DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The 2020 NFL schedule has been released, and the Denver Broncos are looking to handle business for their first playoff berth in four years.
John Elway has indicated that he will not invest significant resources in an offensive makeover until he believes he has his franchise quarterback in place. If that’s the case, then the Hall of Famer believes he has the Broncos’ next star in second-year quarterback Drew Lock.
Denver finished 2019 with some momentum and Lock looked like a solid quarterback in going 4-1 and completing 64 percent of his passes to round out the season. His lone loss came at the hands of the Super Bowl LIV Champions.
Weeks 1-4
Final
Tennessee Titans
21
Denver Broncos
24
Denver has a chance to be very good against the run and if they are, teams like the Tennessee Titans will struggle to win against them. Ryan Tannehill is not likely to make enough big plays against a good secondary like Denver’s, and particularly not without time to get set. Denver wins this one on the heels of a strong running game and a defense that makes big stops on third downs.
Final
Denver Broncos
23
Pittsburgh Steelers
35
With Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, the Pittsburgh Steelers are an excellent football team. Big Ben has only engineered a losing record in two seasons since becoming the starter in 2004, one was in 2006 (when he was 7-8 as a starter), and one was in 2019 when we played in only two games. He’s healthy, he’s hungry, and he still has a great team around him. Denver has very little recourse for such a combination.
Final
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24
Denver Broncos
26
The Denver Broncos defense will be excited to face their biggest challenge of the season (at least on paper) and will be amped up as a result. Tampa Bay has invested heavily in building a contender around Tom Brady, but the offensive line will take some time and the defense is still not very good. Denver runs the ball effectively and holds Brady’s Boys at bay.
Final
Denver Broncos
19
New York Jets
14
Sam Darnold may or may not be a franchise quarterback, but what we do not is that when he’s under pressure, he’s not even an average quarterback. Von Miller gets to match up with a rookie left tackle in this one, and its a long day for Mekhi Becton. The No. 11 overall selection in the draft gets a baptism by fire, and gets burned.