Welcome back to prime time, Broncos!

Thanks, Russell Wilson.

The Denver Broncos’ official 2022 season schedule is out, and…. “Whoa, Nellie!”

Clearly the NFL and the 183 video services broadcasting pro football games next season recognize the importance of Russell Wilson at quarterback…

The Broncos are relevant with a capital W “and that stands for Wins” (obviously).

Tim Lynch predicted the Broncos’ regular season record after the schedule release came out, going with a bold 13-4 finish. But I don’t disagree.

Although the AFC West will provide the toughest opponents, the matchups are very winnable and make for some potentially great football once again in Denver.

But the season is no cakewalk just because Wilson is here. So let’s break this down a little more.

Toughest non-AFC West matchups

Week 1: Monday Night Football at Seahawks

Although I think the Broncos are a better team than the Seahawks, this will not be an easy game and I’m inclined to pick a loss here. For one thing, it’s on the road against Wilson’s former team – which is always more emotional than it seems like it should be. Just ask Peyton Manning how hard that is to go back and beat your former team at their place. It will also be the first real game for the new coaching staff and that always comes with some extra challenges. The good news is, if Drew Lock is the starting quarterback for the Seahawks by September, he’ll be just as jittery…and we know what that will mean. Dan Graziano says it’s “one of the year’s top Hard Feelings Bowl games.”

Week 13: Broncos at Ravens

Second half of the season. On the road. Against a perennially good defense with now an even stronger offense as the Ravens added o-line strength and top-notch tight ends to the skill arsenal. Not to mention, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards back to help Jackson when he doesn’t feel like running. It will be a huge test for the Broncos’ defense and coming a week before the Chiefs only adds to its difficulty level.

Toughest three-game stretch

Hands down, this goes to the final three games of the season. Already a tough time of year with injuries and fatigue, only the best of the best are in good form at this point in the season, and the Broncos will have to be in their best form to survive this gauntlet Weeks 16-18. And after somewhat of a “break” with Cardinals in Week 15, will have just faced Ravens and Chiefs back to back.

There is only one-word for the second half of the season …

Brutal.

Starting with the Christmas Day game at the Rams, Broncos better hope Santa put a big ol’ W in their stockings because taking on the defending champs at home is harder than convincing your kids Aunt Judy’s fruit cake will taste good this year.

The assignment will only get harder with another road game the following week, and yep, a December game at Arrowhead (why NFL schedulers, why???) I believe the Broncos will beat the Chiefs in Week 14 at home on Sunday Night Football, so the Chiefs – and their fans – will be particularly salty and ready for revenge.

And as if those games won’t do their best to kill your soul as a football fan, the Broncos will come home to finish the season against the Chargers, who should be outstanding this year if they don’t follow their typical mid-season implosion.

Which brings me to…

Most important game

Obviously there are a bunch of important games on this schedule that could be a deciding factor for the Broncos’ post-season hopes, but I think that final game with the Chargers could decide which second AFC West team is going to the playoffs.

I still think it’ll be the Chiefs’ division to lose and the Broncos and Chargers to duke out the No. 2 spot.

Game circled on the calendar

No question it’s Week 14.

This is the year.

This is the year the Broncos beat the mother $%&#@*! Chiefs. And they do it on Sunday Night Football at Mile High, with Russell Wilson throwing for five TDs and Randy Gregory pummeling Patrick Mahomes into the dirt. Over and over and over.

Away game I’m going to

Vegas Baby!

I hate Vegas, by the way. And I hate the Raiders.

So it seems totally appropriate to venture into enemy territory wearing my bright-a$$ orange Wilson jersey as I watch the Broncos beat the Raiduhs.

Oh, it’s happening. They are not losing that one.

Home game I’m going to

Come on, now.

It’s still Week 14.

It was always going to be Chiefs at Broncos.

Broncos/NFL News

Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy arrested, faces charge of criminal tampering with domestic violence enhancer
Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy was arrested Thursday afternoon by the Arapahoe County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Department and is facing a charge of second-degree criminal tampering with a domestic violence enhancer, a misdemeanor.

Denver Broncos owner candidate finishes visit Friday | 9news.com
Josh Harris left Denver after meeting with Broncos officials this week. He flew to watch his Philadelphia 76ers play the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs.

Denver Broncos 2022 NFL single game tickets on sale May 12 | 9news.com
Broncos will release inventory of single-game tickets for the 2022 season at Empower Field at Mile High Denver Colorado Ticketmaster Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Broncos reach four-year contract agreement with Nik Bonitto | 9news.com
Second-round edge rusher Nik Bonitto will get a $1.4 million signing bonus. Three other draft picks also agree to terms on four-year deals.

Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy arrested, faces charge of criminal tampering with domestic violence enhancer
Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy was arrested Thursday afternoon by the Arapahoe County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Department and is facing a charge of second-degree criminal tampering with a domestic violence enhancer, a misdemeanor.

Game-by-game breakdown of the Broncos’ 2022 schedule
The Broncos’ 2022 schedule is here, and we’re going in-depth.

2022 Denver Broncos schedule: Complete schedule and matchup information for 2022 NFL season
Over the final six games, the Broncos will face a stretch of quarterbacks — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (twice), the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, the Rams’ Matt Stafford and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert — with a combined 10 Pro Bowl

Report says Broncos owner is down to two frontrunners, team source disputes – DenverFan
Paige has several other interesting notes in his article:

• Walton is the favorite because he can outbid Harris, has a close connection to Kroenke and would likely build a new stadium to rival Kroenke’s in Los Angeles

• Both Peyton Manning and John Elway would like to be part of whoever wins the bid and join the ownership group

• Harris has put together an extremely impressive group of folks who have purchased other sports teams who would be partners (like Johnson)

However, according to a Broncos source, the process is not down to two finalists. The team is hosting multiple candidates, as the current step is still in the early stages. That is similar to what Paige tweeted above, changing his original reporting.

2022 Broncos prime-time schedule: Dates, matchup info and more for games vs. Seahawks, 49ers, Colts, Chargers and Chiefs
Denver will play five games on prime-time television this season, including four in the first six weeks.

Strength of schedule for every NFL Team in 2022 season – The Athletic
Rams, Cardinals, Bengals, Buccaneers rank in the top four, while all of the NFC East sits at the bottom

New England Patriots trading backup QB Jarrett Stidham to Las Vegas Raiders, source confirms
The Patriots are finalizing a trade of backup QB Jarrett Stidham to the Raiders, a source confirmed to ESPN, in a deal that also will see the teams flip late-round draft picks.

NFL schedule 2022 winners, best matchups, must-watch debuts, Super Bowl and win total predictions — Experts make their picks
Which games should you circle on your calendar? Which debut will be the most interesting? Which late-season matchups will matter most? Our panel weighs in.

Chiefs News /13: KC have toughest first half of schedule in NFL history – Arrowhead Pride
Boo hoo.

Game-by-game breakdown of the Broncos’ 2022 schedule
The Broncos’ 2022 schedule is here, and we’re going in-depth.

2022 Denver Broncos schedule: Complete schedule and matchup information for 2022 NFL season
Over the final six games, the Broncos will face a stretch of quarterbacks — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (twice), the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray, the Rams’ Matt Stafford and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert — with a combined 10 Pro Bowl

Report says Broncos owner is down to two frontrunners, team source disputes
However, according to a Broncos source, the process is not down to two finalists. The team is hosting multiple candidates, as the current step is still in the early stages. That is similar to what Paige tweeted above, changing his original reporting.

2022 Broncos prime-time schedule: Dates, matchup info and more for games vs. Seahawks, 49ers, Colts, Chargers and Chiefs
Denver will play five games on prime-time television this season, including four in the first six weeks.

Strength of schedule for every NFL Team in 2022 season – The Athletic
Rams, Cardinals, Bengals, Buccaneers rank in the top four, while all of the NFC East sits at the bottom

New England Patriots trading backup QB Jarrett Stidham to Las Vegas Raiders, source confirms
The Patriots are finalizing a trade of backup QB Jarrett Stidham to the Raiders, a source confirmed to ESPN, in a deal that also will see the teams flip late-round draft picks.

NFL schedule 2022 winners, best matchups, must-watch debuts, Super Bowl and win total predictions — Experts make their picks
Which games should you circle on your calendar? Which debut will be the most interesting? Which late-season matchups will matter most? Our panel weighs in.

Chiefs News /13: KC have toughest first half of schedule in NFL history – Arrowhead Pride
Boo hoo.