Aric DiLalla

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.You've seen the schedule.

You know the home opener and when the bye week is and when the Broncos are in prime time.

We've offered our look at the most-compelling games and chatted through our initial observations. Now, it's time to dive deeper. We're going game by game for an in-depth look at the Broncos' 2025 schedule, and there's plenty of storylines to cover.

Week 1: Broncos vs. Titans (Sunday, Sept. 7, 2:05 p.m. MT, FOX)

Last meeting:2022 Tennessee 17, Denver 10

A year ago:Tennessee finished 3-14 (fourth in AFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: QB Cam Ward.The first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft could make his first career start against reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II and the NFL's third-ranked scoring defense in 2024.

Major storyline:Can the Broncos get off to a hot start?Denver will look to earn its first Week 1 win since 2021, and gaining early momentum could be critical before the Broncos head out to play four of their next five games on the road. The Week 1 matchup vs. Tennessee could give Denver's reinforced defense the chance to face off a rookie in his first career start, while new offensive weapons in Evan Engram and RJ Harvey could make their first impact as Broncos.

Week 2: Broncos at Colts (Sunday, Sept. 14, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting:2024 Denver 31, Indianapolis 13

A year ago:Indianapolis finished 8-9 (second in AFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: TE Tyler Warren.The Colts' 2025 first-round pick caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season at Penn State and could be a handful for Denver's defense.

Major storyline:Who will be at quarterback for Indy?The Broncos saw Anthony Richardson a year ago, and Denver picked him off twice while allowing him to complete just 44.7 percent of his passes for 172 yards. The Colts acquired Daniel Jones in the offseason, and the two former top-10 picks will battle for the job in the summer. Jones has made just one start against the Broncos in his career, as Denver earned a Week 1 win to begin the 2021 season.

Week 3: Broncos at Chargers (Sunday, Sept. 21, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting in Los Angeles:2024 Los Angeles 34, Denver 27

A year ago:Los Angeles finished 11-6 (second in AFC West) and advanced to the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Player to know: RB Omarion Hampton.The Chargers added to the backfield in the 2025 NFL Draft, as they selected the North Carolina running back with their top pick. Hampton rushed for more than 3,000 yards and posted 30 touchdowns over his final two seasons for the Tar Heels.

Major storyline: Who can grab an early edge in the division?The Week 3 matchup will be the earliest the Broncos and Chargers have met in a season since 2017, and it could be a chance for Denver to jump ahead of Los Angeles in the AFC West standings. While the Broncos play five of their six division games after Week 10, the Chargers have a front-loaded schedule. Los Angeles will play each of its AFC West opponents in the first three weeks of the season and will be coming off a short week to play the Broncos.

Week 4: Broncos vs. Bengals (Monday, Sept. 29, 6:15 p.m. MT, ABC)

Last meeting:2024 Cincinnati 30, Denver 24 (OT)

A year ago:Cincinnati finished 9-8 (third in AFC North) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: WR Tee Higgins.The Bengals re-signed both Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins during the offseason, and Higgins had 11 catches for 131 yards and three scores in a prime-time win over Denver. The Broncos added multiple pieces to their secondary with free-agent safety Talanoa Hufanga and first-round pick Jahdae Barron, which could help combat high-powered offenses like the Bengals.

Major storyline: Can the Broncos avenge last season's loss?Denver lost a heartbreaker in Cincinnati last year that would have clinched a playoff berth, and they'll get a chance to get revenge at Empower Field at Mile High. Bo Nix went toe to toe with Joe Burrow as the two combined for six touchdowns in the second half and overtime, and he'll again get a chance to prove himself against one of the NFL's best.

Week 5: Broncos at Eagles (Sunday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting:2021 Philadelphia 30, Denver 13

A year ago:Philadelphia finished 14-3 (first in NFC East) and won Super Bowl LIX.

Player to know: RB Saquon Barkley.The Eagles are stacked on both sides of the ball, but the task must start with slowing Barkley. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his first year in Philadelphia and was named Offensive Player of the Year. In four playoff games last year, he crossed the 100-yard mark on three occasions including a 205-yard performance against the Rams in the divisional round.

Major storyline: How do the Broncos stack up?The Broncos play both Super Bowl LIX teams in 2025, and they'll head across the country to face the defending champions on a short week. With Jalen Hurts, Barkley and A.J. Brown, the Eagles' offense has no shortage of weapons with which Denver's talented defense will need to contend. Former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who coordinates Philly's defense, leads the top-ranked group from 2024 that swarmed the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. As far as measuring stick games go, this feels like a big one.

Week 6: Broncos at Jets (Sunday, Oct. 12, 7:30 a.m. MT, NFL Network)

Last meeting:2024 Denver 10, New York 9

A year ago:New York finished 5-12 (third in AFC East) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: QB Justin Fields.Denver is 1-1 against Fields over the last two seasons, and the Broncos will aim to get back in the win column. Fields earned the win last year with Pittsburgh, but the Broncos held the Steelers to 13 points and Fields to a 13-of-20 for 117 yards and one touchdown stat line. A year earlier, Denver earned a comeback win, but Fields threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns in a matchup in Chicago.

Major storyline: How do the Broncos handle the end of a long road stretch?The Broncos will be on the road for a significant portion of the start of the season, and their trip to play the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium caps off a span of four road games in five weeks. This test comes against a familiar team they've met for five consecutive years and a quarterback in Fields that they've seen in each of the last two seasons.

Week 7: Broncos vs. Giants (Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting:2021 Denver 27, New York 13

A year ago:New York finished 3-14 (fourth in NFC East) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: QB Russell Wilson or QB Jaxson Dart or QB Jameis Winston.Really, it's whoever is playing quarterback. Will it be Wilson's first matchup against his former team? Or will Denver see a rookie quarterback for the second time in the first seven weeks of the season? Or do the Broncos play a rematch vs. Winston, who threw four touchdowns and two pick-sixes last year in a game in Denver?

Major storyline: How does Denver reacclimate?There will be no bye week following London, as the Broncos get right back to work. The home game against the Giants kicks off a stretch of four home games in five weeks quite the change from the preceding five weeks but will require the Broncos to readjust quickly. The Giants will be coming off a "Thursday Night Football" game and have plenty of rest, so the Broncos will need to lock in to be ready for the challenge.

Week 8: Broncos vs. Cowboys (Sunday, Oct. 26, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting:2021 Denver 30, Dallas 16

A year ago:Dallas finished 7-10 (third in NFC East) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: WR George Pickens.The Cowboys added to a receiving corps that already includes CeeDee Lamb as they traded for the Pittsburgh receiver. Pickens caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns last year in 14 games. While he caught just two passes for 29 yards against the Broncos, he did also draw multiple penalties.

Major storyline: Which defensive star can make an impact?The Broncos selected Surtain with the ninth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Cowboys selected Micah Parsons three picks later. Both players have two first-team All-Pro selections. Surtain has a Defensive Player of the Year award and three Pro Bowls. Parsons has a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and four Pro Bowls. And they're both capable of making game-changing plays. Can Surtain make one against Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb or Pickens?

Week 9: Broncos at Texans (Sunday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m. MT, FOX)

Last meeting:2023 Houston 22, Denver 17

A year ago:Houston finished 10-7 (first in AFC South) and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Player to know: CB Derek Stingley Jr.There's plenty of defensive talent on Houston's roster, including Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but Stingley earns the nod after being named a first-team All-Pro alongside Surtain. In Denver's last trip to Houston, Stingley recorded two second-half interceptions to prevent the Broncos from earning a come-from-behind win.

Major storyline: Can the Broncos start fast?Denver has just two early window kickoffs on its schedule, and they'll come at Houston and at Philadelphia. Two years ago in Houston, the Broncos were outscored 10-0 in the first quarter and trailed 13-0 before storming back and eventually having a late chance to win the game. Against a talented defense and a star quarterback in C.J. Stroud, the Broncos will need to be ready to play right away.

Week 10: Broncos vs. Raiders (Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m. MT, Prime Video)

Last meeting in Denver:2024 Denver 34, Las Vegas 18

A year ago:Las Vegas finished 4-13 (fourth in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: QB Geno Smith.The Raiders made a big move at quarterback in the offseason, as they traded for Seattle's starter for the last three seasons. Smith has faced the Broncos in two of the last three years and earned wins on both occasions. He was 18-of-25 for 171 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a rushing touchdown in last year's Week 1 matchup between Denver and Seattle.

Major storyline: How much better are the Raiders than in 2024?Denver snapped its losing streak to the Raiders and ultimately swept its division rival in 2024, but the silver and black made significant offseason changes. The Raiders hired Pete Carroll, traded for Smith and added running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft. After the Broncos won both games by double digits in 2024, have the Raiders closed the gap? The Broncos will hope to hold their division foe at bay and continue to push for the AFC West crown.

Week 11: Broncos vs. Chiefs (Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting in Denver:2024 Denver 38, Kansas City 0

A year ago:Kansas City finished 15-2 (first in AFC West) and advanced to Super Bowl LIX.

Player to know: WR Rashee Rice.The former second-round pick essentially played just three regular-season games last year, but he had two 100-yard outputs before suffering an injury. A year earlier, he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. If Rice is back in action against the Broncos, he'll be a challenge for Denver's secondary.

Major storyline: Can the Broncos make it three in a row?When the Broncos snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs in 2023, is it possible they started a streak of their own? If Denver can beat the Chiefs in Week 11, it would mark three consecutive home wins against the reigning AFC champions. The win would mean more than just a tally in the consecutive home win counter, of course. If the Broncos are going to chase the Chiefs down and win the division, the two head-to-head matchups will be critical. Denver will look to continue its home momentum and earn another win against Kansas City.

Week 12: BYE

Week 13: Broncos at Commanders (Sunday, Nov. 30, 6:20 p.m. MT, NBC)

Last meeting:2023 Washington 35, Denver 33

A year ago:Washington finished 12-5 (second in NFC East) and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.

Player to know: WR Deebo Samuel.The Commanders traded for the electric former San Francisco 49ers star in the offseason. Samuel earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and can line up all over the field.

Major storyline: Which second-year QB can lead their team to a win?This storyline may have been the easiest to choose of them all. After Nix and Jayden Daniels both posted spectacular rookie seasons, they'll guide their up-and-coming teams in a prime-time battle. The NFL scheduling formula means these players won't see each other often which only increases the anticipation and excitement around this game. There will be a lot more elements to this game than simply the two quarterbacks, but there's no question about what will grab the headlines.

Week 14: Broncos at Raiders (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2:05 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting in Las Vegas:2024 Denver 29, Las Vegas 19

A year ago:Las Vegas finished 4-13 (fourth in AFC West) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: DE Maxx Crosby.The four-time Pro Bowler missed five games to end the 2024 season but seems likely to return to the field with a vengeance. In 12 career games against Denver, Crosby has recorded 15.5 sacks.

Major storyline: Can the Broncos continue their road success in Las Vegas?The Broncos' 2024 win at Allegiant Stadium was their first win in that building, which opened in 2020. It also marked Denver's first road win over the Raiders in any locale since Chris Harris Jr. returned an interception for a touchdown in the Black Hole back in 2015. Now that the streak is snapped, can they keep it going?

Week 15: Broncos vs. Packers (Sunday, Dec. 14, 2:25 p.m. MT, CBS)

Last meeting:2023 Denver 19, Green Bay 17

A year ago:Green Bay finished 11-6 (third in NFC North) and advanced to the wild-card round.

Player to know: QB Jordan Love.In his second season as a starter, Love tossed 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to go with 3,389 yards in 15 games. He'll make his second appearance against the Broncos in Week 15, and the Broncos will look to earn another win. They held Love to 21-of-31 for 180 yards, two touchdowns and a game-sealing interception in 2023.

Major storyline: Can the Broncos bottle up Josh Jacobs?The former Raider found plenty of success against the Broncos when he played in Las Vegas, and he was often a thorn in Denver's side. A year ago, he signed with the Packers and led the team with 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. In all likelihood, Denver's defense will need to reacquaint itself with an old foe and prevent him from keeping the Packers in short-yardage situations.

Week 16: Broncos vs. Jaguars (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2:05 p.m. MT, FOX)

Last meeting:2022 Denver 21, Jacksonville 17

A year ago:Jacksonville finished 4-13 (third in AFC South) and did not qualify for the postseason.

Player to know: WR/CB Travis Hunter.The do-it-all Heisman Trophy winner is set to return to Colorado late in the year, and it will be extremely entertaining to watch him line up against Courtland Sutton or Pat Surtain II or both.

Major storyline: How does Trevor Lawrence look in Year 1 with Liam Coen?The former first-overall pick played just 10 games in 2024 as he suffered an injury, but he'll look to return to or exceed his 2022 Pro Bowl form in his first year working with the former Buccaneers offensive coordinator. Coen helped Baker Mayfield throw for 41 touchdowns in 2024, and now he'll look to help Lawrence take a similar leap. The Broncos may be in for a tough test in December.

Week 17: Broncos at Chiefs (Thursday, Dec. 25, 6:15 p.m. MT, Prime Video)

Last meeting in Kansas City:2024 Kansas City 16, Denver 14

A year ago:Kansas City finished 15-2 (first in AFC West) and advanced to Super Bowl LIX.

Player to know: TE Travis Kelce.The future Hall of Fame tight end's numbers were down in 2024, but he still ranked third in receptions and fifth in receiving yards among all NFL tight ends. Kelce caught eight passes for 64 yards and a fourth-down touchdown in the teams' meeting at Arrowhead last year.

Major storyline: Can Nix make history?The Broncos have struggled in December at Arrowhead, as just three Denver quarterbacks have won there. Can Nix become the fourth and in the process push the Broncos a step closer to their first division title since 2015? On Christmas Day in front of a national audience, it's hard to think of a better gift.

Week 18: Broncos vs. Chargers (Saturday, Jan. 3 OR Sunday, Jan. 4; Date, time and broadcast TBD)

Last meeting in Denver:2024 Los Angeles 23, Denver 16

A year ago:Los Angeles finished 11-6 (second in AFC West) and advanced to the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Player to know: WR Ladd McConkey.The 2024 second-round pick caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, and he had six catches on six targets for 87 yards in the Chargers' most recent meeting with the Broncos. Denver will need to slow the slot player to contain LA's offense.

Major storyline: What's at stake?Even in May, this feels like an important game. But what, exactly, will be on the line? Will we be watching a "Sunday Night Football" battle for the right to make the playoffs? Or to win the division? Both teams made the playoffs in 2024 and figure to look for more during the upcoming season. It feels fitting to have them battle it out during the final weekend of the regular season.