The Denver Broncos simply cannot continue to have bad performances like what we saw on Monday Night Football. In every facet of the game, the Broncos were embarrassed and overwhelmed. While it's not the end of the world, and the team has 16 games to bounce back, the way the game unfolded was brutal.
We're having a totally different discussion if the team had lost by three points thanks to a game-winning drive by Patrick Mahomes. This blowout loss revealed some serious issues that need to be corrected as soon as possible, as the schedule does get tougher.
The first six games of the Broncos season represent the hardest stretch they'll have this year. Let's predict how the team does over the next three games.
Predicting the Denver Broncos next three games following shaky 0-1 start
Week 2 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Broncos winning streak in 2025 was snapped when they hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only did Denver lose that game, but in similar fashion to the Kansas City Chiefs loss on Monday, Denver got overwhelmed and simply blown out.
Denver seems to have an issue matching up with certain teams' physicality, and I worry that the same thing unfolds when Jacksonville returns to Denver in Week 2. Fortunately, it's early enough in the season that the Jaguars might not be at the peak of their powers, but I have struggles predicting that the Broncos win this one.
Prediction: Jaguars win 28-21 (0-2)
Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Broncos have two primetime games across the first three weeks of the season, as this showdown against the Los Angeles Rams is a Sunday Night Football slot. The Rams also got blown out in Week 1, so the Broncos weren't the only supposed juggernaut to lose big-time.
Denver could win this one, as Matthew Stafford, the Rams quarterback, isn't nearly as mobile as Mahomes or even Trevor Lawrence will be, and the Rams defense did have a flat-out horrific showing in Week 1 and won't have Myles Garrett in Week 3, as he's on injured reserve.
Even with Los Angeles having a bit more roster talent, this could be a game where the Broncos finally begin to put things together and earn their first win of the season.
Prediction: Broncos win 23-21 (1-2)
Week 4 @ San Francisco 49ers
Denver then travels in Week 4 to face the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are already dealing with key injuries and can't seem to put those behind them. San Francisco did blowout the Rams in Week 1, but as we all know, Week 1 can often be a liar.
On paper, Denver is the better team, and the overall lack of talent in the 49ers secondary should allow the Broncos to take advantage through the air. The 49ers defensive coordinator is Raheem Morris, who was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons when the Broncos beat them 38-6 during the 2024 season.
In that game, Bo Nix threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns, so perhaps Nix can again have a productive passing day against a defense he has the ability to expose. Can the Broncos win two in a row in our predictions? The answer is yes.
Prediction: Broncos win 24-20 (2-2)
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