The 2024 Denver Broncos - The Dark Horse 🐎

After a full 180 makeover of the roster and identity of the franchise, Sean Payton's new-look Broncos produced a promising training camp that resulted in their first undefeated preseason since 2021. Going 3-0 in the preseason doesn't mean all that much. However, going from a coach who seemingly didn't understand what the preseason is all about to this does mean a lot. Sean stated that winning in the preseason was important to him. He proved he's not just saying these things, but means them and intends to have our team in a position to deliver on goals he finds important.

While covering some of the training camp, the first thing I personally noticed was the vibe. The Broncos have a young team, and that's just a fact, but the team doesn't FEEL young. They seem mature beyond their years during interviews and while on the field. Yeah, I saw a lot of players bouncing around and having fun, as you should during training camp, but for the most part... everyone looked loose, happy, and laser-focused. In my opinion, having a young team with an elite coach, no pressure/expectations, and having that young team completely bought into the coach's system the way they are is something teams wait years for, especially during a rebuild. The Broncos organization hasn't looked/felt this way in almost a decade.

There are a lot of talented players I'm eager to watch develop this season. Before I list a couple, I wanted to shout out one of the laziest sports takes you might hear all season long! It's a conversation in which Mark Schlereth (🐐) is preaching that Denver's over/under for season wins at 5.5 is set way too low. I couldn't agree more with the tweet he read: "The Broncos are a lot more talented than the national media gives them credit for.... They have talent. It's just not name value talent. I don't know what the record will be, but I'm hammering the over." To which his colleague Craig Carton said: "The Broncos are gonna STINK! There is NO talent. That over/under should be 2.5." I'm totally speculating when I say this, but I assume he watched a total of zero (0) minutes of Broncos preseason football or training camp. If he actually did watch and believes they can't win 3 games, then... lord 😅. LINK TO WATCH: https://x.com/RyansBurner13/status/1828135149718126806

THE TALENT:

Let's start with the chosen one: Bo Nix finished his 5-year college career as one of the most productive quarterbacks in NCAA history. The Heisman Trophy finalist finished as the Ducks' all-time leader in completion percentage (74.9) while ranking third in passing touchdowns (74) and fifth in passing yards (8,101). Bo was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 after throwing for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns + SIX rushing touchdowns. Must be untalented though! 😉 Jokes aside, his college career proves he's a talented football player, but can that translate into the NFL? I was leaning yes. Then... the preseason production came. Now, as you will see by my season predictions for the team below, I believe Bo will be in the running for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Overall, Bo Nix posted a 76.7% completion percentage on 23/30, 205 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, & 0 interceptions. Going 8-9 for 80 yards and a touchdown in his only start in the preseason. The numbers are good, but they aren't the reason why I believe he's going to make a run for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Yes, I LOVE the efficiency and the lack of mistakes, but for me, the eye test is what did it. Watching how poised he was each and every snap, regardless of the outcome of the previous play or the current yardage or down, was, in my opinion, something special. Again, very small sample size, and the regular season will bring different pressure/nerves, but I haven't seen many first-year guys act that poised in any preseason start. Can't wait to watch him play his game.

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Picking two players to highlight is not easy! I'm really looking forward to Riley Moss and what he can do when healthy. Cooper/Bonitto are two of the most exciting talents on defense in this league, and I know we'll see one of those names atthe top of the sack leaderboard all season long. However, I'm going to highlight another exciting offensive talent, Jaleel McLaughlin. As much of Broncos Country knows, there were many times last season that the offense couldn't get anything going. On several occasions, Jaleel sparked the offense with a 15+ yard run by creating something out of absolutely nothing. His agility and ability to make defenders miss are so valuable and fun to watch. I'm looking forward to Sean Payton utilizing McLaughlin's ability to get positive yards almost every touch he gets. When a player averages 5.4 yards per carry and 5.2 yards per reception (most of which were screen/dump passes), you need to get them the ball more often. I ran into Phillip Lindsey at Broncos Training Camp, and he seemed to have the same feeling I do about Jaleel 👂 👀 👇

MY PREDICTIONS: THE DARK HORSE 🐴

If I could title my predictions for this years Denver Broncos squad it would read: Dark Horse. I truly think the mix of being overlookied and underated with our young talent being coached by the likes of Sean Payton makes us a very dangerous team.

My first prediction is simple. The over/under for season wins is set at 5.5. Sean Payton has never won less than 7 games as a head coach. Yes, Drew Brees is a legend. But he also coached last years squad to 8-9. If Bo is as posied and collected as he seemes in the preseason we will soar over this line. Give me the over.

These next two predictionos define the Dark Horse title.