The Broncos’ 2024 schedule has been released.
In Sean Payton’s second season in Denver and first with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos will play three of their first four games on the road, with a matchup against a familiar face sandwiched in between.
The Broncos will also have to wait until Week 14 for a break after taking their bye week in Week 9 of last year.
With the season opener four months away, here are some things to watch out for in 2024.
Must-watch game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 2)
This game became a must-watch as soon as former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson signed with the Steelers. Wilson will come back to the Mile High City less than a year after Payton benched him for the final two games of the regular season. Whether or not Wilson has animosity about how his time in Denver ended, he has a chance to exact a little revenge.
Payton didn’t believe his partnership with Wilson would work, leading to the team cutting ties with the nine-time Pro Bowler, absorbing $53 million in dead cap money in 2024, and drafting Nix in the first round of the NFL draft. Wilson has an opportunity to march into Empower Field at Mile High and beat his former coach, who thought he wasn’t enough to provide an offensive spark. At the same time, Payton could show that Wilson was the problem and he was right all along. Denver should hope for the latter because a loss to Pittsburgh at home might sting worse than getting beat by the Jets last season.
Least-intriguing game: vs. Carolina Panthers (Week 8)
This one might not have fans running to their television screens. Both teams have struggled since squaring off in Super Bowl 50. The Panthers have had one winning season since 2016. Denver has had seven straight seasons with a losing record.
Maybe the matchup between Nix and Bryce Young might add some interest. However, Young is coming off an underwhelming rookie campaign, totaling 2,877 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Best team: Kansas City Chiefs
Even with the Baltimore Ravens on the schedule, the Chiefs remain the biggest hurdle. Kansas City has won two straight Super Bowls and three in the last five seasons.
Patrick Mahomes remains the best quarterback in the sport. The Chiefs added speed to their offense, signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and drafting Texas wideout Xavier Worthy, who ran the 40 in 4.21 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. And even though the Chiefs traded cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, their defense will still be a problem.
Yes, the Ravens had the best record in the AFC last season. But they lost three starting offensive linemen, and former defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald is now the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks.
Worst team: Panthers
Carolina had the worst record in the league last season at 2-15. Even with the additions of wide receiver Diontae Johnson, right guard Robert Hunt and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, the Panthers still have a long way to go under new head coach Dave Canales.
Best matchup: Payton vs. New Orleans (Week 7)
It’s only right that Payton’s return to New Orleans gets the prime-time treatment. On Thursday Night Football, the Broncos will face the Saints inside the Superdome, where Payton led one of the league’s best offenses for 15 seasons. The emotions are expected to be high among the Saints fan base since Payton represents the franchise’s glory days, including their lone Super Bowl victory in 2010.
Toughest stretch: Weeks 9-10
Facing two MVPs inside two hostile environments in back-to-back weeks isn’t a great recipe for success.
The Broncos will have a stretch where they will face the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and All-Pro running back Derrick Henry in Baltimore in Week 9 before taking on Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 10. Both teams are expected to enter the season as Super Bowl contenders, meaning this will be a big test for Nix and the rest of the young players on the roster.
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