Last year was magical for Broncos Country; this year, are the Denver Broncos being overhyped?
Part of the reason why the 2025 season was so special was because no one expected the Broncos to win the AFC West. Certainly, no one thought they’d be the AFC’s No. 1 seed. And a tiny minority of people thought Denver would beat Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.
This year, things have flipped on their head.
Are the Denver Broncos overhyped going into 2026?
Last year Broncos Country was mad that everyone was sleeping on their favorite team.
They were projected to win 9.5 games in Las Vegas, a mark they easily cleared. Ironically, that over/under total mark is the same 9.5 games this year.
Has Vegas not learned anything?
You don’t doubt Sean Payton.
And yet, while the bettors and oddsmakers think Payton’s Broncos will win 9 games, others are hyping up the orange and blue.
FOX Sports
FOX had the Broncos as their No. 1 team in the power rankings for a while this offseason before recently moving the LA Rams ahead of Denver.
And who could blame them? LA is stacked beyond stacked.
They have a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Matthew Stafford and one of the best head coaches in the NFL today in Sean McVay. This offseason they stole both of the Chiefs starting cornerbacks in Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie. And then they also traded for Myles Garrett, the reining Defensive Player of the Year.
On offense, Puka Nacua is making a case for being the best receiver in the league, and they have Davante Adams flanking him.
Oh, and Aaron Darnold looks like a lock to join them, too.
Are the Broncos really that close to the Rams, and simultaneously ahead of every other team?
USA TODAY
In their record predictions, USA TODAY has the Broncos with the AFC’s best record.
Actually, they have the Broncos tied with the Houston Texans at 12-5, and the Texans taking the conference’s No. 1 seed. And they also have Denver losing to the Ravens in the Wild Card Round. Wait, maybe the USA TODAY isn’t that high on the Broncos after all.
CBS Sportsline
CBS gives the Broncos the second-best odds in the AFC to win Super Bowl LXI next February.
Only the Ravens (10.2%) edges out Denver’s 8.0% chance of winning it all this year.
Meanwhile, they have the Seahawks leading all teams with a 15.0% chance of repeating, and their NFC West rivals the Rams with a nearly as strong 14.4% chance of taking home another Lombardi Trophy. Also of note, their model gives the Detroit Lions a 7.4% chance, just behind Denver.
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PFSN
Pro Football Network says the Broncos have the 4th-best roster in the NFL this year.
Only the LA Rams, Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots are better per their list. Hey, the final four teams from last year.
The danger of being overhyped
Some Broncos fans are probably wondering why it’s bad for the Broncos to be overhyped.
Well, it sets the entire team up for failure.
Last year, Payton said the first goal of the team was to win the division. But for most Broncos fans, the goal of that team was to make the playoffs, first and foremost. Winning the division and even winning a playoff game were cherries on top of the sundae.
The Broncos opened their Super Bowl window last year. A year early, it seems.
Now, not only do Denver die-hards believe their team can win it all this year, but it seems everyone across the country thinks the Broncos are legitimate contenders for the crown, too.
Yes, we’re used to having mile high expectations in this town. Mr. Bowlen said his expectations were, “Super Bowl or bust.”
But that leaves one goal—maybe two—for this team to accomplish of they’ll be dubbed a failure.
Winning a Super Bowl—or possibly winning an AFC Championship—are those two goals.
When those are the only goals, it can make the rest of the season feel less meaningful.
And if Denver falls short of earning a home game in the playoffs, or god forbid miss the postseason altogether, Broncos Country will be in shambles.
Sure, be confident. Be excited. But make sure you enjoy the ride, Broncos Country.
Bo Nix has a chance to take a major step forward and move closer to top-10 QB territory. Jaylen Waddle could and should be electric in this offense. Nik Bonitto is ascending stardom and Patrick Surtain is a legitimate generational talent.
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