Power rankings are funny. You can always tell the difference between those who are unbiased and those who are just waiting to hate on your team’s success. Ironically, its those who put them #1 last week
that dropped them the hardest this week, while those who tried to fairly rank them are left pretty much unchanged. Funny how that works out.
Not much changes for the Denver Broncos after their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars anyway. They are still the AFC’s number one seed and have various clinching scenarios again this week. All they need to concern themselves with is winning the next one and if they do, then things get right back on track.
Here is where the Broncos rank heading into Week 17:
NFL.com: 4th
The Broncos’ celebrated defense had its hands pretty full with the Jaguars for most of a frustrating day, while Bo Nix and the offense never found that fourth-quarter magic we’re so used to seeing them summon. In a game that felt like a Divisional Round playoff matchup, Jacksonville took a few early punches and fought back hard. Missed tackles were a problem for Denver’s defense. Jags QB Trevor Lawrence took some sacks but also hit some big plays against the blitz. LB Dre Greenlaw’s late injury also bears watching. It was a disappointing result all the way around, especially with the top seed in the AFC there for the taking. Now, even the division is in some doubt. This Thursday’s Christmas night game in Kansas City looks far easier, with both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew out, but the Week 18 showdown with the Chargers suddenly looms very large.
Yahoo Sports: 3rd
We’re not going to overreact. Denver is now 11-1 in its past 12 games. Just because the loss came in Week 16 doesn’t mean it should fall in these rankings. As long as the Broncos beat a Chiefs team down to their third quarterback and then beat the Chargers at home in the finale, they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Broncos are a very good team, and losing for the first time since Sept. 21 doesn’t change that.
CBS Sports: 6th
The vaunted defense got shredded by the Jaguars, which was a shock. They have to flush it quickly since they play at Kansas City on Thursday.
ESPN: 3rd
Harvey’s 11 total touchdowns (seven rushing, four receiving), lead the team and all rookie position players in the league. The second-round pick is also tied for 13th in scoring, one spot behind Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and one ahead of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. And with J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve (foot) since Week 10, Harvey is without question the team’s RB1.
Pro Football Talk: 5th
If they have a playoff rematch with Jacksonville, at least it’ll be seen by more than a sliver of the country.
USA Today: 6th
Basically the AFC’s version of Seattle right now − a lot to like about a team that generally seems to be ahead of schedule. But how much do you trust QB Bo Nix and this offense in high-leverage situations?
Fox Sports: 6th
They played so many close games, it figured they’d get bitten eventually. But a blowout loss at home to the Jaguars? What an alarming way to snap their 11-game win streak.
Each of the outlets that had the Broncos number one last week, dropped them to sixth this week. Most who had them ranked around the third spot left them there. Honestly, this is clear a Top 5 team regardless and at 12-3 they still have the best record in football. All they need to do is beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas and then take care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 18. Either way, they are playoff bound in 2025.
Do you think the Broncos are being fairly ranked heading into Week 17?
