Happy Schedule Release Month, BroncosCountry! Here’s What We Might See on the 2025 Slate
By [Author’s Name]
May 1, 2025
The month of May might signal spring blooms and rising temperatures across most of the country, but for football fans — and especially those in #BroncosCountry — it represents something else entirely: NFL Schedule Release Month. It’s a time of speculation, excitement, and a flood of predictions as fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of who their team will face, where, and when.
For Denver Broncos fans, the energy is palpable. The team is in a critical phase of building a new era, and the 2025 season could mark a turning point. After seasons of ups and downs, questions at quarterback, and a changing coaching staff, the team enters 2025 with cautious optimism. The unveiling of the regular season schedule may seem like a small event in the grand scheme, but for many, it’s the emotional kickoff to a new journey — one filled with rivalry games, primetime battles, and hopeful playoff dreams.
So, who will the Broncos open with? The speculation has begun — and with good reason.
A Quick Look Back
Before diving into potential 2025 matchups, let’s quickly revisit the Broncos’ 2024 season. Denver finished the year with a record that reflected a team in transition — not among the league’s elite, but also not at the bottom of the barrel. A few key wins over division rivals and a developing young core gave fans reasons to believe. The front office focused heavily on the draft and free agency this offseason, addressing key needs at offensive line, linebacker, and wide receiver.
Most notably, the quarterback position continues to draw attention. While the team hasn’t confirmed who will start under center come Week 1, there’s been chatter about a potential breakout from last year’s backup or even a newly drafted rookie pushing for the top spot. That decision, likely still weeks away, could influence how the league schedules Denver’s opening matchups.
Schedule Release Month: Why It Matters
May’s schedule release isn’t just a formality. For players, coaches, and especially fans, it brings structure to the chaos. It determines travel plans, holiday schedules, tailgating dreams, and even fantasy football strategies. For the NFL, it’s a PR spectacle that’s grown over the years into a marquee moment of the offseason calendar.
Networks battle for the most attractive matchups in key time slots. Rivalries are highlighted. Storylines are curated. And teams begin teasing fans with cryptic tweets, emojis, and countdowns leading up to the official announcement. The Broncos’ social media team is no stranger to these tactics, and this year, they’ve already kicked things off with a cheerful message: “Happy Schedule Release Month, #BroncosCountry!”
So let’s dig into what could lie ahead — and who might be Denver’s Week 1 opponent.
Potential Week 1 Matchups: Who Might We Open Against?
While the NFL keeps the official schedule tightly under wraps until its mid-May reveal, we already know the opponents each team will face based on the league’s rotational formula and divisional placements. What we don’t yet know is the order — and therein lies the fun of speculation.
Here are some strong candidates for Denver’s Week 1 opener:
1. Las Vegas Raiders (Home or Away)
Few matchups generate more heat in Broncos Country than a game against the hated Raiders. It’s one of the league’s most historic rivalries, and opening the season with a division clash would immediately raise the stakes. The Broncos have struggled against Las Vegas in recent years, making a Week 1 shot at redemption a tantalizing prospect. A home opener against the Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High? Now that’s fireworks.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Primetime Possibility)
Let’s address the obvious — if the league wants drama, it doesn’t get much better than a Broncos vs. Chiefs opener. Though Denver has been trying to close the gap on Patrick Mahomes and Co., a Week 1 rematch could draw huge ratings. With rumors of the Broncos’ defense leveling up and a revamped offense in place, there’s real intrigue. This could be a Sunday Night Football or Monday night opener candidate.
3. Houston Texans (Road Game)
After a surprise 2024 run led by star quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans have become one of the NFL’s most exciting young teams. A Week 1 meeting would showcase two up-and-coming franchises trying to define their next chapters. For Denver, a road game in Houston would be a high-stakes test right out of the gate.
4. Chicago Bears (Home Game)
With the Bears likely starting their new rookie QB — possibly Caleb Williams — this matchup could be framed as a battle between two teams rebuilding from the ground up. The Broncos would relish the chance to welcome a rookie into Mile High altitude and start the season with a win.
5. Green Bay Packers (Road Game)
This interconference matchup may not have the historical weight of a divisional tilt, but with Jordan Love showing flashes of brilliance and Denver’s secondary trying to make a statement, this could be a sneaky-great opener. Plus, early-season weather in Green Bay is always favorable compared to a winter road trip.
Primetime Chances?
The Broncos haven’t been consistently featured in high-profile slots in recent years due to their struggles, but that could change in 2025. If the league sees Denver as a dark horse or marketable underdog, expect them to land at least one or two primetime slots — perhaps including the opener.
Fans are already speculating about whether the team might be featured in the NFL’s kickoff game, a Sunday night matchup, or even a Monday Night Football debut. Depending on how the league frames its narratives — division resurgence, rookie QB debuts, or redemption stories — Denver could very well find itself under the national spotlight early on.
Beyond Week 1: Key Games to Watch
While the opener gets most of the hype, the full 18-week schedule promises several games Broncos fans will have circled:
- vs. Los Angeles Chargers: With both teams boasting young talent and strong defenses, these games could be pivotal for playoff tiebreakers.
- vs. Cleveland Browns: The Broncos will seek revenge after a frustrating 2024 outing against a tough Browns defense.
- vs. New England Patriots: Always a nostalgic matchup, especially for fans who remember past playoff battles.
- vs. NFC South Opponents: These rotating matchups may offer opportunities for critical out-of-conference wins.
Final Thoughts: Optimism in the Air
No matter who the Broncos open the season against, one thing is clear: hope is alive in Denver. With each schedule release, fans dream again — of home victories, road upsets, and late-season playoff pushes. It’s a tradition as sacred as training camp and as energizing as kickoff itself.
So here’s to a Happy Schedule Release Month, Broncos Country. The countdown to kickoff begins now.
Stay tuned. Because in just a few weeks, we’ll know exactly who we’re up against — and when we get our first shot to prove this team is ready to ride again.
