Record: 10-7-0 (3rd in AFC North)
Head Coach: Sean Payton (2nd Year)
Preseason Expectations
The Broncos shocked the NFL world three years ago when they acquired quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks for a ransom of picks and serviceable talent Drew Lock and Noah Fant. Two years later, the Broncos once again shocked the NFL World, releasing Russell Wilson and taking on an $85,000,000 dead cap. (Yahoo Fantasy).
As the offseason continued, the Broncos made another major move to dismantle their offensive core, sending Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for draft picks. Without their top wide receiver and a star quarterback, the Broncos were picked to be one of the weaker teams in the AFC, despite having a stellar defensive unit. Sitting with the 12th pick in the draft, the Broncos took the gamble on former Oregon and Auburn quarterback Bo Nix to be the future of the franchise. With expectations being fairly low, the Broncos entered the 2024 season with nothing to lose.
The Surprise Run of Form
Despite starting the season with back-to-back losses against Seattle and Pittsburgh, the Broncos got off to a hot run in the first half of the season. The stretch of 6 games from Week 3 to Week 8 saw Denver hold their opponents under 20 points five times—their week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers being the only exception. The Broncos held their opponents to an average of 13.5 points per game, outscoring them 147-81, and improving to 5-3.
Two painful losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs—both AFC Division Champions—dropped Denver back to .500. The Kansas City game ultimately being the lowlight of the season, as a botched snap cost Denver a win that should have halted their momentum. Despite the loss, the Broncos quickly rebounded. Winning four straight games and controlling their own destiny in the AFC Playoff race, and once again, it was the Broncos defense that did the damage.
Lockdown Defense in Denver
After the Broncos posted the 27th scoring defense in the NFL in 2023, the 2024 team was a different beast entirely. Led by 2024 Defensive Player of the Year and lockdown cornerback Pat Surtain II, linebacker and sack machine Nik Bonitto, and safety Brandon Jones, the Broncos defense improved to the 3rd best in the NFL, allowing just 18.3 points per game.
Ten different times this season, Denver held teams below their points per game (PPG). 311 points across the season are the 10th fewest and their 18.3 PPG allowed are the 11th fewest in the NFL in the 17 game era (Statmuse). Using those numbers as a baseline, here is the Broncos record against teams that scored more or less than their average points per game (18.3)
| BRONCOS Record By Opponents PPG | |
| More than 18.3 Points Per Game | 2-5 Record |
| Less Than 18.3 Points Per Game | 8-2 Record |
Offensive Fireworks
With the defense balling out, recording 23 takeaways this season, the Broncos offense exceeded expectations. In his age-29 season, the wide receiver Courtland Sutton recorded his first 1,000-yard season in five years.
Meanwhile, the running back room of Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for over 1,000 rush yards. Undoubtedly, the greatest surprise of the season was quarterback Bo Nix. The rookie quarterback out of Oregon shined in the passing game, recording 3,775 passing yards, the 5th most by a rookie quarterback since 2020 (Statmuse).
Nix’s most crucial performance came in week 18, when he led the Broncos to a 38-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, as Denver clinched their first playoff appearance since Super Bowl 50.
Playoff Bound:
The Broncos’ magic ran out in the AFC divisional round, as they faced a Buffalo Bills team that would move on to the AFC Conference Final. Against the Bills, Bo Nix and the Broncos failed to capitalize off their opening drive touchdown, as Buffalo would go on to score 31 unanswered points, with the final score being 31-7.
Despite the first-round loss, the Broncos exceeded the low expectations placed on them. Having lost their wide receiver one, not having a proven quarterback at the beginning of the season, the Denver Broncos defied the odds and have set themselves up for the 2025 season.
Entering the Offseason
The Denver Broncos currently have $37,000,000 in cap space (Spotrac). With their offensive line being one of the best in the league, Denver can afford to look in other directions in the offseason. Realistically, the Broncos should be a team that takes a wide receiver. If Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka becomes the last of the good receivers on the board, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Denver trade up. Egbuka has been a stud wide receiver, who amassed over 1,000 yards this season.
If he’s not available, the move becomes to take the best player available. A defensive interior lineman like Walter Nolan would not be a bad pick up for the Broncos, as he’d be another move to create pressure and allow Nik Bonitto the opportunity to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Should Denver go offensive, getting Bo Nix another weapon in the receiving game is the greatest priority. If they do that, there is a chance we see the Broncos go back to the playoffs again in 2025.
