The Denver Broncos were just four points away from a Super Bowl berth in 2025. Now, with mile-high expectations surrounding the team, they are primed for another run at the Lombardi Trophy in 2026.
The Broncos' roster largely remained the same, with just two new veteran faces, and the team believes it has the depth to compete for a championship. That belief was reinforced by the decision to deal for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in one of the bigger blockbuster trades of the summer. Waddle will hopefully add a different dimension to the offense, while retaining the same stout defense they had last fall.
We take a look at how NFL analysts across the media landscape believe the Broncos will fare in their 2026 campaign.
Nate Davis, USA Today: 12-5
- "They’ve gotten incrementally better in each of their three years under HC Sean Payton’s watch, separating the Chiefs from what seemed like their divisional birthright last year before coming heartbreakingly close to the Super Bowl."
Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com: No. 7 playoff seed
- "Is Jaylen Waddle the missing piece in Denver’s championship puzzle? Based on the Broncos' otherwise quiet offseason, they sure seem to think so. One of the league’s most complete teams, Denver’s season will be a tale of two halves: Can the Broncos hold up against an early-season onslaught that includes bouts with the Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers and Seahawks, as well as both head-to-heads with the Chiefs? If they're still standing by their Week 10 bye (one-score wins are still wins!), their schedule sets up nicely for a second-half run."
John Breech, CBS Sports: 12-5
- "The Broncos won the AFC West last year, but somehow, they still can't get any respect. Going into the 2026 season, the Broncos have the third-best odds to win the division."
Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report: 12-5
- "The Denver Broncos had the best record in the AFC last year. If quarterback Bo Nix didn't break his ankle in the playoffs, the Broncos may well have represented the conference in Super Bowl LX. They may well in 2026."
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 10-7
- "The four-win regression reflects the fact that Patrick Mahomes is healthy again and the Raiders will be running an offense the team is actually capable of running."
Henry McKenna, FOX Sports: 11-6
- "It’s a tough draw, adding the superpowered NFC West onto a schedule that doubles up on the outstanding AFC West. If not for that tough schedule, I would’ve increased the Denver Broncos' win totals significantly."
AI Copilot, per USA Today: 13-4
- "Copilot believes the Broncos should be the AFC West favorite after earning the AFC's No. 1 seed in 2025 following a 14-win season. It believes Sean Payton "has clearly built a contender" and also expects that the Chargers – who "provide one of the league's highest floors" – will be in the postseason mix."
Denver will open
the regular season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Sept. 14.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL experts predict Denver Broncos' 2026 record
