At long last, we know the Broncos’ schedule.
Now it’s time to peer into the crystal ball.
Denver steamed through an 11-game winning streak, won the AFC West by three games and claimed the conference’s top seed a year ago. But Sean Payton’s team was also abnormally good in one-score games, won its final two against division foes without their starting quarterbacks, played a third-place schedule and stayed fairly healthy — until overtime of the divisional round, at least.
So, what’s in store for this team as it moves toward a rugged 2026 campaign? Our sports staff has thoughts.
Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat reporter: 11-6. Sean Payton’s team just knows how to win. Blowout? Sure, once in a while. Close game? You can count on Vance Joseph’s defense and also quarterback Bo Nix in crunch time. But this schedule is unforgiving. That plus a slight regression in one-score games means this fall’s record may well not look as gaudy as last year’s. But if this team makes the playoff field — and it absolutely should — it’s going to be dangerous regardless of if it sets up shop at home for the divisional round or has to travel elsewhere. A Super Bowl run can still be there for the taking even if the regular season leaves more bruises.
Luca Evans, Broncos beat reporter: 10-7.Gotta do something different here than the rest of the crowd. Unfortunately, in life, there are few greater certainties than eventual statistical regression to the mean; the Broncos are primed for it, after winning an absurd amount of one-score games. Plus, as has now been well-documented, this schedule is brutal. Denver can be a better team in 2026 with the development of Bo Nix and the addition of Jaylen Waddle, and they’ll make the playoffs. The question is how, exactly?
Troy Renck, sports columnist: 11-6. The Broncos won the AFC West, captured the No. 1 seed, returned the franchise to national prominence and they got this schedule? It seems designed to figure out if the Broncos are imposters. They won 14 games last season, including 12 one-score games. They will not win 14 this year. But they will emerge as a Super Bowl contender if receiver Jaylen Waddle gooses the offense and J.K. Dobbins plays at least 14 games, counting the postseason. Coaches typically win Super Bowls in their first five years with a team. This is Year 4 for Payton. The clock is ticking.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: 11-6. Replacing the NFC East with the NFC West is going from nine rounds vs. 1988 Paul Reubens to going nine with 1988 Mike Tyson. In the span of 19 days (Sept. 27-Oct. 15), Sean Payton lands four teams, and two on the road, who won 49 games a year ago. The Broncos’ first six dance partners for ’26 lost an average of 5.7 games in ’25. Short week for the Seahawks. Long week for the Cardinals. Three prime-time dates. And that’s all just before Halloween –with the Bills and Pats looming over the holidays. It’s a still playoff team with a playoff defense, a playoff QB and playoff mojo, but if The Bo Show is 5-2 or better after its opening seven games this fall, Payton isn’t the NFL’s Coach of the Year. He’s the Coach of the Century.
