Early NFL picks, predictions for Week 1 of 2023 season

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /

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NFL Picks: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on January 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) @ Denver Broncos (5-12)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High

Given the expectations for both of these teams last season, a combined 11 wins from the Raiders and Broncos qualifies as astronomically underwhelming. These two teams were two of the biggest disappointments in the 2022 NFL season and now nobody really knows how to project them for this coming year.

The Raiders now have Jimmy Garoppolo operating Josh McDaniels’ offense once again in the 2023 season. He hasn’t done that since 2017 when he was still with the Patriots. Jimmy G. inherits an offense left behind by Derek Carr which includes Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, and All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs. Not to mention, the Raiders were able to land Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Denver Broncos made arguably the biggest move of any team in the 2023 offseason when they traded picks to the New Orleans Saints for head coach Sean Payton. Having Payton in the fold after the debacle that was Nathaniel Hackett could breathe some significant life into the Denver Broncos’ franchise.

But can Payton revive Russell Wilson’s NFL career? Wilson dealt with a variety of injuries last season, and he really just didn’t look like himself at all in 2022. My guess is we see a big bounce-back from Russ, but the leash will be relatively short. Sean Payton likes free agent Jarrett Stidham, who the Broncos brought in during free agency.

I think the Broncos win a game that could be considered a coin flip at this point.

Prediction: Broncos win 24-20

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