It’s officially schedule release season which means every fan base believes their team will make the playoffs. Denver Broncos fans are definitely included in this category as this Broncos team has the most hope going into a season since Peyton Manning left.
The Denver Broncos Road to 10-6
Week 1: vs Tennessee Titans
Denver opens its season by hosting Tennessee on the late Monday Night game in Week 1. The Broncos almost never lose at home on Opening Day. They are 30-7-1 when opening the season at home. They dominated the Titans last year and will do the same to start the season this year.
Record: 1-0
Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Denver travels to Pittsburgh to take on a Steelers team that returns future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after he missed most of the season last year. Pittsburgh’s defense took a huge leap forward last year thanks to the exceptional play of T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Denver loses a close one in a defensive battle.
Record: 1-1
Week 3: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Broncos return back to Denver and host the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady has a career winning record against every team in the NFL except one, the Denver Broncos. His trouble against the Broncos doesn’t end in 2020, as Denver hands Tom and Buccaneers a punishing defeat.
Record: 2-1
Week 4: at New York Jets
TRAP GAME!
Coming off an impressive win against the Buccaneers the Broncos travel to New York on a short week and can’t get excited about playing a bad Jets team. The Jets take advantage of Denver’s lack of enthusiasm and hand them an upset on Thursday night football.
Record: 2-2
Week 5: at New England Patriots
The Broncos travel to Foxborough to battle the Tom Brady-less Patriots. The Patriots are not nearly the team they have been in years past and are handled by the Drew Lock-led Broncos in Week 5.
Record: 3-2
Week 6: vs Miami Dolphins
The Broncos return from their two-game road trip in the Northeast to host the struggling Dolphins. The Dolphins do not possess the skill or experience to play with this Broncos team and leave Denver ashamed of their pitiful play on the field.
Record: 4-2
Week 7: vs Kansas City Chiefs
Denver gets its first taste of an AFC West opponent in Week 7 by hosting the defending Super Bowl champions. Drew Lock and Patrick Mahomes battle in one of the best shootouts in the 2020 season but Mahomes get the last laugh as the Chiefs squeak out a win.
Record: 4-3
Week 8
BYE
Week 9: at Atlanta Falcons
The Denver Broncos travel to Atlanta coming off a bye week leaving them well-rested to take on an Atlanta team that is on the decline. The Broncos offense is too much for a weak Falcons defense as Drew Lock has his best game of the season by throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns.
Record: 5-3
Week 10: at Las Vegas Raiders
The Broncos play their first-ever game in the city of Las Vegas in the brand new Raiders stadium. The Raiders running game led by Josh Jacobs is too much for the Bronco defense to handle as the Raiders escape with a win in a low scoring game.
Record 5-4
Week 11: vs Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos travel back to the Mile High City to play the Chargers. Justin Herbert is the starting quarterback for the Chargers at this point in the season and experiences troubles in this game. Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and Jurrell Casey have a field day and accumulate six sacks on Herbert. The Broncos win in a blowout fashion.
Record: 6-4
Week 12: vs New Orleans Saints
The Battle of the Drews
Drew Brees and the Saints come to Denver to take on Drew Lock and the Broncos. This game quickly turns into a shootout led by two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks that share the same first name. Drew Brees manages to orchestrate a masterful final drive as time expires to score and beat the Broncos.
Record: 6-5
Week 13: at Kansas City
Denver must go to Arrowhead Stadium for a Monday Night game and play the Chiefs for the second time in 2020. The Broncos struggle again to slow down Mahomes and the fast-paced offense of mastermind Andy Reid. The Chiefs send the Broncos packing in a route that puts Denver’s record at .500.
Record: 6-6
Week 14: vs Carolina Panthers
The losing streak for the Broncos ends at two when they host the Panthers. The lack of sufficient quarterback play allows Vic Fangio to focus the defense almost entirely on Christian McCaffrey and slow him down enough for Denver to muster a win.
Record: 7-6
Week 15: vs Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills come into Denver as a possible Wild Card candidate and play a must-see TV game against the Broncos. Two teams on the verge of playoffs have an astounding game led by two up and coming quarterbacks in the NFL. Drew Lock outplays Josh Allen as the Broncos walk away with the victory.
Record: 8-6
Week 16: at Los Angeles
Denver makes its first appearance in the new Los Angeles stadium that is shared by the Chargers and the Rams. The Broncos embarrass the Chargers in front of a crowd that has more Broncos fans than Chargers fans. Denver’s offense is too much for a defense that lacks excitement in Week 16 because they have already been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
Record: 9-6
Week 17: vs Las Vegas Raiders
Denver gets to host the Las Vegas Raiders in a game of major importance for playoffs. The Raiders and Broncos are both fringe playoff teams at this point with similar records. Denver wins their most important game of the year by abusing Derek Carr and improving their record to 10-6 and clinching a playoff spot.
Record: 10-6
Bottom Line: The Denver Broncos are a much-improved team from the 2019 season and look to be a playoff team and super bowl contender in 2020.
