Broncos 2021 Schedule

The NFL released the 2021 schedule on Wednesday and for the first time ever, the league is going to a 17 game regular season over 18 weeks. This was something NFL fans knew was coming for a few years, but here it is. The Broncos will have nine home games and eight road games this year, so that is something that works out in Denver's favor. Without further ado, here is the Broncos 2021 schedule with analysis down at the bottom....

Week 1-Sunday September 12, 2021: at NY Giants-4:25pm EST (FOX)

Week 2-Sunday September 19, 2021: at Jacksonville-1:00pm EST (CBS)

Week 3- Sunday September 26, 2021: vs NY Jets-4:05pm EST (CBS)

Week 4- Sunday October 3, 2021: vs Baltimore-4:25pm EST (CBS)

Week 5- Sunday October 10, 2021: at Pittsburgh-1:00pm EST (FOX)

Week 6- Sunday October 17, 2021: vs Las Vegas-4:25pm EST (CBS)

Week 7- Thursday October 21, 2021: at Cleveland-8:20pm EST (FOX/NFLN)

Week 8- Sunday October 31, 2021: vs Washington-4:25pm EST (FOX)

Week 9- Sunday November 7, 2021: at Dallas-1:00pm EST (FOX)

Week 10- Sunday November 14, 2021: vs Philadelphia-4:25pm EST (CBS)

Week 11- Sunday November 21, 2021: BYE WEEK

Week 12- Sunday November 28, 2021: vs LA Chargers-4:05pm EST (CBS)

Week 13- Sunday December 5, 2021: at Kansas City-1:00pm EST (CBS)

Week 14- Sunday December 12, 2021: vs Detroit-4:05pm EST (FOX)

Week 15- Sunday December 19, 2021: vs Cincinnati-4:05pm EST (CBS)

Week 16- Sunday December 26, 2021: at Las Vegas-4:25pm EST (CBS)

Week 17- Sunday January 2, 2021: at LA Chargers-4:05pm EST (CBS)

Week 18- Sunday January 9, 2021: vs Kansas City-4:25pm EST (CBS)

-The first thing that stands out for Denver is that this is the first time in 29 years that the Broncos are not scheduled for Monday Night Football. In fact, Denver is only scheduled for one primetime game this year (Thursday Night Football at Cleveland). I know that if they are having a good season, then the chances of them getting flexed in are probable, but the Broncos have been bad the last four years, and they don't deserve to be on primetime at this point. Win and they will get those primetime spots.

-I think the Broncos can take advantage of the opening three weeks. They visit the Giants in Week 1, visit the Jags in Week 2, and host the Jets in Week 3 in the opener. Vic Fangio and that defense gets to go up against Daniel Jones, rookie Trevor Lawrence, and rookie Zach Wilson in the first three weeks. There is a very solid chance Denver can be 3-0 to start the year.

-Denver hosts Washington on Sunday October 31st. From that day, they only travel once (at Dallas on 11/7) until a road game at KC on December 5th. They will basically spend the entire month of November at home including a bye week. That could be very big for them.

-The two toughest stretches in my opinion are from Weeks 4-7 where they host Baltimore, go to Pittsburgh, host the Raiders, and travel to Cleveland for TNF. Having the Ravens and Steelers back-to-back is really tough. The other stretch that is tough is the last three games: Hosting the Raiders, at Chargers, and home against KC the final week of the season. The AFC West will be very competitive next year, and those three games could decide the Broncos fate.

-Overall, I think it is a fair schedule for the Broncos. There are some very winnable games and weeks that they can get on a run (Weeks 1-3 and Weeks 13-14). After two straight years of 0-4 and 0-3 starts, it would be nice to see the Broncos get off to a fast start and ride that down the stretch and break a five year drought of missing the playoffs. 

Denver Broncos 2021 Draft Picks

 Here is the Broncos 2021 NFL Draft class......

Round 1 #9 overall: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

-Surtain should come in and start early or play very early on in nickel and dime situations. He should be an impact CB for this team for years to come.

Round 2 #35 overall: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina

-The Broncos traded up in the 2nd round to get Williams. He should be part of the 1-2 punch with Melvin Gordon at RB right away this year.

Round 3 #98 overall: Quinn Meinerz, OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater

-The small school stud dominated at the Senior Bowl. He should come in and be a depth guy at first on the line, but I could see him pushing Lloyd Cushenberry at Center or even Graham Glasgow at Guard at some point.

Round 3 #105 overall: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State

-Maybe Browning gets into the rotation at LB, but look for him to get some reps on defense and provide special teams help.

Round 5 #152 overall: Caden Sterns, S, Texas

-Sterns is probably not cracking the starting linuep at safety this year, but he adds depth and will probably contribute on special teams.

Round 5 #164 overall: Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana

-Johnson also won't get a ton of playing time at safety to start the season, and he will contribute on special teams.

Round 6 #219 overall: Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

-Williams provides depth at the WR position. He probably hopes to make it as a practice squad guy his rookie year.

Round 7 #237 overall: Kary Vincent, CB, LSU

-Vincent will try to make it as the 6th or 7th CB on the main roster. If not, he is a practice squad probability next season.

Round 7 #239 overall: Jonathan Cooper, LB, Ohio State

-Cooper could look to make the team as a depth guy and special teams contributor. If not, he is a practice squad candidate as well.

Round 7 #253 overall: Marquiss Spencer, DE, Mississippi State

-Spencer has to hope to make it as a rotational player on the defensive line, and if he doesn't, then he is a practice squad type player as well.