The 2026 Denver Broncos schedule has been released, and Sean Payton’s team better be ready to go when the season kicks off.
Denver faces the Kansas City Chiefs to start things off, then six straight playoff teams from 2025.
If the Broncos don’t bring it immediately, they’ll get punched in the mouth.
Denver Broncos schedule presents a crazy start to 2026
Last year, many called the Broncos frauds.
They faced the second-easiest schedule in the NFL behind only the New England Patriots. And both of those teams met in the AFC Championship Game.
Well, the schedule-makers didn’t take it easy on Payton’s team in 2026.
While Denver’s schedule is “only” 22nd-toughest per Warren Sharp, it’s definitely more difficult than last year. And it starts off with a tough test week after week for the first six games.
Week 1: At Kanas City, MNF
On one hand, this is a perfect time to get the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is coming off his ACL and LCL injury and surgery; he may not be 100% when the season kicks off. Plus, playing in Kansas City during November and December is almost a no contest for most teams. Still, playing your division rival who you just beat to steal the AFC West is a really tough test to start the season.
Week 2: Vs. Jacksonville
The Broncos will want revenge against the Jaguars for the way Jacksonville embarrassed Denver in the Mile High City late last season. But the Jags are still a solid team, even if they lost Travis Etienne to the New Orleans Saints. They replaced him with Chris Rodriguez, so the run game could suffer a bit. But it’s the passing game with Trevor Lawrence and Parker Washington the Denver defense has to worry about. If this one turns into a shootout, can Denver keep up with the newly revamped offense featuring Jaylen Waddle at wideout?
Week 3: Vs. LA Rams, SNF
Two primetime games in the first three weeks of the season. The Broncos will have to step up when the lights shine the brightest. And the Rams are their second-toughest opponent of the entire season. LA came within a field goal of winning the NFC Championship Game against the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks, and the Rams offense was No. 1 last year. That’ll make for a great strength-vs-strength battle when Matt Stafford and Co. line up against Patrick Surtain and friends. The Rams landed Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster trade and added Jaylen Watson also from the Chiefs; Bo Nix better be careful with the ball or turnovers could sink Denver in this one. Even before adding those corners, the Rams defense was solid last year (10th) and this will be a true test.
Week 4: At San Francisco
The 49ers were only third-best in the NFC West last year, but it’s a division that featured those aforementioned Rams and Seahawks. They re-signed Trent Williams to anchor the offensive line and re-signed Dre Greenlaw with Denver cut him. The Broncos should be able to pass the ball on the 49ers, and considering San Francisco’s playmakers—Christian McCaffrey, chiefly—they’ll need to be able to. When Kyle Shanahan’s team is in a groove offensively, they can score lights-out. Despite both teams being strong defensively, this one could turn into a shootout like the Rams game before it. Davis Webb calling the plays, Nix’s surgically repaired ankle, and Waddle’s addition will be pushed yet again very early in the year.
Week 5: At LA Chargers
The Chargers and Jim Harbaugh have had Sean Payton’s number. LA is 3-1 vs. Denver the last two years, with the Broncos lone win coming against them in Week 18 last year when Justin Herbert and many starters sat. The Chargers really upgraded their offense this offseason. They added center Tyler Biadasz to anchor it in the middle, running back Keaton Mitchell formerly of the Ravens, signed two new guards, and re-signed receiver Quentin Johnston. Oh, and they added tight end David Njoku, too. Defensively, they’ll still be a solid pass rushing team, but they did lose Odafe Oweh, who had 7.5 sacks in 12 games with them after coming over from Baltimore. They’re going to be tough to score on, and this could be a defensive battle.
Week 6: Vs. Seattle Seahawks, TNF
Man, what a tough time to get the Seahawks. Seattle hosts rival San Francisco in Week 5, while the Broncos are coming off a road game in LA before the Thursday Night Football matchup. Without a doubt, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks are the Broncos most difficult opponent of the season, and playing them on a short week will be really tough to overcome. Denver can, sure, but they’ll have to find ways to attack that otherworldly defense. Offensively, the Seahawks can be up-and-down and they lost starting running back Kenny Walker to the Chiefs. I see this one being a close contest, possibly low-scoring, but you never know on Thursdays.
Second half is a bit easier, but no cakewalk
After facing that murderer’s row of opponents, the Broncos schedule gets slightly easier.
They face the Cardinals after the mini-bye following TNF, the Chiefs again and at home, and then the Panthers. Then the official bye week in Week 10.
They finish versus Las Vegas, at Pittsburgh, versus Miami, at New York Jets, at Las Vegas, versus Buffalo on Christmas, at New England, and versus LA Chargers. (Bold denotes playoff team in 2025.)
So, after that insane start to the season, the middle is a great deal softer. If Denver starts, say 3-3, they’ll need to make hay during the middle of their schedule and get well above .500 before that end stretch.
The Bills, Patriots, and Chargers to end the season is almost as tough as that September-October stretch.
Overall, Denver plays 10 games against nine playoff opponents, and the Chiefs will push to be in the postseason this year after their first miss in a decade.
It’s a tough test, but one Payton’s team will be up to.
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