There are big expectations for a favorable record in the mile-high city, and it comes with good reason. The Denver Broncos have not had a winning season since 2016. That is half a decade of winless football for the Broncos and its fans.
The Broncos have the roster and quarterback to achieve success, but it won’t be easy. The AFC West is the best division in football and the ladder to climb up the AFC could prove to be a steep one with many competitive teams having eyes on the same goal.
What does this all mean for the Denver Broncos? Well, as we take a look at their 2022 schedule there are some favorable matchups and also some key games that the Broncos will need to win.
After a long off-season with some great value moves, it’s time to prove it on the field.
Let’s ride.
Predicting the Denver Broncos’ record for the 2022 season: Weeks 1-4
Week 1: Broncos at Seahawks (MNF)
The return of Russell Wilson to Seattle. What a way to start off the season for both these teams.
The Broncos are heavy favorites in this matchup and for good reason. While comparing both these rosters and with the Wilson trade looming in the minds of this game, I expect Seahawks fans to miss their ex-prized QB by the second half. 1-0 for the Broncos
Week 2: Broncos vs. Texans
The writing is on the wall for this one. The Texans are arguably at or near the bottom of the pecking order in the AFC, while the Broncos get a favorable matchup at home. As demonstrated in the picture above, the Texans may be blown up in this one. 2-0 record for the Broncos.
Week 3: Broncos vs 49ers (SNF)
The first big test for the Broncos. Russell Wilson is 16-4 all-time against the 49ers and that includes a playoff win which ultimately leads to Wilson’s first Super Bowl ring. The 49ers do boast a competitive, well-coached roster but this will be Trey Lance’s fifth start of his career and the Broncos are at home. 3-0 record for the Broncos.
Week 4: Broncos at Raiders
This marks the Broncos’ first divisional game of the season and the Broncos’ first loss. This division will be tough, resilient, and just plain awesome to watch. It could go either way and sadly, I see the Raiders forking out a close one at home. 3-1 for the Broncos.
Week 5: Broncos vs. Colts (TNF)
Some would say Matt Ryan’s best days are behind him, for the Colts their season rides on how he performs. For the Broncos, this marks their third prime-time game in six weeks coming off a division loss. The Broncos lose a nail bitter in Indy, and this is the first bit of adversity they will have to fight through. 3-2 for the Broncos.
Week 6: Broncos at Chargers (MNF)
Another divisional matchup that is sure to bring entertainment. Truly, these AFC west division games will be tough to call. I see the Broncos getting their first division win and leaning on a last-minute defensive stand against Herbert and co. A pivotal win for Denver to help bolster their record to 4-2.
Week 7: Broncos vs. Jets
A gift from the NFL schedulers, the Broncos make quick work of a team who is still trying to decide what they have under center. Broncos ride to a 5-2 record on the season.
Week 8: Broncos at Jaguars (In London)
London calling! The Broncos find themselves in London, facing off against a pesky Jaguars team. I actually think this game could be a trap game given that it is in London and these games usually lead to some sort of bizarre.
I think Trevor Lawerence will take a step forward this year, and the hiring of Doug Pedersen was a great move. However, this should be a win for Denver. Broncos charge to 6-2.
Week 9: Bye Week
The Broncos gallop on the back of a three-game win streak into the bye.
Week 10: Broncos at Titans
I think the Broncos come out of the bye rested and ready to play. Russell Wilson and company should be able to put up some points against a Titans team that I think will take a step back this season. Could we see Malik Willis by this point? Can’t say for sure, but wouldn’t that be fun? 7-2 for the Broncos.
Week 11: Broncos vs. Raiders
Back against the black and silver rivals, I suspect the Broncos pull out a victory here and split the series 1-1 with the Raiders. As I have said before, I believe these division games will be a true anybody’s-guess type of football. Broncos march to 8-2 on the season.
Week 12: Broncos at Panthers
This will be another one of those games that the Broncos should win. Carolina does have a sneaky good roster, but Matt Rhule is in the hot seat and we should know by this point if the Baker Mayfield experiment has worked out or not. Barring any setbacks, the Broncos leave Charlotte with a 9-2 record.
Week 13: Broncos at Ravens
The Broncos come into Baltimore to face a tough Ravens team. Lamar Jackson is a fantastic player and is hard to handle for any defense. It will be a great game to watch, but the Broncos fall short and walk out with a 9-3 record.
Week 14: Broncos vs. Chiefs (SNF)
This will be a paramount matchup for the Broncos. Sunday Night Football, in Denver, against the Chiefs, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes. Here we go. To the relief of many in Broncos country, I have the Broncos beating the Chiefs to snap the abysmal losing streak that has plagued this Broncos team for some time.
The Cheifs are a great football team, I don’t really buy that they will take any sort of step back this season. They have the best QB in the world and a fantastic head coach, but the Broncos pull out the win.
Hackett and Wilson rejoice! Broncos move to 10-3 on the season.
Week 15: Broncos vs. Cardinals
The Cardinals have not been able to close out seasons over the last few years, and they now travel into the hands of the Broncos coming off a massive win against the Chiefs.
I think the Broncos are able to rattle Kyler Murray enough to force some turnovers. Broncos move past the birds with an 11-3 record.
Week 16: Broncos at Rams (Christmas Day)
The Broncos travel to LA to face the Superbowl champion Rams. This will be a tough game to win. I think the Rams are one of the top three teams in the NFC. Matt Stafford and Aaron Donald lead the charge in a win against the Broncos and hand Denver an 11-4 record.
Week 17: Broncos at Chiefs
The Chiefs get one back against the Broncos. Tough division. The Broncos leave KC with an 11-5 record.
Week 18: Broncos vs. Chargers
To close out the season, the Denver Broncos battle it out in their last division game of the season. I am going to go out on a whim here and predict a shootout that leads to overtime. How fitting. The Broncos win and end up with a 12-5 record on the season.
Now, a 12-5 record is what I have predicted here, and while I truly see the Broncos in that 11 to 12 win window, I also think it’s wise to have measured expectations.
I think the division games will be the toughest games for the Broncos and they will be tested. These games could truly go either way and the margins to win in a loaded AFC are thin. I also think a brand new coaching staff and quarterback will take some time to truly get to the point we all want it to.
Denver Broncos top 5 most likely breakout players in 2022
The Denver Broncos have a number of players on both sides of the ball poised to break out in a big way in 2022. We rank the top five.
However, I believe in Russell Wilson and I think he will have a great year. I also believe this Denver Broncos defense is the real deal. We have had quite an off-season in Broncos country and now it’s time to see the final product on the field. Fun times ahead.