Broncos vs. Packers: 5 Bold Predictions

It's time for the Denver Broncos to swing for the fences.

Seven weeks into the season, the Denver Broncos are searching for their first home win. Hopefully, the Broncos can achieve it on their fourth try, especially considering they've never started 0-4 at home in franchise history. 

While the Green Bay Packers are 2-3, they have had issues on both sides of the ball. The Packers are inconsistent at best on offense, and their defense boasts a good pass defense but one of the worst run defenses. 

Over the past two games, the Broncos have faced two formidable passing defenses, and their offense has struggled to move the ball through the air. The Packers are somewhere between the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs regarding how good their pass defense is. 

If the Broncos fall in this one and find themselves 1-6, they'll have the Chiefs coming the next week, so they may as well start the fire sale. Even if the Broncos pull out a win, this season is all but over at 2-5, and should look to move multiple players and restock some of their draft capital. 

So, let's get into the bold predictions. 

Bold Prediction: You'll Have a Blast at the MHH Meet & Greet 

At 11 a.m. MDT, the Mile High Huddle meet and greet kicks off in Lot E. If you will be at the game, look for the MHH tent and flags, stop by, and chat with the staff. It will be a blast. 

Also, the Broncos are 2-0 during the week of the meet and greet. Maybe they will keep the budding streak alive and go 3-0. Now, to the game predictions. 

Wilson Completes 65-Plus % but Throws Under 200 Yards

The Packers passing defense is better than many think. The Packers allow short throws to be completed, leading to a 66% completion percentage on the season. However, Green Bay allows an average of 194 passing yards per game.

The Broncos are a bend-don't-break defense, allowing the short throws to pick up yards, create a short-yardage situation, and then hold up. The Packers allow an average of one touchdown pass per game. 

With how the Broncos have struggled over their past two games against formidable passing defenses, they'll likely struggle against the Packers. The fact they have a few extra days to prepare could help them overcome it, but it will still be tough to go out there and execute. 

The Packers' secondary is quite challenging, and they will punish mistakes by the quarterback and receivers. 

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Broncos RBs Combine for 25-Plus Carries & 100-Plus Yards

Everyone knows how bad the Broncos run defense is, but the Packers are slightly better. Denver allows almost 150 rush yards per game but allows the most first downs to be picked up by running the ball. 

On average, the Broncos allow 9.4 first downs per game to be picked up on the ground, and teams have run the ball an average of 33.6 times per game against their defense. 

The question here is whether the Broncos will stick with the run game. The Broncos have a highly effective run game but go away from it early, even when they don't need to. 

The Broncos run the ball an average of 21.5 times per game, with 16.8 carries per game by a running back. Sean Payton has to stick with the ground game, especially with how formidable the Packers' passing defense can be. 

The Broncos can quickly achieve this if they stick with the run game and be the run-heavy team they were built to be. What makes it so bold is how the Broncos haven't stuck it out on the ground. 

Packers Rush for 150-Plus Yards

The Broncos have the worst run defense in the NFL, lacking gap integrity and discipline. Denver's defensive line will vacate their gaps and leave open lanes, while their linebackers can be overaggressive in their pursuit. 

With Jordan Love's issues, look for the Packers to take pressure off his shoulder and rely on the ground game. Having Aaron Jones back to balance out A.J. Dillon should see the Packers look even harder to get their running game back on track, which shouldn't be difficult against a historically bad run defense. 

Broncos Sack Jordan Love at Least Three Times

This is an extremely bold prediction, as the Broncos average 2.3 sacks per game, but have seen it come around in recent weeks. Denver's problem is that its pass rushers start hot, especially Nik Bonitto, but fall off as the game goes on. 

On that point, Bonitto has 5.5 sacks on the season, with 4.5 in the last three games, and four of his total sacks have come in the first 20 minutes of the game. 

As for Love, he is one of the least-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. He is sacked on under 6% of his dropbacks, and he does well to avoid sacks and extend plays or get the ball out on time. With the Broncos' issues and how well the Pakcers and Love avoid sacks, this will be a tough one to pick up. 

Both Teams Net Two or More Takeaways

Both teams have issues on offense, and they average one takeaway per game. Both teams give the ball away, with the Packers averaging 1.2 giveaways per game and the Broncos sitting at 1.8. 

The opportunities will be there for the takeaways, but can the defenses take advantage and secure the takeaways? 

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