The Denver Broncos can finally take a breath during the 2026 NFL season.
The Broncos are among four teams who have a scheduled bye during Week 10 of the NFL schedule, and they'll emerge from it in a strong position to chase the AFC's No. 1 overall seed coming off last year's AFC Championship game appearance
. Denver currently owns a five-game winning streak and sits atop the AFC West standings, despite a point differential of just +12.After a 26-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, the Broncos are now 6-0 in games decided by less than a touchdown this season. They have wins over the Jaguars, Chiefs and Seahawks that suggest Denver is poised for another deep postseason run.
The Broncos offense has endured rough patches as quarterback
Bo Nix returned from the foot injury he suffered in the 2026 playoffs and coach Sean Payton was forced to take back play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb. But Denver's defense remains potent thanks to its pass rush and several crucial turnovers have helped fuel the team's success in close games.
Now that the Broncos' bye week is here, USA TODAY Sports takes a look at what lies ahead in 2026.
Are the Broncos playing today?
The Broncos are not hitting the field in Week 10. Their bye week falls one week after the midpoint of the season. They’re joined by the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as teams given the week off by NFL schedule makers.
Denver will return to action with a Week 11 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders, on Sunday, Nov. 22, followed by a road trip to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on a short week in a special Black Friday matchup.
- Week 11 – vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 12 – at Pittsburgh Steelers, 3 p.m. ET (Friday), Prime Video
- Week 13 – vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
Denver Broncos schedule 2026
All times Eastern.
Week 1 – Sept. 14: Kansas City Chiefs 31, Denver Broncos 10
Week 2 – Sept. 20: Denver Broncos 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 13
Week 3 – Sept. 27: Denver Broncos 30, Los Angeles Rams 26
Week 4 – Oct. 4: San Francisco 49ers 24, Denver Broncos 14
Week 5 – Oct. 11: Denver Broncos, 23, Los Angeles Chargers 17
Week 6 – Oct. 15: Denver Broncos 17, Seattle Seahawks 14 (OT)
Week 7 – Oct. 25: Denver Broncos 30, Arizona Cardinals 16
Week 8 – Nov. 1: Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 24
Week 9 – Nov. 8: Denver Broncos 26, Carolina Panthers 21
Week 10 – BYE
Week 11 – Nov. 22: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 12 – Nov. 27: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers, 3 p.m., Prime Video
Week 13 – Dec. 6: Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m., FOX
Week 14 – Dec. 13: Denver Broncos at New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 15 – Dec. 20: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 16 – Dec. 25: Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:30 p.m., Netflix
Week 17 – TBD: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, TBD, TBD
Week 18 – TBD: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers, TBD, TBD
AFC West standings
- Denver Broncos (7-2)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
- Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (0-8)
NFL Week 10 schedule
Here's a look at the Week 10 schedule (all times Eastern):
Thursday, Nov. 12
- Washington Commanders at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, Nov. 15
- New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions, 9:30 a.m., FOX
- Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., CBS
- Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., FOX
- Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m., FOX
- Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m., CBS
- Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., FOX
- Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., FOX
- Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m., CBS
- Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m., CBS
- San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., FOX
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock
Monday, Nov. 16
- Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC/ESPN Deportes
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are the Broncos playing today? NFL Week 10 schedule, next game, AFC West standings
