Breaking down the AFC West schedules to predict final standings
By Drew Brooks
The Broncos only earned two primetime games, and have a brutal schedule ahead considering their offensive struggles. Here’s what the full season schedule looks like (all times Central Time):
- Week 1 – Monday, Sept. 9 – Broncos @ Raiders* – 9:20 p.m.
- Week 2- Sunday, Sept. 15 – Bears @ Broncos – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 3 – Sunday, Sept. 22 – Broncos @ Packers – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 4 – Sunday, Sept. 29 – Jaguars @ Broncos – 4:25 p.m.
- Week 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6 – Broncos @ Chargers – 3:05 p.m.
- Week 6 – Sunday, Oct. 13 – Titans @ Broncos – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 7 – Thursday, Oct. 17 – Chiefs @ Broncos*** – 7:20 p.m.
- Week 8 – Sunday, Oct. 27 – Broncos @ Colts – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 9 – Sunday, Nov. 3 – Browns @ Broncos – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 10 BYE WEEK
- Week 11 – Sunday, Nov. 17 – Broncos @ Vikings – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 12 – Sunday, Nov. 24 – Broncos @ Bills – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 13 – Sunday, Dec. 1 – Chargers @ Broncos 3:25 p.m.
- Week 14 – Sunday, Dec. 8 – Broncos @ Texans – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 15 – Sunday, Dec. 15 – Broncos @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 16 – Sunday/Saturday, Dec 21/22 – Lions @ Broncos – TBD
- Week 17 – Sunday, Dec. 29 – Raiders @ Broncos – 3:25 p.m.
- * = Monday Night Football ** = Sunday Night Football
*** = Thursday Night Football
It won’t take long for new Broncos head coach Vic Fangio to reunite with his former team, the Chicago Bears, where he served as defensive coordinator. The two teams will meet in Week 2 and, though the Bears are a better team on paper, Fangio will be trying to prove himself and the game should be an exciting one.
Considering the Chiefs’ struggles on Thursday Night Football, an upset game to watch will be when the Broncos host the Chiefs in Week 7. Despite the Chiefs’ dominance in the AFC West, historically they struggle on Thursday night. It could be a good opportunity for the Broncos to grab an AFC West win against a more talented Chiefs team.
The Broncos schedule is not friendly at all, and my prediction is that the Broncos will finish 6-10, beating the Raiders, Chiefs, Titans, Vikings, Bills, and Lions.