ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos' 2024 schedule is here, so we're diving deep into the upcoming slate.
After previewing the schedule and providing a list of the most-compelling games, we're going game by game for a closer look at the upcoming schedule.
Week 1: Broncos at Seahawks (Sunday, Sept. 8, 1:05 p.m. PT, CBS)
Last meeting: 2022 – Seattle 17, Denver 16
A year ago: Seattle finished 9-8 (third in NFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Geno Smith. The 2013 second-round pick continued his resurgence in 2023, as he made his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Smith threw for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season for the Seahawks.
Major storyline: Who's at QB? The Broncos are expected to hold a three-player quarterback competition this offseason between Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Will the Broncos' 2024 first-round pick make his debut in Week 1? Or will the Broncos roll with a veteran? No matter which player is under center, he'll have to navigate one of the league's toughest environments against a talented defense led by new Seattle head coach — and former Ravens defensive coordinator — Mike Macdonald.
Week 2: Broncos vs. Steelers (Sunday, Sept. 15, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)
Last meeting: 2021 – Pittsburgh 27, Denver 19
A year ago: Pittsburgh finished 10-7 (third in AFC North) and lost in the wild-card round.
Player to know: OLB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year has led the NFL in sacks in three of the last four seasons, including 2023 when he posted 19 quarterback takedowns. Watt will be a stiff test for the Broncos' offensive line and whomever is under center.
Major storyline: Russ returns? The Steelers signed Russell Wilson in the offseason, and he is expected to compete for the starting job in Pittsburgh. Wilson could face off against his former team in the Broncos' first home game of the season.
Week 3: Broncos at Buccaneers (Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. ET, FOX)
Last meeting: 2020 – Tampa Bay 28, Denver 10
A year ago: Tampa Bay finished 9-8 (first in NFC South) and lost in the divisional round.
Player to know: QB Baker Mayfield. The former first-overall pick earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after joining the Bucs ahead of the season. Tampa Bay got the most out of Mayfield, who led the Buccaneers to a division title in Year 1.
Major storyline: Near the end of last season, Head Coach Sean Payton mentioned the struggles the Broncos had with early kickoff times at points in 2023. Will Denver be able to navigate their first early kick on the east coast of the season?
Week 4: Broncos at Jets (Sunday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Last meeting: 2023 - New York 31, Denver 21
A year ago: New York finished 7-10 (third in AFC East) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: CB Sauce Gardner. The two-time first-team All-Pro joins Pat Surtain II among the top cornerbacks in the league. He'll be a challenge for the Broncos to face no matter which receiver he lines up against.
Major storyline: There's no shortage of storylines for this one. The Broncos will again face former head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who is the Jets' offensive coordinator. Denver could also see Aaron Rodgers, who missed nearly all of the 2023 season after a Week 1 injury. Plus, depending on how the quarterback battle shakes out, Wilson could start for the Broncos against the team that drafted him with the second-overall pick. The game will also mark John Franklin-Myers' first game against his old team.
Week 5: Broncos vs. Raiders (Sunday, Oct. 6, 2:05 p.m. MT, FOX)
Last meeting in Denver: 2023 - Las Vegas 17, Denver 16
A year ago: Las Vegas finished 8-9 (second in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: DL Maxx Crosby. The Raiders pass rusher has been a menace against the Broncos, recording 13.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles in 10 career games against Denver. He has recorded at least one sack in 9 consecutive games against the Broncos and posted a 9-1 record vs. Denver.
Major storyline: Can the Broncos get off the skid? Denver snapped its streak against Kansas City last year, but the Broncos have lost eight consecutive games to the Raiders. The game in Denver was a one-point decision, and the Broncos will look to get on the right side of the ledger in Antonio Pierce's first game against Denver since earning the full-time head-coaching gig.
Week 6: Broncos vs. Chargers (Sunday, Oct. 13, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)
Last meeting in Denver: 2023 - Denver 16, Los Angeles 9
A year ago: Los Angeles finished 5-12 (fourth in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: WR Quentin Johnston. The Chargers moved on from both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in the offseason, which will push Los Angeles' 2023 first-round pick into a larger role. Johnston caught 38 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie and could face off against Surtain.
Major storyline: It's hard to find more head-coaching power than there is in this one. Payton and the Broncos will face Jim Harbaugh for the first time since Harbaugh's return to the NFL after winning a national championship at Michigan. This game could also be of interest in Eugene, Oregon if Nix faces off against Justin Herbert. Of note: Nix — while at Auburn — earned a win in his first collegiate start over Herbert's Ducks.
Week 7: Broncos at Saints (Thursday, Oct. 17, 7:15 p.m. CT, Prime Video)
Last meeting: 2020 - New Orleans 31, Denver 3
A year ago: New Orleans finished 9-8 (second in NFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Derek Carr. After all the battles between the Broncos and Carr when he played for the Raiders, Denver will face him for the first time with the Saints. Carr started all 17 games for New Orleans last season, throwing 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Major storyline: Payton's return. After nine playoff berths and a Super Bowl title as the head coach of the Saints, Payton returns to New Orleans for a "Thursday Night Football" matchup. The Saints still feature many of Payton's former players, while a slew of former Saints players and coaches have followed Payton to Denver. The Broncos will get a much-needed extended break after their first prime-time game of the year.
Week 8: Broncos vs. Panthers (Sunday, Oct. 27, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)
Last meeting: 2022 – Carolina 23, Denver 10
A year ago: Carolina finished 2-15 (fourth in NFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Bryce Young. The 2023 first-overall pick went through his share of rookie struggles last season, completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 starts. Young, though, now has a new set of offensive coaches, including head coach and former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Major storyline: Former defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero now holds the same title in Carolina, and several of Denver's former players — including linebacker Josey Jewell — have joined him with the Panthers. Jewell started 58 games during his six seasons in Denver and was a fan favorite during his tenure with the Broncos.
Week 9: Broncos at Ravens (Sunday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Last meeting: 2022 – Baltimore 10, Denver 9
A year ago: Baltimore finished 13-4 (first in AFC North) and lost in the AFC Championship Game.
Player to know: QB Lamar Jackson. We're not trying to pick a quarterback for each game, but Jackson will always be the player to watch for the Ravens. He earned his second MVP award following the 2023 season, during which he led the Ravens to the first-overall seed and an AFC Championship Game appearance.
Major storyline: Improving the run defense was an area of emphasis for the Broncos this offseason, and they made several key additions along the defensive line. Against the Ravens' potent rushing attack, they'll get a tough test to see how much they've improved. The game against the Ravens also kicks off perhaps the toughest two-game stretch of Denver's season.
Week 10: Broncos at Chiefs (Sunday, Nov. 10, 12 p.m. CT, CBS)
Last meeting in Kansas City: 2023 – Kansas City 19, Denver 8
A year ago: Kansas City finished 11-6 (first in AFC West) and won Super Bowl LVIII.
Player to know: TE Travis Kelce. It feels like Kelce has been the choice here for years, and he remains a key player for the Chiefs even as he enters his 12th NFL season. He's earned nine consecutive Pro Bowl nods and caught 93 passes for 984 yards in 2023.
Major storyline: The Broncos finally snapped their streak to Kansas City in 2023, which means this game can be more about the contest on the field rather than a talking point. Denver will get to see how it stacks up against the defending champions and have an opportunity for a momentum-building win.
Week 11: Broncos vs. Falcons (Sunday, Nov. 17, 2:05 p.m. MT, FOX)
Last meeting: 2020 – Atlanta 34, Denver 27
A year ago: Atlanta finished 7-10 (third in NFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Kirk Cousins. After a successful six-year stretch with the Vikings, Cousins joined the Falcons this offseason. He'll look to return from a season-ending injury to jump-start Atlanta's offense.
Major storyline: Though not specific to this game, the Falcons matchup represents a larger necessity for the Broncos. With tough road games against the Ravens, Chiefs and Raiders in this stretch, it will be critical for the Broncos to play well at home. Denver used a home winning streak to propel a midseason surge in 2023. Can they do the same in 2024 and improve on last year's 5-4 home record?
Week 12: Broncos at Raiders (Sunday, Nov. 24, 1:05 p.m. PT, CBS)
Last meeting in Las Vegas: 2023 - Las Vegas 27, Denver 14
A year ago: Las Vegas finished 8-9 (second in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: WR Davante Adams. Surtain and the Broncos have largely held him in check since he joined the Raiders, but the three-time first-team All-Pro is always a threat. He posted another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season in 2023.
Major storyline: The Broncos haven't earned a road win against the Raiders since 2015. Until they snap that streak, it will be mentioned when they head on the road to Las Vegas.
Week 13: Broncos vs. Browns (Monday, Dec. 2, 6:15 p.m. MT, ESPN)
Last meeting: 2023 – Denver 29, Cleveland 12
A year ago: Cleveland finished 11-6 (second in AFC North) and lost in the wild-card round.
Player to know: WR Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos traded Jeudy to Cleveland during the offseason, and a potential battle between Jeudy and Surtain will be must-see TV.
Major storyline: The Broncos' win over Cleveland was one of their most impressive victories of the 2023 season, as they held Myles Garrett in check and got after Cleveland's offense. Can they do the same in 2024 against a potential playoff team in prime time?
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: Broncos vs. Colts (Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)
Last meeting: 2022 – Indianapolis 12, Denver 9 (OT)
A year ago: Indianapolis finished 9-8 (third in AFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Anthony Richardson. The Florida product showed flashes of greatness before a season-ending injury after four games last year, but he should be back for this matchup. He'll be a challenge for the Broncos' defense to contain both through the air and on the ground.
Major storyline: The Broncos' bye comes late in the season and is the team's latest since 2001. Will the Broncos look refreshed and rejuvenated for the final stretch of the season?
Week 16: Broncos at Chargers (Sunday, Dec. 22, 1:05 p.m. PT, FOX)
Last meeting in Los Angeles: 2023 - Denver 24, Los Angeles 7
A year ago: Los Angeles finished 5-12 (fourth in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: T Joe Alt. The fifth-overall pick should bolster the Chargers' offensive line, and the Broncos' pass rush will face a tough test as they try to get to Herbert.
Major storyline: The Broncos swept the Chargers last season. Late in the season, can they earn a road divisional win to bolster their playoff chances?
Week 17: Broncos at Bengals (Saturday, Dec. 28 or Sunday, Dec. 29; Date, time and broadcast TBD)
Last meeting: 2021 – Cincinnati 15, Denver 10
A year ago: Cincinnati finished 9-8 (fourth in AFC North) and did not qualify for the postseason.
Player to know: QB Joe Burrow. The former Heisman Trophy winner missed the end of the 2023 season, but he'll be a major test for Denver's defense in this Broncos' final road game of the year.
Major storyline: The Broncos play back-to-back road games three times in 2024, with a trip to Cincinnati wrapping up their road slate. Their ability to navigate the road slate will be a determining factor in the team's performance in 2024.
Week 18: Broncos vs. Chiefs (Saturday, Jan. 4 or Sunday, Jan. 5; Date, time and broadcast TBD)
Last meeting in Denver: 2023 – Denver 24, Kansas City 9
A year ago: Kansas City finished 11-6 (first in AFC West) and won Super Bowl LVIII.
Player to know: QB Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos' home win over the Chiefs last season was made possible by harassing Mahomes and forcing him into three turnovers. They'll aim to do the same in the final game of 2024.
Major storyline: Could this be a win and in? It's hard to guess in May what this game will mean, but just imagine the atmosphere at Empower Field at Mile High if the Broncos need to go through their division rival to make the playoffs. This could be an electric — and critical — finish to the season.
