The Denver Broncos are set to be a very good team in 2022. Let’s make a full season prediction, regular and post-season, for the Broncos.
With Russell Wilson now in the mix, the Denver Broncos are set to be a very talented team ready to compete for Super Bowls.
What I find very interesting about this first season is that I have seen quite a few predictions from those inside Broncos Country, and those outside, especially from the national media.
Some people are very high on Denver–they think the team can make a legitimate Super Bowl run in year one with Russell Wilson. They may predict the team wins 11-12 games and goes deep into the playoffs, at least.
I’ve also seen other people who are complimentary of Denver, but not as much as others. Perhaps they think they are still a Wild Card team and might only win 9 or 10 games this year.
From my personal experiences, since the trade went down, I have seen a wide range of predictions for the 2022 Denver Broncos.
I think that’s awesome, though, because it’s a safe bet to think that the team will be very good, and it could turn even sweeter if the team is able to beat expectations set by those who aren’t as high on the club as some of us are.
So, I want to offer a full season prediction for the team in 2022, coupled with my record prediction, placement in the AFC playoffs, and how far the team can go.
Denver’s season is broken down into two clear sections. What I mean by that is the team’s first eight or so games are some of the easiest in the NFL, while the last half of the season is an insane gauntlet of talented clubs.
It’s pretty clear that looking at the schedule would indicate to us fans and analysts that the team is going to need to start the season off on the right foot because the last several games especially are insanely tough.
So, let’s begin with the first eight games.
What’s cool about the first eight games is that Denver has their bye week right after their game in England against the Jaguars.
So, their bye comes in the middle of the season.
Starting from week one, Denver will play the following teams during the beginning half of the season:
Seahawks, Texans, 49ers, Raiders, Colts, Chargers, Jets, Jaguars.
Their home games are against the Texans, 49ers, Colts, and Jets. Their away games are against the Seahawks, Raiders, Chargers, and Jaguars.
Denver is going to need to win at least six of these first eight games to begin the season.
If they can’t win at least six, the team may actually have a hard time simply making the playoffs.
My “official” predictions for the Denver Broncos for their first eight games will be wins against every team except the Chargers.
Seattle, Houston, New York, and Jacksonville are all weak teams that Denver should beat handily.
The 49ers have a ton of QB uncertainty. Will Trey Lance be any good early in year two? Could Jimmy Garoppolo even start for them?
The Raiders and Colts are solid, playoff-caliber teams, but I genuinely like Denver’s roster better. They also have the better quarterback in these contests by a mile, so I think that gives another clear advantage.
Playing the Colts at home is also a nice plus. I’m not as high on the Colts as other people, though. I think they should have stuck with Carson Wentz–I don’t see Matt Ryan as a viable upgrade, but Indy does have a good roster; I just like Denver’s a bit better.
So yes, my official prediction before the bye week is Denver going 7-1 in their first eight games, which should give them one of the top two seeds in the AFC heading into the back half of the season.
Ask yourself this seriously, would Denver going 7-1 be genuinely surprising?
The last nine games are much, much tougher. Specifically, the last six games are a mess.
So, Denver begins the back half of the season with games against the Titans, Raiders, and Panthers.
3-0. Let’s do it. The Titans aren’t the most talented team. They just traded AJ Brown and didn’t exactly get a stellar season from Ryan Tannehill. Their pass rush is also rather weak as well.
The Raiders are the Raiders. They always seem to play the Broncos close. Denver will edge them out again because of their overall roster advantage.
As for the Panthers; I’m high on their roster, but I just wish they had a better QB.
Their defense is filled with playmakers at every level, they have very nice pass-catchers and running backs, and their offensive line became much improved this offseason.
However, if any of Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, Jimmy Garoppolo, or Baker Mayfield are throwing passes for the Panthers when Denver plays them, I’m not too convinced they can beat the Broncos.
So, they’ll beat the Panthers.
Going 10-1 with six games remaining is a very nice start, and gives them a ton of wiggle room if they slip up.
I think we’ll see the Denver Broncos split these six games, winning three against the Ravens, Chiefs, and Cardinals, but losing against the Rams, Chiefs, and Chargers.
This would put Denver at a 13-4 finish.
Do I think this is at all unreasonable? Not one bit. Russell Wilson is playing with the most talented roster he’s ever had, and we’ll see immediate success.
So since Denver finishes 13-4 in my scenario, where would that place them in the NFL playoffs?
Here are my seeding predictions:
- Bills
- Bengals
- Broncos
- Titans
- Chiefs
- Chargers
- Browns
So, Buffalo and Cincinnati take the top two seeds, while Denver gets the third seed.
This seeding also indicates that Denver finishes first in the AFC West.
The Bills get a bye week, and the 2nd and 7th seeds play during Wild Card weekend, along with the 3rd and 6th seeds, and the 4th and 5th seeds.
The Bengals play the Browns at home, which they will win. The Broncos play the Chargers in Denver, which I think Denver wins, and the Titans play the Chiefs at home. I like the Chiefs in that matchup.
So, Buffalo gets the lowest remaining seed, which is Kansas City.
The Bills then play the Chiefs in Buffalo, and the Bengals play the Broncos in Cincinnati.
I like the Bills and Bengals to win those two games, making them the AFC Championship game matchup, and ending the Broncos’ season.
So, Denver enters the playoffs at 13-4 and goes 1-1 in the playoffs. They finish the season 14-5 in the first season of the Russell Wilson era.
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My predictions might be lofty to some people, but I can’t find a legitimate weakness on the roster and see several position groups of strength.
How do you think the Denver Broncos will do in 2022?