The Bo Nix era is about to kickoff in the Mile High City.
After a busy offseason, that saw Russell Wilson & Justin Simmons leave and Nix arrive, will Sean Payton have more success in 2024 with the Denver Broncos than he did in his first season where the team went 8-9?
For the first time since John Elway in 1983, the Broncos will be starting a rookie quarterback in Week 1.
How will the 12th-overall pick do his rookie season? How will he do in his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks?
The DNVR Broncos Crew breaks it down.
All odds below are courtesy of bet365.
What will the Broncos’ record be in 2024?
Zac: 10-7 — This Broncos team is about to shock the country. For the first time since Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos will be in the playoffs.
Last year, Sean Payton took a team that wasn’t fully his and a quarterback that he did not jive with to an 8-9 record. After moving on from Russell Wilson, Payton landed a quarterback in Bo Nix that sees the game the exact same way he does. That, plus this team having even more of Payton’s stamp on it will lead to even more success in 2024.
Nix will be in the Rookie of the Year conversation from the start of the season until the end.
As Payton said numerous times this year, a young and hungry team can be very dangerous. For this year’s Broncos, it will be dangerous.
Henry: 9-8 — The Broncos took a major step forward last season, jumping from five wins to eight. I expect growth, but it might be minimal.
The roster isn’t as good as last year’s team. Justin Simmons is gone. Lloyd Cushenberry is gone. Josey Jewell is gone. Jerry Jeudy is gone. I think the Broncos downgraded at each of those positions. While a healthy Baron Browning or Greg Dulcich could mitigate those downgrades, injuries are likely to occur again at some point this season.
The biggest change is at quarterback. Bo Nix is a better fit for the Broncos than Russell Wilson, but Wilson held his own in 2023. Of the 32 NFL quarterbacks who threw the most passes last year, Wilson ranked eighth in passer rating. He came through in the clutch more often than not, ranking first in the NFL in fourth-quarter comebacks and second in game-winning drives. Wilson had plenty of flaws, but I don’t expect an upgrade at quarterback in Nix’s rookie year.
While I think the Broncos moved a step backward talent-wise, I also think that continuity will help them in 2024. A second year in the same systems should be valuable. Denver is also a young team, and growth from the players still on the roster should help them.
Picks Picks Picks
Bo Nix passing yards vs Seahawks over/under 203.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Over
Bo Nix passing touchdowns over/under 1.5 (over +210)
Zac: Over
Hank: Under
Bo Nix interceptions over/under 0.5
Zac: Under
Hank: Over
Geno Smith passing yards over/under 238.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Over
Bo Nix rushing yards over/under 17.5
Zac: Over Over Over
Hank: Over
Javonte Williams rushing yards over/under 50.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Over
Kenneth Walker rushing yards over/under 63.5
Zac: Under
Hank: Over
Courtland Sutton receiving yards over/under 49.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Over
Josh Reynolds receiving yards over/under 27.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Under
D.K. Metcalf receiving yards over/under 58.5
Zac: Under
Hank: Over
Jaxon Smith-Njigba receiving yards over/under 44.5
Zac: Over
Hank: Under
Broncos-Seahawks total points over/under 42
Zac: Over
Hank: Under
Broncos @ Seahawks (-6)
Zac: Broncos
Hank: Broncos
Ravens @ Chiefs (-3)
Zac: Ravens
Hank: Ravens
Raiders @ Chargers (-3)
Zac: Chargers
Hank: Raiders
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