Denver Broncos 2015 Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game
On Tuesday, the 2015 NFL schedule was released with much fanfare. Two networks (ESPN, NFL Network) aired TV specials when the schedule was officially announced at 8 p.m. ET.
Denver Broncos fans were anxiously waiting to see what the schedule looked like for the AFC West champs. With prime-time games on Sunday Night Football (3), Monday Night Football (1) and Thursday Night Football (1), this season marks the fourth consecutive year Denver has been scheduled for at least five nationally televised contests.
Here is a breakdown of the 2015 schedule for the Broncos with win-loss predictions for every game.
Week 1: Vs. Ravens
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The Broncos kick off the 2015 season with a game against a team that new head coach Gary Kubiak knows well. Kubiak was the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens last year, and he gets his old team right off the bat.
The new Ravens offense will be ran by former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman, and that means they could be more pass-oriented than they were last season. This means quarterback Joe Flacco should be testing the Broncos secondary early and often.
Good thing for Denver their secondary is chock-full of incredible talent. The new Broncos defense led by Wade Phillips should be able to frustrate the Ravens with pressure and coverage.
Running back C.J. Anderson leads the way for the Broncos on the offensive side as he enters a showdown against another Cal running back in Ravens starter Justin Forsett.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Ravens 16
Week 2: At Chiefs
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It doesn’t take long for the Broncos to hit the road this year, as they travel to Kansas City for a Thursday night game against the Chiefs in Week 2. Arrowhead Stadium is always one of the toughest places to play in the entire league, but Denver simply has too much horsepower for the Chiefs to slow down.
The hostile crowd is quieted as the Broncos passing game is showcased more against a Chiefs defense that lost quite a bit of talent in free agency. The Broncos will have to contend with the Chiefs pass rush led by linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, and the new version of their offensive line will be tested.
The Broncos defense will be tested by superstar running back Jamaal Charles. If Denver has a problem at nose tackle, that could be exposed against a back like Charles early in the season. Alex Smith is no elite quarterback, but it will be interesting to see how much (and how deep) he tests the Broncos secondary with free-agent addition Jeremy Maclin.
Prediction: Broncos 35, Chiefs 17
Week 3: At Lions
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The Broncos get 10 days off between games after playing the Chiefs in Week 2. They get back-to-back nationally televised games as they travel to play the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.
The Lions offense is one of the more high-powered units in the entire league. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is a gunslinger who will have no problem testing the Broncos secondary. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the league, and even with a stout Broncos defense, he will be nearly impossible to shut down.
The Broncos offense should not be held back by the Lions defense playing without defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins) this year. Peyton Manning should be able to go after the Lions through the air with big-play receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Running back C.J. Anderson softens up the defense early, then he trounces them late to hold onto a small lead for the win.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Lions 27
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Week 4: Vs. Vikings
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Denver returns to the Mile High City for their Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings. This game could have a different look—and a different outcome—if running back Adrian Peterson is still with the team.
Peterson would be tough for the Broncos defense to slow down, especially if Sylvester Williams is not doing a good job of stuffing the run in the middle of the defensive line. Without Peterson, the Vikings would be much easier to contend with.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is a rising star who is looking for a standout year in his sophomore season. He’ll have a new deep weapon in wide receiver Mike Wallace (a former teammate of Emmanuel Sanders with the Pittsburgh Steelers), but the Broncos should be able to hold the Vikings passing game in check.
The Broncos will attack the Vikings through the air and on the ground, and their offense should have no problem moving the ball and putting up points against an inferior unit.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Vikings 17
Week 5: At Raiders
5 of 16
In the first five weeks of the season, the Broncos will play two games within the AFC West—both on the road. They will travel to play in the “Black Hole” in Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders are far from a good team, but they are making strides to become better. A big part of their improvement is second-year quarterback Derek Carr. He played well as a rookie, and the team has put better weapons around him on offense this season.
The Raiders defense has an intriguing young pass-rusher in linebacker Khalil Mack, but that side of the ball is a work in progress for the Raiders. They’ll have a difficult time beating the Broncos even though they are at home.
Prediction: Broncos 21, Raiders 14
Week 6: At Browns
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It’s another road game for the Broncos as they go to Cleveland to play the Browns in Week 6. In the game before the bye week, it’s important for Denver to enter their off week on a high note.
There are a ton of questions surrounding Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. The team added veteran Josh McCown this offseason to compete with Manziel for the starting job, and they may even select a quarterback with a premium pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Let’s just make the assumption that we’ll see Manziel under center for the Browns at this time of the season. His playing style is unorthodox, and he could struggle against a hyperaggressive Broncos defense.
The Broncos will be facing former AFC West foe in this matchup, as the Browns added former Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in free agency.
The Browns offense won’t be able to move the ball much against the Broncos. On the flip side, the Broncos offense should have no problem scoring early and often against Cleveland. Most Browns fans can’t stand John Elway, and this Elway-built team won’t give them any reason to celebrate.
Prediction: Broncos 30, Browns 10
Week 8: Vs. Packers
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After the bye week, the Broncos return for a huge game against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL, and they will be able to keep up with the Broncos offense.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be fearless against the Broncos defense, and weapons at wide receiver like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb will be difficult to slow down—even for a blitzing defense like the Broncos will have this season.
Running back Eddie Lacy—a player I felt the Broncos should have drafted over Montee Ball in 2013—will be able to take advantage of the Broncos defense up front. His punishing style will help keep the Broncos defense honest.
The Broncos offense should be able to go toe-to-toe with the Packers on the ground and through the air. This game will come down to a last-second field goal, and the Broncos will lose their first game of the year.
Prediction: Packers 38, Broncos 35
Week 9: At Colts
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It’s time for a playoff rematch—and perhaps a playoff preview—in another monumental game for the Broncos as they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. The Broncos' season was ended by the Colts last year in the divisional round, and they have an improved look for the 2015 season.
Andrew Luck is arguably the best quarterback in the game today, and the Colts went out and added better weapons around him for this upcoming season.
Running back Frank Gore comes to the team in order to lead the way on the ground. His bruising style is going to be difficult to contend with, especially given the fact that the Colts passing game is so good.
The passing game also gets a shot in the arm with veteran Andre Johnson. His size and run-after-the-catch ability on underneath routes is going to give the Broncos secondary problems. At least Wade Phillips will know how to properly cover wide receiver T.Y. Hilton this year (hint: Chris Harris, not Aqib Talib, like Jack Del Rio tried).
The Broncos offense will use the running game to keep Luck off the field late in the game, and Denver comes out on top—barely—in this clash of titans.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Colts 26
Week 10: Vs. Chiefs
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The Broncos face the Chiefs for the second time in 2015 with their Week 10 game in Denver. The Chiefs can give the Broncos fits at any location, and this time they put up a better fight than they did earlier in the year.
The new weapons around Alex Smith will have a better feel for what they can and can’t do at this point in the season, and Andy Reid will have a better game plan for dealing with the Broncos this time around.
With the Chiefs pass rush being so strong, expect a lot of screen passes and draw plays in this one. The Broncos will want to keep Peyton Manning as healthy as possible as they enter the second half of the season.
Prediction: Broncos 21, Chiefs 17
Week 11: At Bears
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It’s time for the Broncos to face their former head coach John Fox in his new home of Chicago. The Bears may have a different starting quarterback this season if they’re able to move up in the draft for Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.
For the sake of this article, let’s just assume that former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is still the Bears starter. Cutler is likely in a make-or-break season if he remains in Chicago. His risk-taking could bite him—and the Bears—multiple times in this game.
The Broncos are going to wreak havoc on Cutler with a mix of aggressive fronts and disguised coverages. Cutler doesn’t care about coverage, and he’ll be throwing off his back foot early and often against the Broncos.
Fox has revamped the defense in Chicago, and he will know exactly where Peyton Manning’s weaknesses are. What the Bears will have trouble with is C.J. Anderson and the Broncos ground game. Even with added beef on the defensive line, Anderson should be able to have his way with the Bears defense.
He leads the Broncos to the win over Fox.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Bears 10
Week 12: Vs. Patriots
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It seems like the Broncos are always traveling to play the New England Patriots during the regular season. This year, however, the Broncos get to face Tom Brady and company at home in Week 12.
This game will have serious implications on the playoff picture in the AFC.
If the Broncos win, then it will give them a leg up with a tiebreaker over the Patriots at the end of the year—if that tiebreaker is needed. Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is likely to be on the line between these two teams.
The Patriots secondary has changed over again this year, but head coach Bill Belichick has always known how to make Peyton Manning struggle. This time around, Manning doesn’t struggle, but the Broncos do fall short for their second loss of the regular season.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Broncos 24
Week 13: At Chargers
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The Broncos won’t face the San Diego Chargers until later in the year. The first game against arguably their main division rival doesn’t happen until the Broncos travel to San Diego in Week 13.
We will know more about the Chargers' quarterback situation after the draft. There are rumors swirling at this time that San Diego may trade Philip Rivers to the Tennessee Titans so they can select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick.
With Rivers, the Chargers could be the biggest thorn in Denver's side within the division. Without Rivers, the Chargers will struggle to make their way with a rookie quarterback.
The Chargers will also need to find a new lead back as Ryan Mathews moved on in free agency to the Philadelphia Eagles. There are too many questions surrounding this team to predict they’ll beat the Broncos in 2015.
Prediction: Broncos 35, Chargers 14
Week 14: Vs. Raiders
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It’s another divisional game for the Broncos—but this time at home—as they play the Raiders in Week 14.
The Raiders are improving, but they should still finish as the fourth team in the AFC West. Unless they add Adrian Peterson via trade, this team won’t be able to hang with a ferocious defense like the Broncos should have in 2015.
Once again, the Broncos roll to an easy win.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Raiders 10
Week 15: At Steelers
14 of 16
The Broncos are going to be tested by potential playoff teams late in the year. The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to be in the postseason mix, as they are most seasons.
On the road, the Broncos could struggle to slow down superstar running back Le’Veon Bell. He’s a fantastic runner between the tackles and in the open field. Bell is also an incredible receiver who can run routes like a wide receiver.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is arguably the best quarterback in the league when it comes to keeping plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Even though the Broncos will have a more aggressive defense this season, Roethlisberger is tough to get to—then he’s even tougher to bring down.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Broncos 20
Week 16: Vs. Bengals
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Back-to-back AFC North opponents will test the Broncos' mettle as the season winds down. The Bengals beat the Broncos in Week 16 last season, but that game was in Cincinnati.
The change in venue won’t slow down second-year running back Jeremy Hill. In last year’s game against the Broncos, Hill rushed the ball 22 times for 147 yards and one touchdown. His bruising style will be tough to contend with again this year, even with what should be a better defense.
The Broncos want to keep Peyton Manning healthy for the playoff run, and they turn things over to the running game in this one. The game is hard-hitting and close—and it could essentially go either way.
In an effort to avoid predicting the Broncos to go the cursed 13-3, we’ll have the Bengals win this one. The Broncos drop two in a row near the end of the year.
Prediction: Bengals 17, Broncos 16
Week 17: Vs. Chargers
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The Broncos wrap up their season against the Chargers at home. With a potential playoff spot—and perhaps the division title—on the line, the Broncos will want to win this game and ride into the postseason with momentum.
As stated in the earlier slide about the Chargers, there are just too many question marks surrounding this team to think they can beat the Broncos—especially if Denver does drop the previous two games to AFC North foes.
Denver wins this one going away, ramping up for what they hope is a run to Super Bowl 50.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Chargers 10
Final 2015 record: 12-4
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.
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