Denver Broncos record prediction: Picks for every game in 2020
By Samuel Teets
Week 10: at Las Vegas Raiders
It’s difficult to evaluate the Raiders. Last season, Derek Carr‘s team almost made a playoff push and finished with a 7-9 record, the same as Denver. However, the Raiders walk a thin line between being contenders and pretenders. In a stacked AFC West, Las Vegas sits at the bottom of the barrel.
The Broncos and Raiders split last season’s two-game series, with the Raiders capturing a win in Week 1 and Denver returning the favor in Week 17. However, with Lock in the driver’s seat, Denver dispatches Las Vegas in their first matchup of the 2020 season.
Prediction: Win
Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Denver faces Los Angeles twice in the final seven games of the season. The two teams share a lot of similarities. Both added a ton of talent in free agency and the draft, and both teams could be starting young quarterbacks by the time they face off in Week 11. Both of these divisional rivalry games could turn into toss-ups.
The Broncos swept the Chargers in their two-game series last season, but Denver only won those games by a combined ten points. I’ll give Denver the edge in Week 11 because I know who the team’s starting quarterback is while the Chargers might swap between Justin Herbert and Tyrod Taylor. However, I think the Chargers will get revenge against Denver in Week 16.
Prediction: Win
Week 12: vs. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are one of the five best teams in the NFL. With an offense led by Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas, New Orleans can put up points against any defense. The team even scored 46 points against San Francisco’s vaunted defense last season.
While the Broncos should be one of the most exciting teams in the NFL this coming season, it’s still a year two early to say they’ll compete with the perennial Super Bowl contenders. Barring some severe regression from Brees, the Saints should roll to another ten-win season while Denver battles for a Wild Card spot.
Prediction: Loss
Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs
By Week 13, the Broncos should have a better understanding of their ability to matchup against the Chiefs. However, Kansas City enters the 2020 season atop the league while Denver still has everything to prove. At this point, there’s no reason to assume the Broncos can match Kansas City’s high-flying offense.
Prediction: Loss