The Denver Broncos offense is what we're all looking at to bounce back in 2023. Let's make some bold predictions for this unit. If the Broncos' offense is competent, this is going to be a dangerous team. The defense should still be solid, and it's been clear since 2015 that the offense has been the missing piece.
Can the tandem of Sean Payton and Russell Wilson chef it up in the kitchen? I think they can come together to find a recipe that appeases both sides. With Tim Patrick set to return to the lineup, new skill players who can contribute, and a solidified offensive line, this could be a rock-solid unit in 2023.
Three bold predictions for the Denver Broncos offense in 2023
1. Broncos rank at least 12th in points scored
This one is low-hanging fruit, I think. Outside of one season, Sean Payton has had his offenses in New Orleans ranked no lower than 12th in points scored. The lone exception was in 2021 when Jameis Winston went down with a torn ACL.
Winston was playing the best football of his career and Payton was working with Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill. They still fielded the 19th-ranked offense and had a winning record. Still, very impressive given the circumstances.
My bold prediction is that Denver goes from one of the worst offenses in the NFL in 2022 to one of the most efficient. I think they'll establish a top-10 run game, limit turnovers, and rank at least 12th in points scored.
Three bold predictions for the Denver Broncos offense in 2023
2. Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick all have at least 800 receiving yards
One thing that I noticed with Sean Payton's offenses is that there is a lot of ball distribution going around. While it is very possible that Denver does finally have a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2019, I think the more likely scenario is that Russell Wilson ends up using all of his weapons adequately.
My bold prediction here is that the Broncos' top three wide receivers all have at least 800 receiving yards. There have been only a handful of instances in NFL history where there's been a trio of 1,000-yard receivers, and I don't think it's very likely to see something like this. Getting to 800 yards receiving is still a solid feat. That's still 47 yards per game for all 17 games, which is likely around four receptions per game.
And I think three different pass catchers for the Denver Broncos will hit that mark. This will greatly frustrate opposing defenses as they'll have to keep an eye on many targets.
Three bold predictions for the Denver Broncos offense in 2023
3. Russell Wilson has a 3:1 TD-INT ratio
My last bold prediction is that Russell Wilson returns to his normal, efficient ways in 2023. I predict that he'll finish with a TD-INT ratio of 3:1 or better. I recently predicted every game of Wilson's 2023 season, and I landed on him throwing for 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions, which is a slightly better than 3:1 ratio.
I think Denver is going to install a run-first offense that utilizes heavy play-action off of that. That is, in a roundabout way, what Russell Wilson was doing in Seattle for all those years. He has been an incredibly efficient QB before, so this would not be new to him, but many think that Wilson is over the hump and is totally washed.
I could not disagree more, and even if he does this, I'm not necessarily saying he needs to light up the stat sheet. He may only throw for 20-24 touchdowns in this type of offense. Maybe he has indeed lost a step and isn't what he once was.
Maybe Sean Payton will have to work extra hard to squeeze what's left out of Russell Wilson. That might be the case, but even in that case, I think Wilson is still an efficient passer in 2023.