The NFL released their 2022 schedule, and the Denver Broncos saw some massive changes. With the addition of quarterback Russell Wilson, the league saw fit to feature the Broncos in seven nationally televised games, with five of those games scheduled for prime time.
Today, we will peek into the Daly Dose crystal ball, and predict exactly how each week will unfold.
Week 1 at Seattle Seahawks
The Broncos kick off the season with a Monday night visit to a very familiar foe. The Broncos pulled off the trade for Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks, and you just know that former Broncos quarterback Drew Lock and the Seattle faithful would like nothing more than to spoil Wilson’s debut. However, in the opener, Lock brings his A game, and manages to only fumble three times while throwing just a single interception. Lock supporters are quick to point out that if not for those four turnovers Lock would have outplayed Wilson. Broncos 24 Seahawks 10
Week 2 vs Houston Texans
Denver’s home opener brings the Houston Texans to town. The Texans are trying to improve on a 4-13 record from a year ago. They also must overcome the loss of their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was traded to Cleveland after all of his legal troubles. The Texans have a long way to go in the talent department, and they look tight in this Week 2 tilt. It could be the nervousness of a young team trying to find their way. Or maybe it is just because no one on the roster has been willing to get a stress relieving massage in two full seasons. Broncos 30 Texans 13.
Week 3 vs San Francisco 49ers
We will see a bit of a grudge match in Week 3 because the San Francisco 49ers are coming to town, and you might remember that the Broncos could have made a run at Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch back in 2017. The Broncos brain trust went a different way, and decided that Vance Joseph and John Elway would be better choices. Since then, San Fran has been to a Super Bowl and an NFC Championship game. The Broncos haven’t finished above .500. The karma is real. 49ers 23 Broncos 16
Week 4 at Las Vegas Raiders
The Broncos head to Sin City in Week 4 to face the hated Raiders, who surprised most everyone by making the postseason last year. But the Raiders fired their interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who had replaced Jon Gruden. Then they hired longtime New England Patriots offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. However, McDaniels soon realizes that Derek Carr is no Tom Brady and newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams realizes Carr is no Aaron Rodgers either. The Raiders and Broncos play a highly competitive game that harkens back to the bitter rivalry days. Russell Wilson leads the Denver offense on a last second drive for a game winning field goal. After the game, Carr is blamed for the Vegas defensive lapses too. Broncos 27 Raiders 24.
Week 5 vs Indianapolis Colts
Denver hosts the very talented Indianapolis Colts in Week 5, and while the Colts didn’t make the playoffs last year, they absolutely should have. Indy was blown out by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in the season finale as quarterback Carson Wentz saved his worst game for last. Following the season, the Colts jettisoned Wentz, and traded for 36 year old long time Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan. The Colts jump on Denver quickly, and look to have the game put away early with a 28-3 third quarter lead. But….I mean…this is Matt Ryan. Broncos 31 Colts 28.
Week 6 at Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos go to Los Angeles for a Monday night game against the Chargers in Week 6. The Chargers narrowly missed the playoffs last year, and new head coach Brandon Staley took some grief for being a little too aggressive with some of his in-game decisions. But against the Broncos this week, Staley’s moves pay off, and the Chargers hold a slight lead late in the game. However, the Broncos offense drives deep into Charger territory, and another late comeback win seems very possible until running back Melvin Gordon drops the football. Chargers 27 Broncos 23.
Week 7 vs New York Jets
The New York Jets are in the process of a massive rebuild and they are actually making some solid moves to put themselves back into a position to win some games. Head coach Robert Saleh seems to connect to his players, young quarterback Zac Wilson may prove to eventually be a star, and the Jets were able to draft Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner with the fourth overall pick. The future could actually be bright for the Jets. However, the future is not now, and this sauce appears to be burned. Broncos 27 Jets 10.
Week 8 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Denver gets the unenviable task of going to London for a 7:30 am start time game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. Nothing like an early start in the rain, after a few days of eating kidney pie, to play a game in front of a crowd that couldn’t really care less about American football to really get the pulse racing. Fortunately the Broncos offense shows up, and kicks the bloody Jags like Urban Meyer. Broncos 27 Jaguars 9.
Week 9 BYE WEEK Record 6-2
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
The Broncos return from the bye week to face the Tennessee Titans and their powerful running back Derrick Henry. He will be a problem for the Broncos defense, who is a little short on inside linebacker depth. Which makes it all the more confusing that general manager George Paton elected to pass on Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean, not once, but twice in the 2022 NFL Draft. When Henry torches the Denver defense for 156 yards and two touchdowns this week, many in the local sports media will openly question Paton’s thinking. To which he will respond, “At least I wasn’t the one who drafted Paxton Lynch.” Advantage: Paton. Titans 26 Broncos 20.
Week 11 vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders started the season fast, but injuries are taking their toll, and now head coach Josh McDaniels is involved in yet another investigation. It seems that McDaniels ordered some illegal filming of the Raider’s Week 3 opponent and McDaniel’s former team, the New England Patriots. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is furious and demands to know where McDaniels would learn such unethical practices. The Raiders don’t put up much of a fight here. Broncos 31 Raiders 13.
Week 12 at Carolina Panthers
The Broncos go to Carolina to face the Panthers in Week 12. We aren’t exactly sure who is going to be the quarterback in Carolina, as the Panthers will be deciding between the underachieving Sam Darnold and rookie Matt Corrall. Yet we know that anytime a team has an explosive, do everything running back like Christian McCaffrey, they can be very dangerou….annnnnnnnd he’s hurt again. Broncos 27 Panthers 16.
Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
Denver always seems to struggle against the Baltimore Ravens, their Week 13 foe. While the Ravens are struggling to find quality receiving targets for quarterback Lamar Jackson, the team will get a lift from the signing of free agent wideout Antonio Brown this week. Brown makes just three catches, but scores a late touchdown and then immediately burns down the Ravens locker room to the ground after the game. Not figuratively. He literally torches the building. Ravens 20 Broncos 17.
Week 14 vs Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night
The Broncos haven’t beaten the Kansas City Chiefs since 2015, a streak of 13 straight losses. But this Broncos team is a little different. The defense is improving, and quarterback Russell Wilson has brought a level of competency and toughness to an offense that desperately needed it. Still, it looks as though the Chiefs will continue the streak when their offense drives deep into Denver territory and face a first and goal to go at the Broncos 7-yard line. Trailing 31-28, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid calls four straight gimmick plays, including a quadruple reverse pass on 4th down instead of kicking the tying field goal. Streak broken. Broncos 31 Chiefs 28.
Week 15 vs Arizona Cardinals
The week before Christmas the Broncos host the Arizona Cardinals, who once again started strong, but are fading down the stretch. Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is beginning to take some heat for his team stumbling yet again in the latter part of the schedule. Undersized quarterback Kyler Murray is being criticized in the media about his play as of late. But that isn’t nearly as insulting as the Broncos defenders who keep asking Murray to give Santa their Christmas list. Broncos 23 Cardinals 13.
Week 16 at Los Angeles Rams Christmas Day
It is Christmas Day, a day where hope abounds and the possibilities are endless. However, the Broncos will be spending their Christmas day facing the defending Super Bowl champion Rams in their home city of Los Angeles. Between a challenging opponent, and a city that crushes dreams, the Broncos open their stocking to find a lump of coal. Rams 31 Broncos 20.
Week 17 at Kansas City Chiefs New Years Day
Happy New Year! The Broncos ring in 2023 by traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the division leading Kansas City Chiefs. Sure, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the world at his feet. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. He is about to be a five time Pro Bowler. He won the league MVP award in 2018, and was the Super Bowl LIV MVP in 2020. He will lead the Chiefs to a victory on this cold day in Kansas City, and he has his team in contention for another championship. Yet somehow, none of us would trade places with the guy, if we had to put up with his fiancee and that brother. Chiefs 27 Broncos 24.
Week 18 vs Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos regular season comes to a close with a rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos now have a 10-6 record, and a win will ensure a playoff spot, and a Wild Card game in Denver. However, the Broncos start slow and have to rally late to tie the game at 27 with a five yard touchdown run by running back Javonte Williams. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a chance to be a hero, but throws an ill advised pass that is intercepted by Bronco cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Russell Wilson leads a game winning drive that ends in a field goal to finish the season in breathtaking fashion. Was it Mile High Magic, or just the ghost of Marty Schottenheimer? Who cares? The Broncos are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Broncos 30 Chargers 27.
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