Breaking down the Broncos’ 2024 schedule:

Week 1: Broncos at Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

Bo Nix’s first career start comes in the wild-and-crazy environs of Seattle, which shows the fifth-best home winning percentage (66.3) in the NFL since the 2000 season. Good luck, kid.

The pick: Seahawks 23, Broncos 16 (Record: 0-1)

Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos

Sunday, Sept. 15, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

There’s an easy way to welcome Steelers QB Russell Wilson back to Empower Field at Mile High: Count down the play clock when Pittsburgh has the ball. Can’t lose here, Coach Payton.

The pick: Broncos 23, Steelers 22 (1-1)

Week 3: Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m. (Fox)

With a Vegas win total of 7.5 — to the Broncos’ 5.5 — the Bucs are a sneaky-important game.

The pick: Bucs 20, Broncos 17 (1-2)

Week 4: Broncos at New York Jets

Sunday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. (CBS)

In a parallel universe, Jets QB Aaron Rodgers would be Denver’s quarterback with Nathaniel Hackett still holding head coach duties. Instead, Rodgers leads a Super Bowl contender.

The pick: Jets 26, Broncos 16 (1-3)

Week 5: Las Vegas Raiders at Broncos

Sunday, Oct. 6, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

Denver has never beaten Las Vegas. The Raiders’ rivalry win streak stands at eight straight.

The pick: Broncos 27, Raiders 23 (2-3)

Week 6: Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos

Sunday, Oct. 13, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

As a quarterback, Jim Harbaugh went 2-2 with three TDs and seven interceptions vs. Denver.

The pick: Broncos 20, Chargers 19 (3-3)

Week 7: Broncos at New Orleans Saints

Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

Watch for The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson’s feature on Payton’s return to NOLA.

The pick: Saints 33, Broncos 16 (3-4)

Week 8: Carolina Panthers at Broncos

Sunday, Oct. 27, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

Only two teams have a win total equal to or less than Denver: the Panthers (5.5) and Pats (4.5)

The pick: Broncos 30, Panthers 13 (4-4)

Week 9: Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. (CBS)

The last time Denver beat Baltimore: 2015, during the Super Bowl 50 season. Since then, 0-3.

The pick: Ravens 26, Broncos 17 (4-5)

Week 10: Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. (CBS)

Sean Payton’s biggest Broncos win so far was ending Kansas City’s 16-game winning streak.

The pick: Chiefs 24, Broncos 20 (4-6)

Week 11: Atlanta Falcons at Broncos

Sunday, Nov. 17, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

Former CU Buffs linebacker Nate Landman will team with ex-Bronco Justin Simmons in Atlanta.

The pick: Falcons 22, Broncos 17 (4-7)

Week 12: Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders

Sunday, Nov. 24, 2:05 p.m, (CBS)

When the NBA moves to Las Vegas, fans could get Nuggets-Broncos weekend doubleheaders.

The pick: Raiders 23, Broncos 22 (4-8)

Week 13: Cleveland Browns at Broncos

Monday, Dec. 2, 6:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Pat Surtain vs. Jerry Jeudy in the latter’s return to Denver? That will be appointment television.

The pick: Broncos 20, Browns 17 (5-8)

Week 14: BYE

Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Broncos

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

Expect Peyton Manning on hand – and here’s hoping Colts QB Anthony Richardson visits, too.

The pick: Colts 26, Broncos 20 (5-9)

Week 16: Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday, Dec. 22, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

Payton has praised his rookie class as a franchise building block. We’ll know by now if he’s right.

The pick: Chargers 20, Broncos 17 (5-10)

Week 17: Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, Dec. 29 (TBD)

Cincinnati has the third-shortest odds to reach Super Bowl LIX — behind the Chiefs and Lions.

The pick: Bengals 27, Broncos 17 (6-10)

Week 18: Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos

Sunday, Jan. 5 (TBD)

Will the Chiefs sit their starters? The AFC West shapes up to be K.C. and everyone else.

The pick: Broncos 24, Chiefs 16 (6-11)