The Denver Broncos, like any other NFL team, could get some bad luck with their 2024 schedule. How could the NFL end up screwing the Broncos on their slate of games? Last year, Denver actually had an nice schedule, as it was the AFC's turn for the nine home games. Denver also had a bye week right in the middle of the season and did not have an international game to deal with.
All things considered, it was a good schedule to have, but that might not be the case in 2024, as the NFL schedule-makers might end up (not on purpose) giving the Denver Broncos a brutal schedule. There are a few ways the NFL can really screw the Denver Broncos with their 2024 schedule.
3 ways the NFL could screw the Denver Broncos with their 2024 schedule
1. Having an early bye week
This to me is one of the worst cards an NFL team can draw in their schedule. The Denver Broncos had their bye week in Week 9 of the 2023 NFL Season, which was perfect, as it fell right in the middle. This meant the team did not play an outlandishly long stretch of games before or after the bye week.
Well, the earliest bye week that an NFL team can have now, it appears, is Week 5. The Denver Broncos getting a Week 5 bye week would be disastrous, as they'd have that week off and would then have to play, by my count, 13 games over the next 13 weeks. It'd be a mess, and I believe the Broncos would suffer more injuries due to this. Hopefully, the NFL gives them another bye week in the middle of the season.
2. Being matched-up with an elite team in primetime
The Denver Broncos had several primetime games last year and got their rear ends handed to them by the Detroit Lions in primetime late in the 2023 NFL Season. How about this doesn't happen in 2024, OK NFL? Well, I have no say in it, but honestly, when the Broncos do have to play a primetime game, it'd be the most ideal scenario to not have a juggernaut on the opposing sideline.
At least two games stick out to be as being obvious candidates for primetime games; against the Steelers and against the Saints. The connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers is obvious with Russell Wilson, and Sean Payton coached the Saints for over a decade, so that's the obvious connection there.
The last thing I want to see happen is the Broncos to have to again travel to Kansas City in primetime, or having to travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. No thanks.
3. Ending the year AWAY @ a divisional foe
No thank you. The Denver Broncos have been horrid when facing their AFC West rivals in recent seasons, and it's especially true when they are traveling away from Denver. And if you are an optimist about this season, you might think that the Broncos could squeak into the postseason. If that can become the case, they might need to have a "win and in" scenario facing them in Week 18.
Well, the one game I would not at all feel confident in for the Denver Broncos in Week 18 is them playing the Chiefs in Kansas City, Raiders in Las Vegas, or Chargers in Los Angeles. The Broncos have had their way with the LA Chargers, as they have had no troubles beating them at least once a year.
But all of a sudden, the Broncos can't seem to beat the Raiders, and the team has beaten the Chiefs just twice since 2015. The last thing the Denver Broncos need is to end their season playing away from Denver against a divisional foe, especially if there are playoff stakes.