For the second year in a row, the Denver Broncos are 1-1 to begin a season. Denver was 0-2 to begin 2023 and 2024, so there has been an improvement. With that being said, the schedule does not get any easier over the next handful of games.
The Broncos still have to play four playoff teams from a year ago over the next month before the schedule lightens up a bit. While that does seem like a heavy lift, Denver's opponents are surely looking at them the same way.
No matter how you look at it, this next stretch is going to be tough. Let's predict the Broncos next three games following an exciting Week 2 victory.
Predicting the Denver Broncos next three games following an exciting Week 2 victory
Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Folks, the Los Angeles Rams are a juggernaut, and they're probably the best team the Broncos will have played in the Sean Payton era thus far. Denver gets this game at home, a place where they've nearly been unbeatable in the Bo Nix era - the team owns a 15-3 home record in 18 contests at Mile High since the start of the 2024 season.
That's going to be a huge advantage here, and if the Broncos are able to generate pressure on Matthew Stafford, who just isn't a mobile quarterback, this game could tilt in Denver's favor. I don't see it, though, as Los Angeles does out-talent the Broncos, and Stafford is still at the peak of his powers.
This star-studded roster is going to do just enough to beat Denver in Weej 3.
Prediction: Rams win 24-20 (1-2)
Week 4 @ San Francisco 49ers
The Broncos have a west-coast stretch here, as they have two away games in California in Weeks 4 and 5. They're in San Francisco to face the 49ers in this one. The 49ers are 2-0 to begin the season, and QB Brock Purdy has played some excellent football. However, the Niners are again dealing with a ton of injuries and just don't have the sheer talent that Denver has.
This is going to be a back and forth game, as while Denver has the talented advantage, San Francisco obviously has the home-field advantage in this one. What is interesting is that Purdy is actually a more efficient QB away from home, and owns a better record.
The 49ers are 17-10 at home but 18-6 away in the Purdy era. The veteran QB owns a 100.4 passer rating at home with 42 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions in those games. He has a 110.2 rating away from home with 47 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
The Broncos have just enough to win this game.
Prediction: Broncos win 21-20 (2-2)
Week 5 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Through two weeks, the Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, as we all expected. Not only are the Chargers banged up at the moment, but nothing is working for this team. They're poorly coached and don't have the personnel to overcome the shortfalls in coaching.
There are a myriad of issues with this football team right now, so the Broncos have to be able to take advantage on October 11th. While the Broncos have struggled against LA in the Payton era, there is also a chance that the Bolts are simply dealing with some major regression.
This could open the door for the Broncos to earn a crucial division victory.
Prediction: Broncos win 28-22 (3-2)
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