Breaking down the 2026 Broncos schedule:

Week 1: Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Monday, Sept. 14, 6:15 p.m. (ABC)

Better to visit Arrowhead in September as opposed to December, but the Chiefs have something to prove after missing the postseason.

The pick: Chiefs 17, Broncos 14 (Record 0-1)

Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars at Broncos

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

An opportunity for the Broncos to exact a little revenge for the Jaguars taking them down last December.

The pick: Broncos 24, Jaguars 17 (Record 1-1)

Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at Broncos

Sunday, Sept. 27, 6:20 p.m. (NBC)

The Rams show why they’re the Super Bowl favorites by making a statement against a very good Broncos team on the road.

The pick: Rams 28, Broncos 17 (Record 1-2)

Week 4: Broncos at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, October 4, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

It doesn’t get any easier in Week 4. But if history tells us anything, expect the 49ers to be down a body or three at this point in the season, which could be the difference.

The pick: Broncos 21, 49ers 17 (Record 2-2)

Week 5: Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

Justin Herbert is 3-0 against Bo Nix thus far in his career. He does it again in another tightly contested matchup between the divisional foes.

The pick: Chargers 27, Broncos 24 (Record 2-3)

Week 6: Seattle Seahawks at Broncos

Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

With both teams playing on a short week a few days after important divisional matchups, home-field advantage turns out to be the difference, allowing the Broncos to break even after an early gantlet.

The pick: Broncos 16, Seahawks 13 (Record 3-3)

Week 7: Broncos at Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)

Ten days of rest and a pushover opponent provide the proper ingredients for a Broncos team to lay a whooping on a bad Cardinals team.

The pick: Broncos 34, Cardinals 6 (Record 4-3)

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

At home, the Broncos even the season series against the Chiefs as their offense starts to find a consistent rhythm.

The pick: Broncos 28, Chiefs 20 (Record 5-3)

Week 9: Broncos at Carolina Panthers

Sunday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. (CBS)

You never say no to a bye week and the Broncos head into their week off humming along as the schedule eases up a bit.

The pick: Broncos 31, Panthers 14 (Record: 6-3)

Week 10: Bye Week

Week 11: Las Vegas Raiders at Broncos

Sunday, Nov. 22, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

It might be Fernando Mendoza time at this point for the Raiders, which would be music to the ears of all Broncos defenders.

The pick: Broncos 28, Raiders 13 (Record: 7-3)

Week 12: Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

Friday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m. (Prime Video)

A bit of an unexpected slip-up on a short week, as the Broncos fall to an aging Steelers squad on the road.

The pick: Steelers 20, Broncos 17 (Record 7-4)

Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Broncos

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2:05 p.m. (Fox)

A few extra days off give the Broncos the juice they need to smoke a Dolphins team that is retooling.

Broncos 28, Dolphins 10 (Record: 8-4)

Week 14: Broncos at New York Jets

Sunday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. (CBS)

Geno Smith led the NFL in interceptions last season. He will be in the Christmas spirit, gifting the ball to the Broncos’ secondary in this one.

The pick: Broncos 27, Jets 13 (Record: 9-4)

Week 15: Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders

Sunday, Dec. 20, 2:25 p.m. (CBS)

At this point in the year, the Raiders will be ready to pack it in for another long summer. Because of that, the Broncos will eat well.

The pick: Broncos 31, Raiders 17 (Record: 10-4)

Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Broncos

Friday, Dec. 25, 2:30 p.m. (Netflix)

Josh Allen and former Broncos assistant Jim Leonhard play the role of Grinch for Broncos fans, ruining Christmas and stealing an important game for both teams in the standings.

The pick: Bills 21, Broncos 20 (Record 10-5)

Week 17: Broncos at New England Patriots

TBD

Both teams acquired new weapons for their young quarterbacks that will make an impact. But the Patriots learn that facing Bo Nix is a bit more difficult than taking on Jarrett Stidham.

The pick: Broncos 23, Patriots 20 (Record 11-5)

Week 18: Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos

TBD

This could be a tremendously important game. Or it could look a bit like last year’s season finale where Herbert doesn’t make it this far because his offensive line falls apart. Either way, the results will be similar.

The pick: Broncos 24, Chargers 17 (Record 12-5)