As is my yearly tradition (though I missed doing it last year in that crazy covid19 football season) I like to predict the Denver Broncos record before any regular season games are played. This year's predictions:
1 Sun, Sep 12 @New York Giants
WIN - Giants offensive line is shaky, running back Saquan Barkley is still not 100% from last year's season ending injury. The Giants do have a good defense so it'll be a good test for Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos offense, but I think they score enough to get the win.
2 Sun, Sep 19 @Jacksonville
WIN - A rookie quarterback going against the Denver Defense? Win
3 Sun, Sep 26 vs New York Jets
WIN Ditto - Jets rookie qb against the Denver D is a good matchup for the Broncos, and the Broncos traditionally have played well in home openers
4 Sun, Oct 3 vs Baltimore
WIN - The Ravens are one of the AFC's best teams. The Broncos have a chance though, since this is at home, and the Ravens have significant injuries at running back. If the Broncos are 3-0 entering this game as I predict, the momentum of that fast start will give the team a win over the favored Ravens.
5 Sun, Oct 10 @Pittsburgh
LOSS - Big Ben still has enough left to lead the Steelers over the Broncos
6 Sun, Oct 17 vs Las Vegas
WIN - I predict the Raiders/Broncos split their 2 games this year with both teams winning at home
7 Thu, Oct 21 @Cleveland
LOSS - Browns will be one of the most improved AFC teams this year
8 Sun, Oct 31 vs Washington
WIN - home field gives the edge to the Broncos in a close contest
9 Sun, Nov 7 @ Dallas
LOSS - Cowboys are a different team with Dak at QB
10 Sun, Nov 14 vs Philadelphia
WIN - Bronco D should handle another young QB
12 Sun, Nov 28 vs Los Angeles Chargers
LOSS - Chargers get revenge for a close loss at Denver last season
13 Sun, Dec 5 @ Kansas City
LOSS - Tough to beat the AFC's best team on the road
14 Sun, Dec 12 vs Detroit
WIN - Lions are one of the NFL's worst teams
15 Sun, Dec 19 vs Cincinnati
WIN - Broncos improved secondary will handle Joe Burrow
16 Sun, Dec 26 @ Las Vegas
LOSS - see week 6, home teams win this series
17 Sun, Jan 2 @ Los Angeles
LOSS - I hope not as I'll be at this game! But Chargers look to be much improved under their new coaching staff.
18 Sun, Jan 9 vs Kansas City
WIN - I'm guessing KC has their playoff position clinched by now, they'll rest some starters, giving the Broncos the edge.
Overall record: 10 wins 7 losses That may be good enough for a wildcard playoff berth, depending on how the rest of the AFC shakes out.
Other thoughts: I think Teddy Bridgewater will do better than the other short term veteran quarterback fixes the team has tried in recent years (Case Keenum, Joe Flacco in their one year stints). I don't think he's the long term answer at qb though. If the Broncos were thinking long term, Drew Lock should have been the starter this year, to determine if Drew is the answer or not. Lock did have a bad year last season, but with a new offensive coordinator and a covid19 shortened preseason it was not surprising that the 2nd year qb struggled. Fangio wants to win to keep his job, and Bridgewater gives the team the best chance to win now.
I think the Broncos defense is the best we will have seen in years (barring significant injuries), close to the 2015 SB 50 champ bronco D. That defense will give the team lots of wins.
Still the Broncos did not take a quarterback when they had the chance with an early draft position. It was Josh Allen they passed on in 2018. This year the team passed on Justin Fields and Mac Jones in round one, both of whom have shown promise in the preseason. In 2021 if I am close to my win/loss position the Broncos won't be drafting early enough to get one of the top qbs in the 2022 draft. And if Drew Lock isn't the answer (there's at least a 50/50 chance he is not) then the Broncos will again be hoping for a veteran free agent qb to lead them. It worked with Peyton Manning. Back in the day it worked with Charlie Johnson and Craig Morton (Morton via trade). Most times it doesn't work, though.
Bottom line: the Broncos should have taken a quarterback when they had the chance with an early first round draft choice in recent years.
