Broncos 2022 NFL preview, schedule: can Denver repeat Manning winning formula with Wilson?
Russell Wilson will be the Broncos’ starting QB in 2022 - and that makes them a contender to take the AFC West crown from the Chiefs.
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 defence in the NFL.
Quarterback Wilson signed from Seahawks
Now, the Colorado team wants to replicate its Peyton Manning-led success between 2012 and 2015 with Russell Wilson, a 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 offence 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’ offence 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 offence, led by Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, and the passing offence 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 defence as talented as Denver’s, but they improved their depth in the front seven with pass rusher Randy Gregory and defensive tackle D.J. Jones. They also added LB Nik Bonitto in the Draft.
Although their secondary defence 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
