Fueled by a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Waddle and Bo Nix’s return, Denver eyes a championship run after Albert Breer projected the AFC’s top seed to reach Sunday’s biggest stage.
The Denver Broncos are entering the 2026 NFL season fresh off an AFC West title and the top seed in the AFC.
The Broncos ended up losing in the AFC title game, although quarterback Bo Nix missed that one due to an injury, and the offense never found any rhythm with Jarrett Stidham under center.
The Broncos begin the year on Monday Night Football against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, so it will be a massive test early on for Denver.
Several NFL insiders from SI had predictions for the Broncos, and Albert Breer predicted the Broncos to make the Super Bowl, but he had them losing to the Los Angeles Rams.
Here was his prediction: Rams 23, Broncos 17; Matthew Stafford MVP
Breer's reasoning for the Rams is that they are very deep, and it is the same reason why he has Denver coming out of the AFC this time.
"The Broncos, to me, are similarly situated, with a deep, balanced roster coming back, a top-notch coaching staff and a really good addition (Jaylen Waddle) to show for their offseason," Breer wrote.
Breer actually has three AFC West teams making the postseason. Broncos with the No. 1 seed, Chiefs at No. 5 and the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 7.
Breer's predictions have Denver defeating the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills to get to the Super Bowl, and the Broncos defeated the Bills in the thrilling divisional round game last postseason.
There are plenty of reasons to be on the broncos bandwagon. They finished as the top seed in the AFC a year ago, and if it weren't for a Bo Nix injury, there is a good chance they would've moved on to the Super Bowl instead of the New England Patriots, although none of that is certain by any means.
The Broncos also struck gold by acquiring superstar wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Denver also earned the top spot of all AFC on the NFL.com power rankings going into Week 1, so there is a lot of buzz and hype surrounding this team once again.
The question is this: Is this finally the year Sean Payton returns to a Super Bowl? There is a very realistic path, although the AFC West - and AFC in general - is full of plenty of loaded teams in what should be a fun season.
