With the Broncos’ full schedule released Thursday, The Post sports staff predicts how things will turn out in Year 1 of the Sean Payton era.
Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter
Record: 8-9
The Broncos open with two home games and have a manageable finishing five-week stretch that features the Chargers twice, Detroit, New England and Las Vegas. They also have Sean Payton as their head coach instead of Nathaniel Hackett (he and Aaron Rodgers come to town in October, which will be fun). Is the roster markedly better than last year? On the offensive line it is. The rest? Debatable. So the initial projection is for a bump, but not a massive turnaround.
Ryan McFadden, Broncos reporter
Record: 9-8
After six straight losing seasons, Payton will lead Denver to an above .500 record in his first year at the helm. The key to the Broncos’ turnaround will be Russell Wilson, who should be 70% better under Payton’s guidance. The running back situation is still up-in-the-air, but if the wide receivers can stay healthy, Wilson will have more than enough weapons to work with. Defensively, Denver should be solid although its depth at defensive line is questionable. Expect Denver to be playing in meaningful games late in the season.
Mark Kiszla, columnist
Record: 17-0
Only a fool attempts to predict the Broncos record on the fine spring day when the NFL schedule is released. But I don’t know what on earth is wrong with the rest of you fools. Why so negative? May is for unbridled optimism. Denver has a real football coach for a change. And quarterback Russell Wilson can’t possibly be as bad as he was a year ago. In May, everybody’s undefeated. Until further notice.
Sean Keeler, columnist
Record: 9-8
Can’t say the NFL didn’t learn its lesson when it comes to Russell Wilson and prime-time TV. Last year, Denver landed four night kicks before the midseason bye. This time around? One before Week 9 and three after. Still — nine tilts against teams projected to win more than nine games in ’23, with five of those on the road? Nathaniel Hackett wins 4-5 games with this dance card. Fortunately, Sean Payton is no Nate Hackett.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor
Record: 9-8
Sadly, a return to the playoffs isn’t in the cards for the Broncos, with a season-ending loss at Las Vegas moving the postseason drought to eight seasons. Still, the fact that head coach Sean Payton keeps them in it until the bitter end, delivering the franchise’s first winning record since 2016, is enough to offer hope for the future.
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