Last Updated on August 20, 2026 11:53 am by Allen
Team Overview
The Broncos are coming off a 14-3 season that delivered their first AFC West title since 2015, a divisional-round overtime win over Buffalo, and a heartbreaking 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game. Denver traded for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle this offseason to add another weapon for quarterback Bo Nix, while promoting Davis Webb to offensive coordinator and keeping Vance Joseph in place as defensive coordinator to preserve continuity on a roster that came within one win of the Super Bowl.
Even with that success, oddsmakers have Denver as only the third choice in its own division behind Kansas City and the Chargers, treating last year’s breakthrough with some skepticism as the Broncos enter 2026 as defending division champs but not the favorites.
Offensive Line Analysis
Denver returns all five starters from what PFF ranked as the league’s best offensive line in 2025, headlined by left tackle Garett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz, who both earned first-team All-Pro honors and became the first Broncos linemen to do so in the same season. With center Luke Wattenberg, left guard Ben Powers, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey all back as well, continuity and proven high-end talent make this arguably the safest position group on the roster.
Defensive Line Analysis
Interior lineman Zach Allen and edge rusher Nik Bonitto combined for 164 quarterback pressures last season, helping the Broncos set a franchise record with 68 sacks for a second consecutive year. All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, anchors a secondary that allowed the Broncos to play aggressively up front, giving Denver one of the most complete defenses in the conference heading into 2026.
2026 NFL Season
Week 1
Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Monday, September 14 | 8:15 PM ET | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Denver opens as a road underdog on Monday Night Football, priced at +130 on the moneyline against Kansas City’s -155, with the Chiefs favored by 2.5 and the total set at 42.5 points. Both starting quarterbacks are working back from major injuries, as Bo Nix underwent a second procedure on a fractured ankle suffered in the playoffs while Patrick Mahomes continues rehabbing the torn ACL and LCL that ended his 2025 season in this very matchup.
An AFC West rematch to open the year, with both franchise quarterbacks’ health as the biggest swing factor in how competitive this game actually is.
Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl
Odds to Win AFC West: +225
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +2000
Predictions
Overall Record: The Broncos are projected to finish around 12-5, even with a first-place schedule working against them.
Playoff Chances: Among the safer bets in the conference to return to the postseason
Super Bowl Chances: A legitimate contender, though not the top choice in its own division
Denver has the defense and offensive line to stay near the top of the AFC even if last year’s run of one-score wins normalizes some. Expect the Broncos to be in the thick of a crowded AFC West race all season, with a real chance to get back to the AFC Championship if Nix’s ankle holds up.
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