What Can We Expect From Two Teams Coming off of Polar Opposite 2022 Performances?

Firstly, I am sure some of you are wondering why I chose to write about the Broncos instead of picking a team in the Giants division. Well here’s the honest truth: the Broncos live rent free in my head. I hate them. A lot of my friends wear orange on Sundays and it drives me nuts. Even after being far removed from Denver, my irrational hatred for the donkeys remains. I have no real reason to hate this team, but I enjoy watching them lose because it pisses the entire state of Colorado off. Thankfully, last year was a disaster for Denver and I had my fair share of laughs. But despite some improvement, I expect a similar result for the 2023-2024 season. Let’s get into it.

After a disastrous 2022 season in which the Broncos went 5-12, Russell Wilson & Co. are looking to rebound with the addition of future hall of fame coach, Sean Payton. Payton has his work cut out for him as Denver managed a measly 16.9 points per game last year. Even trying to be as objective as possible, the only way to summarize last year for the Broncos is pathetic. The week 1 debacle in Seattle set the tone for the year, and it never got better. Russell Wilson looked awful, former head coach Nathaniel Hackett was in over his head, and Melvin Gordon could not stop fumbling. Jerry Jeudy looked great but Courtland Sutton appeared to be non-existent at times. Remember that random receiver who was forced to play QB after Covid protocols took out Denver’s first two options in 2020? He finished third in receiving yards with 311! If Kendal Hinton is your WR3 you know you are in trouble. But fear not Broncos fans! KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick should be returning after missing time due to injuries in 2022 (UPDATE: KJ Hamler has stepped away from football to deal with a heart issue, and Tim Patrick tore his Achilles in practice. Brutal). Star-in-the-making Javonte Williams will be returning behind an O-line with some returning and additional pieces added to it. The Broncos also have a solid defense that should keep the offense in positions to win games. All that being said I predict the Broncos to go 7-10 in 2023. “But Mo!” “YoU JuSt sAiD hOw gOoD oUr RoStEr lOoKs!”

Yes on paper it’s solid and I believe there is hope for this team. I think it comes down to whether or not Mr. Unlimited still has some fight in him left. He looked absolutely terrible last year and at this point it’s fair to bring out the washed accusations for #3. The addition of Payton is interesting. He is an offensive-minded head coach with a track record of getting the best out of his quarterbacks. I expect this team to compete and maybe even pull out some upset victories. Unfortunately the Broncos are cursed by being in a division with Justin Herbert and reigning Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. This team would need to do a complete 180 to be competitive in the AFC West. The Broncos kept it close in their divisional games last year, but you have to expect the Chiefs to just keep doing their thing. Denver is certainly not winning the division, and a wildcard spot will be no easier with teams like the Dolphins, Steelers, Jets (?), Chargers, and Ravens all looking to be competitive in that spot. Overall this is a talented team behind an aging quarterback in a new offensive system. Don’t bring up the 2016 team because this defense is nowhere near that level, and washed Peyton Manning is much better than washed Russ. I expect more wins from the donkeys, but nothing that will put them anywhere close to playoff contention. Have fun with that Wilson contract Denver!

Now let’s get to one of the things that brings me the most joy in life: The New York Football Giants. The boys are coming off a season that shocked the league, winning 9 games and securing their first playoff win in eleven years. In their first year, rookie head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen managed to make the most out of a team with a subpar roster and minimal cap space. The Giants had an impressive week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and went on a 4-game win streak at a crucial point in the season. Though Daboll and Schoen deserve most of the credit for this team’s success, all eyes were on the duo of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Deservedly so these two had several question marks coming into the 2022 season. Turnovers, injury history, and general poor decision-making plagued this tandem who have been together since 2019. For the most part these two silenced the doubters with each putting up career high numbers in passing and rushing yards. Barkely looked like his old self and exhibited those game-changing periods of dominance he is known for. Daboll clearly got the best out of Jones as his turnover numbers decreased significantly, and he looked more comfortable simply taking what the defense gave him. Jones looked much more comfortable in the pocket and continually reminded us why he got the nickname “Danny Dimes”. His biggest asset was his scrambling ability, and I expect 2023 to be no different.

The Giants were busy in the off-season as well, signing Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller and drafting some help in the defensive backfield. So what is the outlook on their 2023 season? Well for me there are two parts to it. The first is based off of my gut-feeling for how this team will perform. Unfortunately that has been tainted by years of incompetence under former GM Dave Gettleman. I’ve had low expectations for this team for years, so my emotional attachment to this team is telling me not to get too excited. The little boy (I was 21) who cried when Odell was traded does not want to be in any more pain. It’s ok younger me, there is a justified reason to be excited. The second part of my outlook for the team is the fact that the Giants only got better on both sides of the ball. Wan’dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard will be returning after season-ending injuries, and third-round WR Jalin Hyatt is looking like a steal already. I expect a breakout year from Kayvon Thibodeaux, and some better second-level play with the addition of LB Bobby Okerke. I think the biggest question marks for this team are the O-line and the secondary. Andrew Thomas is a star, but outside of that there are little certainties. Evan Neal struggled as a rookie, and the expectation is he takes a big leap in year 2. Right guard Mark Glowinski is below average and the Giants are relying on rookie center John Michael Schmitz Jr. to step up big time. Outside of Adoree’ Jackson, it looks like the Giants will rely on a rotation of cornerbacks who are all 22 or younger. The hope is Daboll can get the best out of these young guys and accelerate their development as the season progresses. Thankfully, the former coach of the year is the right man for the job. All that being said, I predict the Giants to finish the 2023-2024 season with a record of 10-7. Similar to the Broncos the Giants are in a tough division, and I expect at least 4 divisional losses. Other than that we have a favorable schedule going up against teams like the Raiders, Rams, Saints, and the Cardinals. Of course we see the Commanders twice a year but I’m not worried about them at all. Every part of my being wants to say we will either win or split the series with the Eagles, but I just don’t see that happening. I hate the Eagles but they are really good. Poverty city, poverty franchise, but still really good. The Cowboys are overrated in my opinion but we can not find ways to beat them it seems. As for the playoffs, anything can happen. The expectation is Philadelphia will win the division, and it’s hard to imagine seeing two NFC east wildcards in back to back seasons. If the Giants continue to build on last year’s success we should be just fine. But this team has a history of crushing my dreams so who knows.

Honestly fuck it, the Giants are winning the Super Bowl and I don’t care what anyone has to say.