Denver Broncos ceiling and floor for 2023

With the conclusion of training camp and preseason, here's the Broncos' ceiling and floor heading into Week 1.

Ceiling: 9-8

Payton's offensive wizardry will kick-start the Broncos after they finished last in points scored in 2022. "I'm excited to see the playbook fully opened," wideout Brandon Johnson recently said of the HC's scheme, via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.

The emergence of cornerback Patrick Surtain II is key in a division with two-league MVP Patrick Mahomes. Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the 23-year-old is one of four players to intercept the Kansas City quarterback. He should have another spectacular year after making his first Pro Bowl last season.

Also, the Broncos have an easy stretch from Week 1 to Week 5 (complete schedule analysis here). They only face one team that made the playoffs last season (Miami), and three of their five games are at home. Denver could use this to vault into playoff contention early.

Floor: 7-10
Payton's success depends on QB Russell Wilson rebounding after he completed a career-low 60.5 percent of his passes in 15 games last season. His preseason performance didn't inspire confidence as the 34-year-old went 10-for-19 (52.6 percent) for 117 yards and a TD.

Injuries decimated wide receiver depth. Tim Patrick suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in camp. And Jerry Jeudy could miss multiple games early in the season after recently suffering a hamstring injury. The thin WR room limits Payton's ability to improve the offense.

Also, the AFC West is loaded. The Chiefs — the defending Super Bowl champions — are favored to repeat, per OddsChecker. The Chargers could vault to the next level if QB Justin Herbert flourishes under new OC Kellen Moore.