Most may not think the Broncos can make much progress in this loaded AFC, but there are reasons why this team can win double-digit games in 2023. The team has done quite a bit of work this offseason after what was perhaps one of the worst seasons in team history in 2022.
Between historically bad coaching and league-leading injuries, the Denver Broncos felt like a minor-league team.
Clear change has been brought into the organization, and nothing bigger than the team trading draft capital to land Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints. Payton brings nearly two decades of head coaching experience and an offensive expertise that few coaches in the NFL have.
A few reasons stick out as to why the Denver Broncos can win double-digit games in the 2023 season.
Three reasons Denver Broncos can win double-digit games in 2023
1. The team has few holes on their roster
While I am worried about the depth of the team, the top players on this roster create a team with few holes. While they may not have a ton of elite players, they have solid players that have proven to be effective starters in the NFL.
Where is the team's biggest roster weakness? EDGE? Tight end? Running back? You could argue that Denver needs a little boost at a few positions, but I do not think there is a position on the roster where there lies a clear weakness that'll actively prevent Denver from winning games.
I truly believe this, especially on offense. The wide receiver room, tight end room, and offensive line room all got boosts this offseason and now look like complete units.
Denver has a top 10-12 roster in the NFL. Debate a wall.
Three reasons Denver Broncos can win double-digit games in 2023
2. Sean Payton's history of offensive success
Sean Payton coached the New Orleans Saints from 2006-2021. That's a 16-year stint. His scoring offenses never ranked worse than 12th in the NFL outside of just one year in 2021, his last year with the team. That year, Payton oversaw Jameis Winston playing the best football of his career before tearing his ACL early in the season.
Winston was on pace to throw for well over 40 touchdowns that year, believe it or now. Unfortunately, Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill weren't effective enough to field a top-half offense, but is that really on Payton?
Anyway, Payton has fielded a top-12 scoring offense 93.75% of the time as an NFL head coach. You don't need to be good at math to know that there's a very good chance the Broncos' offense ranks 12th or better in 2023.
Just imagine, for a second, if Denver has, let's say, the 10th-best scoring offense in the NFL. We already know they'll field a solid defense, as they're returning most of their players from last year, and Vance Joseph has a decent track record as a defensive coordinator.
What if Denver also fields the 10th-best scoring defense? Do you see how quickly this team can turn into a true contender? I think there's much more variance with the offense, mainly because of Russell Wilson, but there is strong reason to believe that the offense will be just fine.
Three reasons Denver Broncos can win double-digit games in 2023
3. Their 2023 schedule is actually a great deal for them
I think there are several things to love about the Denver Broncos 2023 schedule, and they should be well-coached enough to take advantage of what I believe to be the perks of the slate of games.
The first thing I noticed is that the team gets a bye week in the middle of the season, which is huge. They won't have a stretch playing a ton of games in a row without a break. Having the break in the middle of the campaign is probably the best deal for their physical health.
They also do not have to play an international game. I strongly dislike the international contests, and I'm glad Denver doesn't have to endure an ultra-long flight and a crazy timezone change.
I also do not think they have a brutal, over the top stretch of opponents in 2023 like they did in the second half of the 2022 season. Furthermore, besides their divisional opponents, Denver does not have a tough stretch of facing tough QBs.
Here's what I had to say about that in a recent article:
"Besides Herbert and Mahomes, they also face Jimmy Garoppolo x2, Sam Howell, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers (who endured his worst year in 2022), Josh Allen, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, CJ Stroud/Davis Mills, Jared Goff, Mac Jones."Lou Scataglia
I truly do not think this is the top of the top here among signal callers, and that could be a huge benefit to the defense.
Overall, the entire schedule, to me, can be a huge benefit to the Denver Broncos. I think this should help them close out some games in 2023 en route to a 10-7 finish.