WEEK 1
AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2:05 p.m., Sept. 8, CBS
Away we go. This doesn’t have quite as much juice now that Russell Wilson is no longer in Denver, but it’s still an interesting way to start the season. The Broncos go on the road and get a first-time head coach making his debut in Seattle’s Mike Macdonald. He’s the NFL’s new defensive poster boy. Perhaps it’ll be new coach vs. rookie quarterback in Bo Nix.
WEEK 2
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2:25 p.m., Sept. 15, CBS
The Broncos’ home opener is a big one, as Russell Wilson returns to Empower Field. Wilson is making $1.2 million from the Steelers this year and $37.8 million from the Broncos. Imagine if he’s got the ball late in the game with a chance to go down the field and win. You’ll be able to cut the tension in the building with a spoon.
WEEK 3
AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
11 a.m., Sept. 22, FOX
For the second straight year, the Broncos go to Florida in late September. Wouldn’t it be something if Baker Mayfield and the Bucs dropped 70 points like Miami did last year? More likely than that: Denver will find a way to stay out East for the week following this game because the next one is up the seaboard.
WEEK 4
AT NEW YORK JETS
11 a.m., Sept. 29, CBS
The Broncos pay a visit to Nathaniel Hackett, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. It’s the third season in a row these teams have met. What would make this one spicy is if Zach Wilson is starting at quarterback for Payton. Last year the Jets averaged 269 yards per game but had 407 against Vance Joseph’s defense.
WEEK 5
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2:05 p.m., Oct. 6, FOX
The Broncos have lost eight games in a row to the Raiders despite the fact that Las Vegas has made the playoffs only once in the past four seasons. In fact, a quarter of the Raiders’ wins the past four years have come against Denver. Here’s the first chance of the season for the Broncos to end the misery.
WEEK 6
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2:05 p.m., Oct. 13, CBS
Back-to-back division home games represent a chance to make a move regardless of how the first four weeks go. This will also be the reintroduction to Jim Harbaugh, the new coach of the Chargers who was a strong candidate for Denver’s job in early 2023. Oh, and potentially a matchup of former Oregon quarterbacks in L.A.’s Justin Herbert and Denver’s Nix.
WEEK 7
AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
6:15 p.m., Oct. 17 (Thursday Night Football), Amazon Prime
Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans, where he spent 16 years, comes in primetime. Even better for him: A short week of preparation meaning less time to get asked questions about the big event. It’s not just a reunion for Payton, either. The Broncos are littered with former New Orleans staffers and players. Think they know how to use the visiting side amenities at the Superdome?
WEEK 8
CAROLINA PANTHERS
2:25 p.m., Oct. 27, CBS
Several familiar faces in this one, including former Denver defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and inside linebacker Josey Jewell. The Panthers will be trying to take a step forward under new head coach Dave Canelas and second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
WEEK 9
AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
11 a.m, Nov. 3, CBS
Denver makes the trip to Baltimore for the second time in three seasons to face Lamar Jackson and the powerhouse that John Harbaugh’s built. One of three games on the schedule against a Harbaugh, as a matter of fact. The Ravens have had to retool their defensive coaching staff, but they figure to be powerful on both sides of the ball yet again.
WEEK 10
AT KANSAS CITY
11 a.m., Nov. 10, CBS
Find a tougher back-to-back set of road games in the NFL than this one. It’ll be a monumental task. The Broncos ended their long losing streak against the Chiefs last year but still haven’t won at Arrowhead Stadium since 2015. Denver allowed just one offensive touchdown to Kansas City in two games last year. That’s about as good as you can do it.
WEEK 11
ATLANTA FALCONS
2:05 p.m., Nov. 17, FOX
Will it be Kirk Cousins or rookie Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback? That’s a joke. Well, mostly. The Falcons have a bunch of exciting offensive pieces and a first-year head coach in Raheem Morris. Coming off a brutal road double, this is one the Broncos will need. It also shapes up to be the Elliss Bowl, with Denver’s rookie Jonah Elliss squaring off against his older brother, Falcons linebacker Christian Elliss.
WEEK 12
AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2:05 p.m., Nov. 24, CBS
A stretch of three road games in four weeks near the tail end of a long haul is nothing to sneeze at. Especially considering the Broncos’ hapless ways against the Raiders in recent years. Who will be playing quarterback for each team by the time this game rolls around? And will the Broncos go into Thanksgiving week thankful they grabbed Nix one spot before Las Vegas in the draft?
WEEK 13
CLEVELAND BROWNS
6:15 p.m., Dec. 2 (Monday Night Football), ESPN
A primetime game for now, though one could imagine it being a flex candidate if one or both of these teams is not playing well by the time December rolls around. Perhaps the Broncos’ best performance of 2023 was a powerful outing against the Browns at home. They’ll get a chance to reprise the good vibes.
WEEK 14
BYE
About as late as the bye week gets for the Broncos. Denver had better rest up after that Week 7 Thursday night game.
WEEK 15
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2:25 p.m., Dec. 15, CBS
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson got off to a promising start as a rookie but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He should be back in the saddle, setting up a potential battle of young quarterbacks. The Colts also visited Denver in 2022 and won one of the ugliest games you’ll ever see, 12-9 in overtime.
WEEK 16
AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2:05 p.m., Dec. 22, FOX
The Broncos dodged playing Christmas Day, but will head on the road on either side of the holiday. It starts with a trip west to face off against the Fighting Harbaughs. Denver’s beat the Chargers late in the season each of the past two years.
WEEK 17
AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
TBD, Dec. 28-29
Joe Burrow’s missed time over the past couple of years, but the Broncos are slated to face another of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Denver hasn’t played in Cincinnati since 2018. If Burrow’s healthy, the Bengals should be hot in pursuit of playoff positioning.
WEEK 18
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
TBD, Jan. 4-5
The Broncos ring in 2025 and send out the regular season with a home game against the Chiefs. The great thing about the NFL season is you never know what’s going to happen. Is there a chance Denver’s playing for something? Or that Mahomes and company haven’t wrapped up a ninth straight division crown by this point? Sure. Does it seem likely? That’s another story entirely.
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