Nobody expected this. Honestly, if you looked at the Vegas odds back in August, the Denver Broncos were essentially a footnote in the AFC. The "experts" saw a roster gutted by the massive dead cap hit from Russell Wilson—a staggering $53 million—and a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix who was the sixth signal-caller taken in the draft. They predicted maybe five or six wins. A "tank year."
They were wrong.
The denver broncos schedule 2024 didn't just end with a winning record; it sparked a genuine revival in the Rockies. Sean Payton didn't just rebuild; he reloaded. By the time the dust settled on the regular season, Denver sat at 10-7, securing their first winning season since 2016 and their first playoff berth since the days of Peyton Manning.
The Brutal Start and the Turning Point
The season didn't start like a Cinderella story. It started like a nightmare.
Denver dropped the opener 26-20 in a loud, hostile Seattle environment. Then came a sluggish 13-6 loss to Pittsburgh at home. Bo Nix looked like, well, a rookie. He had zero touchdowns and four interceptions through two weeks. The "bust" labels were already being printed.
But Week 3 in Tampa Bay changed everything.
Payton, in a move that basically signaled "we’re not playing scared anymore," took the ball first after winning the toss. Usually, coaches defer. Not Payton. He wanted to show confidence in Nix immediately. It worked. Nix orchestrated a touchdown drive right out of the gate, and the Broncos crushed the Buccaneers 26-7. That was the spark.
Why the Middle of the Schedule Mattered
If you look back at the denver broncos schedule 2024, the stretch from October to November was where this team found its identity. They weren't just winning; they were winning ugly when they had to and dominant when they could.
- The MetLife Mud-Bowl: Week 4 against the Jets was disgusting. Rain, wind, and a rookie QB who couldn't grip the ball. Nix had -7 passing yards at halftime. Yes, you read that right. Negative seven. Yet, the defense held firm, and a 92-yard drive in the second half secured a 10-9 win.
- The Saints Revenge: Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans in Week 7 was personal. The Broncos didn't just win; they embarrassed the Saints 33-10 on Thursday Night Football.
- The Heartbreak at Arrowhead: Week 10 was the one that got away. Denver had the undefeated Chiefs on the ropes. They were lined up for a game-winning field goal as time expired. Blocked. The 16-14 loss was devastating, but it proved Denver could punch with the heavyweights.
Bo Nix and the Rookie Revolution
You can't talk about the 2024 season without talking about Bo Nix. He didn't just start; he shattered records.
Nix finished the year with 3,775 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Those aren't just "good for a rookie" numbers; they are "Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist" numbers. He became the first rookie in NFL history to have multiple games with 300+ yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
What’s even crazier? His home-road splits. Nix threw 19 of those touchdowns at Mile High. He turned Empower Field back into a place where visiting teams' hopes go to die.
The Defense Nobody Noticed
While everyone was watching the rookie QB, Vance Joseph was quietly building a monster. The Broncos finished with the 3rd-best scoring defense in the league, allowing just 18.3 points per game.
Pat Surtain II remained an island, earning another First-team All-Pro nod. But it was the "bargain bin" guys that made the difference. Zach Allen was a force on the interior, and Brandon Jones—who many fans were skeptical of after the team let Justin Simmons go—turned out to be a massive upgrade in the secondary.
2024 Schedule Results: A Game-by-Game Look
The path to 10-7 was a rollercoaster. Here is how the denver broncos schedule 2024 actually played out, showing the grit this team developed.
September: The Slow Burn
- At Seattle: L 20-26 (Nix struggles in the noise)
- Vs. Pittsburgh: L 6-13 (Offense looks stagnant)
- At Tampa Bay: W 26-7 (The breakout)
- At NY Jets: W 10-9 (The survival in the rain)
October: Finding the Groove
- Vs. Las Vegas: W 34-18 (Surtain’s 100-yard pick-six)
- Vs. LA Chargers: L 16-23 (A divisional reality check)
- At New Orleans: W 33-10 (Payton’s homecoming)
- Vs. Carolina: W 28-14 (Taking care of business)
November: The Gauntlet
- At Baltimore: L 10-41 (Lamar Jackson is a problem)
- At Kansas City: L 14-16 (The blocked kick heard 'round Denver)
- Vs. Atlanta: W 38-6 (Complete dominance)
- At Las Vegas: W 29-19 (Sweeping the Raiders)
December & January: Sealing the Deal
- Vs. Cleveland: W 41-32 (A Monday Night shootout)
- Vs. Indianapolis: W 31-13 (The playoff-clinching moment)
- At LA Chargers: L 27-34 (A tough road loss)
- At Cincinnati: L 24-30 (Coming up just short)
- Vs. Kansas City: W 38-0 (A Week 18 statement against a resting Chiefs squad)
The Playoff Run and the "What If"
Denver entered the playoffs as the top seed after a chaotic final week of the season. They hosted the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round—their first home playoff game in a decade.
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It was a classic. A 33-30 overtime thriller. Nix outdueled Josh Allen in the clutch, leading a game-winning drive that ended with a Wil Lutz field goal. But it came at a price. On the second-to-last play of the game, Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle.
The Broncos' season technically ended the following week in the AFC Championship without their leader, but the message was sent. Denver is back.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking at the denver broncos schedule 2024 as a blueprint for the future, here is what you need to know.
First, trust the process under Sean Payton. He took a team with the worst cap situation in the league and made them a contender in 24 months. Second, invest in Nix stock. His ability to process the game quickly fits Payton's "Air Coryell" hybrid system perfectly.
Finally, keep an eye on the 2025 offseason. With nearly $55 million in projected cap space and a full arsenal of draft picks, the Broncos are no longer the "ramshackle" unit the media described last summer. They have a foundation, a franchise QB, and a defense that can win games on its own. The "Russell Wilson Fallout" is officially over.
Next Steps for Broncos Fans:
- Check the official team store for those new "Sunset Orange" jerseys—they are finally staying in stock.
- Watch the All-22 film of the Atlanta game to see how the offensive line has become the team's secret strength.
- Keep an eye on the injury reports regarding Bo Nix’s ankle surgery; he’s expected to be 100% by training camp.
The 2024 season wasn't just about a schedule. It was about a team finally finding its soul again.