Even with all of the positive change the Broncos have brought in this offseason, there are still some who are not sold yet, but here's why you should expect the team to make the playoffs in 2023. I think there are more reasons than not to believe that the Broncos will be a playoff team in 2023.
All things considered, Denver does appear to have a tough hill to climb. They're in a brutal AFC West division and are also in what might be one of the most loaded AFCs the league has ever seen. However, all things considered, you should be expecting this team to make the playoffs in 2023 for a few reasons.
Here's why you should expect the Broncos to make the playoffs in 2023
1. They have an elite coach with tons of success
Sean Payton was and is still one of the five best head coaches in football, and his resume as head coach of the New Orleans Saints is absolutely insane. Payton gives us several reasons why we should expect Denver to make the playoffs in 2023.
He's won 63.1% of his regular season games over his 15-year career as head coach of the Saints. That winning percentage over a 17-game season equates to 10.73 wins. He's also been to the playoffs in nine of his 15 seasons as head coach, and boasts a winning record in the playoffs as well.
Payton's offenses have only ranked worse than 12th in points scored one time, which was in 2021, so you best believe that there's a very good chance that Denver sports an efficient offense. I don't think there are five head coaches in the NFL right now who I'd take over Sean Payton, and we all know how crucial coaching is to the success of a team.
Denver had to deal with the ugly side of that last year.
Here's why you should expect the Broncos to make the playoffs in 2023
2. Broncos have talent at the most important positions in football
Some of the most important positions in the modern-day NFL include quarterback, wide receiver, left tackle, cornerback, and EDGE rusher. Well, fortunately for the Broncos, they've got talent at each position that I believe to be the most important to the success of a team.
I'm still buying into the Russell Wilson of old that we saw in Seattle. He's got elite talent and I still think it's there. Denver also sports what is now a deep and talented wide receiver room that will see the return of Tim Patrick. Marvin Mims Jr and Marquez Callaway are also fine additions that may give the Broncos a whopping five competent options at this position.
I think Garett Bolles is at least an average left tackle in the NFL, and I believe quite a few teams would love to have average LT play. There is a huge shortage of quality offensive linemen in the NFL, and even if you don't think Bolles can return to his 2020 ways, I still think it's fair to say that he's competent.
Cornerback, well, need I say more? Patrick Surtain II is the best CB in the business. K'Waun Williams is an excellent slot cornerback. Damarri Mathis showed some promise in year one that should hopefully carry into year two, and Riley Moss is an intriguing addition from the 2023 NFL Draft.
The pass rush is definitely something that is up for debate. It's the most unproven spot on the defense right now and might be the weakest part of the roster. It's easy to say that Randy Gregory and Baron Browning can be a scary duo if Gregory can stay on the field and if Browning can take a step forward in year three.
The room does have potential and I think it can turn into a middle of the pack unit at least.
Here's why you should expect the Broncos to make the playoffs in 2023
3. Their schedule in 2023 is very favorable
I've touched on why I think the Denver Broncos' schedule in 2023 is favorable for them, and I think if they're a good enough team in 2023, they'll be able to take advantage of that, but some things that stick out to me about the schedule include:
-Nine home games
-No international games
-Games against KC are early in the season
-Bye week comes right in the middle of the season
-No overly tough stretch of games to begin or end the season
Their schedule is one that I'd hope they could take advantage of. I like their chances to start 3-1 and am predicting them to go into their bye week with a 5-3 record. Their schedule is a bit on the harder side because they are in the AFC West, but it's not like the Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders aren't playing a similar slate of opponents themselves.