Breaking down the Broncos’ 2025 schedule:

Week 1: Tennessee Titans at Broncos

Sunday, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

Cam Ward will be welcomed to the NFL by the best defense in the league in a rowdy environment. Best of luck to the young man, who should have a very nice career, but opening day might be a rough one for him.

The pick: Broncos 28, Titans 6 (Record 1-0)

Week 2: Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

It shouldn’t matter if it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones starting for the Colts. Denver’s defense can take care of either.

The pick: Broncos 24, Colts 9 (Record 2-0)

Week 3: Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

Last season, the road team won each game in this series. This season, that will flip.

The pick: Chargers 21, Broncos 17 (Record 2-1)

Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals at Broncos

Monday, Sept. 29, 6:15 p.m. (ABC)

Slowing down Joe Burrow is difficult for any defense, but if you’re going to play the Bengals, you usually want to do it at the start of the season. Cincinnati is just 2-5 in September over the last two seasons.

The pick: Broncos 31, Bengals 24 (Record 3-1)

Week 5: Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday, Oct. 5, 11:00 a.m. (CBS)

The fifth-best rush offense (and Saquon Barkley) from last season faces off against the second-best rush defense. An unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

The pick: Eagles 20, Broncos 14 (Record 3-2)

Week 6: Broncos at New York Jets (in London)

Sunday, Oct. 12, 7:30 a.m. (NFL Network)

London was kind to the Broncos in 2022. It will be again in 2025.

The pick: Broncos 24, Jets 10 (Record 4-2)

Week 7: New York Giants at Broncos

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

Another matchup against old pal Russell Wilson, although he might not be starting by Week 7. This begins a stretch where the Broncos leave home for just a few days over a 45-day span. 

The pick: Broncos 31, Giants 10 (Record 5-2)

Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at Broncos

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

While the Broncos have been quietly taking care of their own with some big extensions during training camp, Jerry Jones is doing his best to push star player Micah Parsons out the door. No wonder Sean Payton values stable, drama-free ownership.

The pick: Broncos 28, Cowboys 21 (Record 6-2)

Week 9: Broncos at Houston Texans

Sunday, Nov. 2, 11:00 a.m. (Fox)

If the sophomore season for Bo Nix looks similar to C.J. Stroud’s sophomore year, would that be such a bad thing? It’s hard to play quarterback in the NFL, after all.

The pick: Texans 27, Broncos 24 (Record: 6-3)

Week 10: Las Vegas Raiders at Broncos

Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

It could be easy for the Broncos to look ahead one week to the matchup with the Chiefs, but Payton won’t allow that. Beating the Raiders at home must become a habit.

The pick: Broncos 17, Raiders 14 (Record 7-3)

Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

Something has to give when Payton has 10 days and Andy Reid has 14 to prepare for this juggernaut matchup.

The pick: Chiefs 20, Broncos 17 (Record: 7-4)

Week 12: Bye Week

Week 13: Broncos at Washington Commanders

Sunday, Nov. 30, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)

Nix vs. Jayden Daniels in primetime. Some games like this doesn’t live up to the hype, but with both teams rested and coming off their bye weeks, this one will.

Broncos 28, Commanders 27 (Record: 8-4)

Week 14: Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

The AFC West is going to be a gantlet and the Raiders should be better with a real head coach and a playmaker in running back Ashton Jeanty.

The pick: Broncos 24, Raiders 14 (Record: 9-4)

Week 15: Green Bay Packers at Broncos

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

Is there a team that drafts better than the Packers? They’re young, talented and will cause the Broncos problems in the middle of December.

The pick: Packers 21, Broncos 17 (Record: 9-5)

Week 16: Jacksonville Jaguars at Broncos

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

Travis Hunter can do pretty much anything, but he can’t play all 11 positions at once …. unless cloning is perfected between now and December.

The pick: Broncos 31, Jaguars 13 (Record 10-5)

Week 17: Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Thursday, Dec. 25, 6:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

A blocked kick stood between the Broncos and a victory at Arrowhead in 2024. With the division on the line, they won’t let it come down to a final-seconds snap. Santa brings Broncos fans everywhere one last Christmas gift before heading to the North Pole for another 364 days.

The pick: Broncos 20, Chiefs 14 (Record 11-5)

Week 18: Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos

TBD

This game may or may not matter all that much. But considering it’s the Chargers, it’s a safe bet half their team will be on injured reserve.

The pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 13 (Record 12-5)