Denver Broncos record prediction: Picks for every game in 2020
By Samuel Teets
Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans
Behind Derrick Henry‘s destructive running style, the Titans went to the AFC Championship last year. While Tennessee’s playoff success caught fans by surprise, the Titans could carry their momentum from the end of last season into 2020. Unlike last year, Ryan Tannehill will start at quarterback immediately instead of Marcus Mariota, who is now in Las Vegas.
The Broncos added a lot of pieces this offseason, including Tennessee’s Jurrell Casey, but there’s still too much of a gap to assume Lock can lead Denver to victory. While Lock impressed last season, he only appeared in five games. It’s too soon to trust him against Mike Vrabel’s team.
Prediction: Loss
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Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers battled to an 8-8 record last season, despite missing Ben Roethlisberger for 14 and a half weeks. With Roethlisberger returning from injured reserve and most of Pittsburgh’s dominant defense preparing for another round, the Steelers should give Denver a lot of trouble.
Despite Pittsburgh’s edge on the defensive side of the ball, many questions about Mike Tomlin’s team remain. Until we see Big Ben back in action and Pittsburgh’s offense running as it did in 2018, Denver deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Prediction: Win
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Broncos got significantly better this offseason, but the Buccaneers should be one of the top ten teams in the league. Lock isn’t ready to knock off some of the league’s living legends, and Denver’s defense can’t match Tampa Bay’s stacked offense.
Denver’s best hope for victory in Week 3 is that Bradley Chubb and Von Miller roast Tampa Bay’s offensive line and keep Brady on his toes. Otherwise, the Buccaneers should walk away with a significant victory.
Prediction: Loss
Week 4: at New York Jets
The Jets are the definition of a 7-9 or 8-8 football team. Week to week, the Jets can challenge some teams. For instance, New York upset Dallas in Week 6 last year and ended Oakland’s playoff push in Week 12. The Jets should also win more games this year, considering Sam Darnold missed three games in 2019 with mono.
However, New York’s roster composition is all over the place. The Jets did slightly improve their offensive line this offseason, but the receiving corps got worse when Robby Anderson left. The defense also remains a mosh pit of various skill levels. Ultimately, Denver should overpower the Jets.
Prediction: Win