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Broncos 2022 NFL preview, schedule: can Denver repeat Manning’s winning formula with Wilson?

The Denver Broncos were competitive in 2021 with Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterbacks and posted a 7-10 record thanks to having the third-best defense in the NFL.

Quarterback Wilson signed from the Seahawks

Now, the Colorado team wants to replicate his Peyton Manning-led success between 2012 and 2015 with Russell Wilsona veteran QB with Super Bowl experience, after acquiring him in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks during the offseason.

Wilson will take the reins of the Denver franchise’s offense under the guidance of new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. These additions have changed the face of the team and will allow them to compete against the Chargers, Raiders and Chiefs for the AFC West crown.

Under Hackett, the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, the focus of the Broncos’ offense will be on the passing game, with wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton to the fore. However, Wilson won’t have all his receiving corps available to him, as Tim Patrick suffered torn ligaments in his right knee and has been ruled out for the season.

Something that will be beneficial for both the rushing offense, led by Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, and the passing offense is that the Denver franchise has reinforced its offensive line with offensive tackles Billy Turner and Tom Compton.

Broncos bolster defensive depth chart

It was hard to add value to a defense as talented as Denver’s, but they improved their depth in the front seven with pass rusher Randy Gregory and defensive tackle DJ Jones. They also added LB Nik Bonitto in the draft.

Although their secondary defense has lost Kyle Fuller to the Baltimore Ravens, the Broncos replaced him by bringing in K’Waun Williams. The rookie Damarri Mathis will compete with Williams for the starting spot at the nickel position.

Christmas game, Jaguars matchup in London

The Broncos will have six games in primetime and one in London. The primetime clashes will be divided into two Monday Nights (Week 1 and Week 6), two Sunday Nights (Week 3 and Week 14), one on Thursday (Week 5) and the last one as part of the NFL’s first ever Christmas tripleheader ( Week 16). The game in the UK will be against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9.

Denver Broncos: brief fact file

Record in 2021: 7-10

Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High

Super Bowl titles: 3 (XXXII, XXXIII and L)

Head coach: Nathaniel Hackett

Offensive coordinator: Justin Outten

Defensive coordinator: Ejiro Evero

Broncos’ 2022 NFL schedule

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
at Seahawks vs. Texans vs 49ers at Raiders vs Colts
Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10
at Chargers vs Jets at Jaguars BYE at Titans
Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15
vs Raiders at Panthers at Ravens vs Chiefs vs Cardinals
Week 16 Week 17 Week 18
at Rams at Chiefs vs Chargers

See also: NFL fantasy football – ranking the QBs