play-making wide receiver, the Cowboys’ have, Vic Fangio have a defensive back who can match them. Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby, Justin Simmons, Patrick Sutrain II, Micheal Ojemudia, Kareem Jackson, etc.
Some teams may be torched by the Cowboys air raid offense, the Broncos just certainly not one of them, not with this secondary.
Cowboys key 2021 additions
- LB Micah Parsons
- CB Kelvin Joseph
Prediction: Win (6-3)
Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Playing the NFC East is a luxury, and this is the last of the opponents.
After all is said and done, my prediction is that the Denver Broncos get the brooms, disheartening, and sweeping the NFC East. Led by the current second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles are a team that is transitioning.
Outside of coming away with a victory, my only hope for this game is that Joe Flacco has to make an appearance at some point. Drew Lock lights this game on fire and outduels him in an overwhelming fashion.
“Take that Flacco, I don’t need you as a mentor”, says Lock.
That isn’t wishing for an injury to happen to Hurts, maybe Hurts is just playing poorly and gets benched or the Broncos are winning by so much that Flacco gets to come out.
Simply put, the Philadelphia Eagles do not have one player on their roster right now that worries me. This Broncos team is not only superior in talent on their roster, but in the coaching staff as well.
Eagles key 2021 additions
- WR DeVonta Smith
- S Anthony Harris
- IOL Landon Dickerson
Prediction: Win (7-3)
Week 11: BYE Week
If the Denver Broncos lose in Week 11, I will renounce my fandom.
Heading into the bye week with a record of 7-3 would make the majority of Broncos Country ecstatic.
Honestly, this bye week could not be in a better spot for the Broncos. Having this break practically midway through the season gives them a week’s rest before their most important games of the season.
Post bye week, the Denver Broncos will have five out of their six divisional games. This includes both matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, and a trip to Las Vegas to play the Raiders.
This could be a pivotal break for the 2021 season.
Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Coming off of a bye week, and beginning the divisional gauntlet of the Broncos schedule, the importance of games increase.
Reigning offensive rookie of the year Justin Herbert comes to Empower Field for just the second time in his career. With an extra week to prepare for this talented Chargers team, the Denver Broncos should be ready.
Keenan Allen will be facing a much different secondary this year. Chris Harris Jr. will also be back again as a member of the opposition.
In this matchup with the Chargers, I think the Broncos struggle and have a bit of rust to shake off. Dropping this matchup will be a missed opportunity, but not quite back-breaking.
Chargers key 2021 additions
- OT Rashawn Slater
- C Corey Linsley
- OL Matt Feiler
- TE Jared Cook
- CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Prediction: Loss (7-4)
Week 13: @ Kansas City Chiefs
Ugh, Arrowhead in December.
Furthermore, in the past 11 games against this juggernaut, the Broncos are way too familiar with, they represent a floundering 0-11 record.
While there certainly have been some egregious losses in that span, doesn’t it feel like the Broncos keep inching closer? During the Vance Joesph era, it seemed like the Denver Broncos were miles away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since the hiring of defensive guru Vic Fangio, the Broncos have been able to withstand their offensive attack, they just haven’t been able to score enough points to win.
Could this be the matchup where the Denver Broncos snap the seemingly never-ending drought?
Nope.
Don’t worry though Broncos Country, we get another crack at the Chiefs. Next time it will be in Denver, and in January.
Chiefs key 2021 offseason additions
- OT Orlando Brown Jr.
- LG Joe Thuney
- OL Kyle Long
- C Creed Humphrey
- DL Jarran Reed
- LB Nick Bolton
Prediction: Loss (7-5)
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions
Kneecaps, everyone protect your kneecaps!
Seriously though, the Denver Broncos have a good chance at getting back on track after another two-game slide.
I don’t think the Detroit Lions will be as bad as everyone assumes, but I still think they will be bad. They got a depreciative downgrade at the quarterback position but upgraded their offensive line by taking Penei Sewell atop their 2021 NFL Draft.
Kenny Golladay left via free agency, but they added Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams, also downgrades at the wide receiver position.
This game could not come at a better time as the Broncos get back on track with a dominating victory over the Detroit Lions at home.
Lions key 2021 additions
- QB Jared Goff
- WR Tyrell Williams
- WR Breshad Perriman
- OT Penei Sewell
- DL Levi Onwuzurike
- DL Michael Brockers
Prediction: Win (8-5)
Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
What is a trap game and why is it against the Cincinnati Bengals?
Joe Burrow looked phenomenal last year before tearing his ACL. Burrow is also reunited with a former collegiate teammate in wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
With a victory here, the Denver Broncos would most likely be in the driver’s seat for the top wild-card spot in the AFC. Being 9-5 with three remaining games gives you about a 67 percent chance of reaching 10 wins, which would all but guarantee a spot in a seven-seed playoff bracket.
Unfortunately, I do not think the Broncos win this game.
Bengals key 2021 additions
- WR Ja’Marr Chase
- OT Riley Reiff
- OL Jackson Carman
- DE Trey Hendrickson
- DL Larry Ogunjobi
- CB Chidobe Awuzie
Prediction: Loss (8-6)
Week 16: @ Las Vegas Raiders
In the first match-up of the season, I gave the decision to the Las Vegas Raiders.
With playoffs on the horizon, and this game being a must-win, the Denver Broncos must come ready to play. Going into the new version of the “Black Hole” that reportedly will have a DJ as well as a bar on the field is never an easy task.
Fangio’s seat could be pretty warm at this point, and I think this would be understood. This roster is talented enough to push into the playoffs, and year three is usually a deciding factor on many coaches.
If Drew Lock is still starting at this point and had been all season, he should start to feel a little uneasy also.
Making the playoffs in the National Football League makes or breaks players and coaches. If by year three you have not made that leap, then chances are you are going to be leaping somewhere else.
With the urgent feeling in Fangio and Lock’s gut, I think they realize the magnitude of this game.
Prediction: Win (9-6)
Week 17: @ Los Angeles Chargers
Another divisional opponent, this time the Denver Broncos travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.
Are the road trips to face the Chargers actually “away” games? While it’s certainly away from home, it always seems that Broncos Country is better represented even in the Chargers’ own stadium.
Both of these teams are matched fairly even, giving the advantage to the Broncos. Splitting the season’s matchups would be a fair assessment as neither team has really separated itself from the latter as of late.
Herbert, if continues his trajectory, presents the better quarterback option. As far as the rest of the roster, the Broncos are superior.
First-year head coach and former Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach, Brandon Staley, was a disciple of Vic Fangio dating back to their Chicago days. It will be interesting to see these two battle against one another for hopefully years to come.
The Broncos win on the “road” against the Chargers, yet again.
Prediction: Win (10-6)
Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
What a glorious day in Broncos Country it will be!
In the second matchup of the season with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos not only win the final game of the 2021 NFL Season, but they clinch a playoff berth!
Ending the longest 12 game stretch I can remember against a single opponent, the chains have finally fallen off of the Broncos’ feet. Building off of this momentum would be crucial if the 2021 Denver Broncos want to put themselves back on the map of relevancy.
For the first time in 29 years, the Denver Broncos will not have a Monday Night Football game. It’s due to the consistent inconsistency. Lackluster play and not-competitive showings have brought the national opinion down of this proud and historic franchise.
With this victory, it would change everything.
Who really knows how much momentum that this victory and playoff berth would give this franchise that has been starving for success. For the first time in many years, Broncos fans everywhere would finally see sunshine instead of darkness, hope instead of hapless.
Prediction: Win (11-6)
Playoffs, playoffs, are ya kidding me?
That’s right Broncos Country, if the 2021 NFL Season goes as I project, saddle up!
My expectations for this season, based on this schedule are a mixed bag of streaks that involve both wins and losses. These kinds of things happen with a young team.
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Beating the Kansas City Chiefs, splitting with the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, and sweeping the NFC East are some of my predictions for the 2021 NFL Season.