Good morning, Broncos Country!
There’s no doubt that Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are in for a real battle this season.
After winning the AFC West, sweeping the Kansas City Chiefs, and playing in the AFC Championship Game, comes a challenging schedule. There’s also not a ton of belief in the Broncos. Despite finishing 14-3, winning the division, and returning basically the same roster while adding Jaylen Waddle, the way they won last season doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for a follow-up season. For some.
Ralph Vacchiano is all-in on the Broncos … at least right now.
After the NFL schedule was released, the Fox Sports writer released his power rankings. And he has Denver at No. 1. This was Vacchiano’s explanation for the Broncos being atop his power rankings:
“Their first six games are just terrible. But assuming they survive that, there is a real soft middle of the schedule that could put them on a real run from Weeks 7 to 15. That should be enough for the class of the AFC, and a team that is motivated by the knowledge they should’ve been in the Super Bowl last year.”
For what it’s worth, Vacchiano also had the Broncos at No. 1 right after the Super Bowl in February.
As for the other teams in the AFC West, Vacchiano has the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 12, the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 16, and the Las Vegas Raiders at 30.
Following the Broncos at No. 1 are the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens.
No one knows what the 2026 season will bring. Let alone how it will unfold.
This season will bring challenges, seen and unseen. But the Broncos remain in a great spot with a great roster and belief that if they play their game, they can beat anyone in the NFL.
