Broncos top power rankings, leading to massive prediction for 2026 season

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Broncos top power rankings, leading to massive prediction for 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade following the 2024 season. That led to them being a darkhorse contender in 2025. The Broncos responded by going 14-3 and being the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Now, they are full-blown Super Bowl contenders in 2026. 

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It really feels like a Super Bowl-or-bust season for the Broncos and it seems that a couple of writers over at Fox Sports agree that they are. 

Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports posted his power rankings following the NFL schedule release and there isn't a single team he has ranked ahead of the Broncos, who come in at No. 1 on his list. The Broncos are ahead of the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. The next-best AFC team is the Baltimore Ravens at No. 5. 

"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", wrote Vacchiano. 

Speaking of the Super Bowl, another FOX Sports writer likes the Broncos' chances a lot. 

Broncos predicted to win Super Bowl LXI

After viewing the schedule following its release, Henry McKenna of FOX Sports predicted each of the 14 playoff teams and then mapped out the bracket. 

McKenna has the Broncos as the AFC's top seed for the second year in a row, leading to a first-round bye. He then has them beating the Chargers in the divisional round before sneaking past the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. 

All of that leads up to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium, where the Broncos edge the 49ers in a Week 4 rematch. Here is McKenna's assessment:

"What a strange matchup of quarterbacks: Nix and Brock Purdy.

What a logical matchup of coaches: Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.

What an excellent matchup of defenses.

It feels like Payton and Nix are only coming to understand each other better. It feels like Broncos OC Davis Webb will be the hot head coaching candidate next offseason. And it feels like former Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle is the perfect addition to the Denver offense. (Don’t sleep on rookie tight end Justin Joly either!)

That offensive unit proves to be too much against the 49ers, whose age might start to show at this point in the postseason. Running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and receiver Mike Evans might all be among the best at their positions, but they have plenty of wear and tear. That’s how the Broncos find their advantage, with their young and fast defense taking care of Purdy & Co.

Payton gets his second Super Bowl victory. And he does it by making Nix look a little bit like Saints legend Drew Brees, including on the game-winning drive when the Broncos convert a two-pointer, rather than settling for a tie (and, likely, overtime)."

What an unbelievable ending to the season that would be. Broncos Country, you have a Super Bowl favorite. 

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