With Bo Nix healthy and Jaylen Waddle joining a revamped offense, Denver claims the conference's peak position ahead of a high-stakes season opener against the rival Chiefs.
The Denver Broncos were one game away from winning the AFC, but an injury to Bo Nix got in the way as the New England Patriots went on to win the AFC crown and advance to the Super Bowl.
Going into 2026, Bo Nix is healthy, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was fired and replaced with young, up-and-coming former NFL QB Davis Webb.
With the NFL regular season about to begin, NFL.com had new power rankings, and the Broncos landed at No. 2 and as the top team in the AFC.
Here is the top 10 from NFL.com's power rankings:
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Rams
- Buffalo Bills
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Houston Texans
The Broncos are also the only AFC West team to make the top-10, and here's what Nick Shook wrote about the ranking.
"No change to Denver's standing in this hierarchy after a successful, largely quiet preseason. WR Marvin Mims Jr. seems to be working his way back from a foot injury, and it's fair to expect CB Riley Moss (ribs) to be ready in time for the Broncos' Monday night showdown with the rival Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium."
The Broncos' offense got better this offseason, and the addition of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster trade was a monster move.
The Broncos were right at No. 2 in the preseason rankings, and some wondered if Aaron Donald's return would've vaulted LA above Denver, but that isn't the case.
The biggest problem for the Broncos isn't their roster or their coaching staff, but the fact that they are in arguably the toughest division in the NFL.
The Chiefs have Mahomes back in action and added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. The Los Angeles Chargers have Justin Herbert, and they added some new tight ends, but most importantly, brought in offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Still, the Broncos offense might be much better with Waddle in town and Webb calling the plays. Those two factors alone should make the Denver offense that much more explosive this season.
The Broncos will be tested right away with the first six games coming against the following teams:
- Week 1: Chiefs in Kansas City
- Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars in Denver
- Week 3: Rams in Denver
- Week 4: San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco
- Week 5: Chargers in LA
- Week 6: Seattle Seahawks in Denver
If the Broncos can get out of that stretch with a 4-2 record, that would be a strong boost for the rest of the season.
