Broncos vs. Commanders: Week 2 Bold Predictions & Picks
Well, that didn't go the way we thought it would. The Denver Broncos lost their home opener, but Week 2 offers a chance to balance the scales with the Washington Commanders coming to town.
The Broncos are 0-1, while the Commanders are 1-0. Who comes out on top?
Let's go around the Mile High Huddle table to see how our staff envisions Week 2 unfolding for the Broncos.
James Campbell (@JamesC_MHH) 0-1: This is a winnable game for the Broncos — at home, needing a bounce-back win, and playing against a team starting Sam Howell at quarterback. But this game is a litmus test for Denver, and it could genuinely go either way. Defense will probably win the day, especially in the ground game. For the Broncos, being able to exploit the weaknesses in Washington's linebackers in the passing game is made much more difficult without tight end Greg Dulcich, while they must generate more pressures on defense. In this one, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat are going to have their way with a Denver offensive line that is still building chemistry at this stage in the season, disrupting the offense and keeping the Broncos off-schedule. Howell and Washington's talented receiving corps does just enough on the road to condemn the Broncos to a second defeat.
Pick: Commanders 17, Broncos 13
Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL) 0-1: Last Sunday's defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders makes it more tricky backing the Broncos to beat the Commanders. Head coach Sean Payton has been stressing how much the Broncos learned about themselves after coughing up a game they should have won. The key moving forward is putting the pedal to the metal and seeing whether Russell Wilson's wheels can still turn. Jerry Jeudy's return to the lineup helps get things going a little bit, and some good fortune sees the Broncos stumble over the winning line.
Pick: Broncos 21, Commanders 14
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 0-1: The prospect of starting the season in a hole at 0-2 with some tough games ahead makes this a must-win game for the Broncos. I see the Broncos' defense having a bounce-back game against a young quarterback in Howell. The Broncos force a couple of big turnovers, giving the offense some opportunities to score. Wilson will rely a lot more on his legs in this one because of Washington's D-line and ends up with two rushing touchdowns while leading the offense to help squeak out the first win of the Payton era.
Pick: Broncos 24, Commanders 17
Mike Evans (@MHHEvans) 0-1: Broncos' redemption or a repeat disaster? After last week's facepalm-worthy loss, Denver's 'must-win' cliché has never felt more apt. M.I.A. outside linebackers and ghostly tight ends, it's high time you lived up to your hyped headlines, especially the latter with Wilson's need to take timely shots downfield. All eyes will be on the Broncos O-line’s ability to fend off the Commanders' fierce front four. Broncos, it's time to take a step forward.
Pick: Broncos 20, Commanders 17
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 0-1: Unfortunately, the last six seasons have instilled a culture of losing in the Broncos. As we all witnessed versus the Raiders, it will take more than a snap of Payton’s fingers to change that culture. Until the Broncos prove they can do the little things correctly and win games, it's difficult to pick them to be victorious in any contest.
Pick: Commanders 20, Broncos 17
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 0-1: To echo Tom, I'm inclined to pick against the Broncos until Payton proves he's got a handle on the issues that led to Week 1's humiliating loss. Ever the eternal optimist, though, I'm burying my doubts — for now. The Raiders beat Denver, in large part, due to a savvy, experienced QB. Howell is the antithesis of Jimmy Garoppolo. Howell is young, raw, and vulnerable to the vagaries of inexperience. Vance Joseph schemes his way to pressuring Howell, even without Frank Clark, forcing a pair of takeaways, which Wilson and company exploit with points. Justin Simmons accounts for one interception off of Howell as the Broncos' defense bounces back, and the offense hits paydirt thrice, including another Courtland Sutton touchdown.
Pick: Broncos 21, Commanders 16
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 0-1: The Broncos' season effectively is on the line Sunday. Lose to Washington, and Denver is staring down a potential 0-3 hole with the white-hot Miami Dolphins up next week. This is the "easy" portion of Denver's schedule; to be a playoff contender, they must beat the teams they're favored to beat. I expect the offense to remain as efficient as in Week 1 — with more points scored — and the defense to *actually* put pressure on Commanders QB Sam Howell. It might not be an overly sexy performance, but who cares?
Pick: Broncos 24, Commanders 18
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 0-1: The Broncos get back on track. After posting an efficient offense in Week 1, Payton and Wilson sync up to create more explosive plays vs. the Commanders. Also, against a young QB in Howell, Denver is able to dial up some pressure at a significantly better rate than vs. Garoppolo last week.
Pick: Broncos 27, Commanders 23
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 0-1: After a fine performance on offense but a poor performance on defense, the Broncos face a Commanders team with a strong defense but a weak offense. It’s likely the Broncos' offense could take more time to get drives going, meaning that the defense must come through this week. Howell, though, is still learning on the job, so the Broncos may be able to take advantage of that. Again, the Broncos will be going through growing pains in the early part of the season, but expect the defense to have a better showing, while the offense does enough to get the team its first win of the season.
Pick: Broncos 17, Commanders 13
Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) 0-1: Teams can’t live in the past, and what better way to reinvigorate Broncos Country than with a win against Washington in Denver on Sunday? Joseph had better bring the pass-rushing heat and sack Howell, who coughed up a fumble that was scooped up and returned to the house last week in Arizona, in addition to being sacked a half-dozen times. Payton should prioritize a healthy running attack to combat Washington's nasty D-line, which can give Denver’s O-line fits. Javonte Williams gets his first rushing score of the season, Wilson throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie wideout 'Marvelous' Marvin Mims Jr. catches one of them, the first of his career.
Pick: Broncos 24, Commanders 17
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH) 0-1: If you're a team looking to get into playoff contention, you have to get the winnable games, especially when they're in your house. Losing to Vegas last week should leave a bitter taste in Payton's mouth, so watch for him to have something special up his sleeve. Denver needs a fast start and some explosiveness from the offense early to get that pass rush slowed down a bit. The Broncos also need a major bounce-back game from cornerback Damarri Mathis. Denver gets both, and the team straightens things out to get back on track.
Pick: Broncos 19, Commanders 17
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 0-1: After a tough loss against the Raiders, Denver has to move on. Starting hot was a focus of the team, and that's already failed, but the Broncos can slightly recover with a win against the Commanders. While the Broncos' offense has to find those explosive plays, Joseph has to figure out how to apply pressure and get confidence back in Mathis. This will be a tough game for the young corner, with the Commanders' wide receiver trio, so how Mathis does will have a significant impact on the outcome.
Pick: Broncos 24, Commanders 20
Dylan Von Arx (@arx_d) 0-1: The Broncos loss to the Raiders last week makes a win in Week 2 crucial. Getting pressure on Howell will be priority No. 1 for Joseph and his defense, who couldn't manage a single sack on Garoppolo. If Denver can get the run game going this week, then the team should be able to grind out a win to get back on track.
Pick: Broncos 20, Commanders 13
Ron White (@RonWhiteNFL) 0-1: The Broncos must put last week in the rearview mirror. It's time for this team to practice what it's been preaching all week. Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders will be a test to see whether this team can bounce back. Jerry Jeudy's expected return will open the offense more, allowing Wilson to build upon his performance last week. In addition, the Broncos' running game will be used significantly to counteract Washington’s stout defensive front. The Broncos' defense registers three sacks on Howell and creates a pair of turnovers to help them get over the top.
Pick: Broncos 24, Commanders 14
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