A bold claim about the Denver Broncos is making waves in NFL circles: that the team would have reached the Super Bowl last season if quarterback Bo Nix had been healthy enough to play in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos lost that game 10-7, a margin of just seven points. The team went 14-3 in the regular season, won its division, and reached the AFC title game before falling short. Analysts are now arguing that Denver deserves far more attention heading into the new season, pointing out that the roster has improved since that loss.
The team added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, giving Nix the kind of deep-ball threat the offense previously lacked. Courtland Sutton remains on the outside as a reliable target, and the team projects to have a top-five offensive line. The running game is solid, and the defense is widely regarded as one of the most suffocating units in the league. One commentator made the case that Denver may already be the best team in the AFC that nobody is talking about.
The argument centers on Nix, who enters his third season after a strong second year that included a reputation for clutch play. The same commentator questioned whether Buffalo, the Los Angeles Chargers, or even Kansas City are clearly better than Denver right now. While acknowledging that Kansas City’s young players could improve by November, he suggested the Chiefs are not currently that far ahead. Another analyst agreed with the assessment, noting that Denver has one of the wealthiest owners in sports and a top-tier coach in Sean Payton.
He pointed out that the team checks many of the usual boxes for a serious contender. Early preseason signs have reinforced the optimism. In a recent game, Denver produced a 99-yard pick-six, and Sutton made a one-handed catch that stood out. The team led 17-0 at one point in the first half.
One former player praised the Broncos’ first-half performance, saying the starters played well and that the team looked sharp. He noted that many teams are playing their starters more in the preseason this year, a change from recent seasons. He also voiced concern about Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, saying he looked uncomfortable and jittery in the pocket. Tagovailoa is playing in a new system under a new coaching staff, but the analyst said he should still show more command of the offense.
The same discussion revisited last season’s AFC Championship loss. One analyst said he believes the Broncos would have won that game with Bo Nix under center. Another said Denver’s defense was better than New England’s defense, which won the Super Bowl, and that the Broncos would have matched up well against the Seahawks. The Commanders beat the Dolphins 20-7 in that preseason matchup, but the lasting takeaway from the broadcast discussion was about Denver.
The team went 14-3, won its division, reached the AFC Championship, and added more talent for this season. The central question emerging from the conversation is whether Denver is no longer a dark horse but one of the AFC’s teams to beat. With an elite defense, an experienced quarterback, and new weapons, the Broncos may be positioned to finish what they started last year. Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes remain the obvious obstacle, but the analysts argued that Denver is at least in the same conversation.
Whether the Broncos can prove it on the field this season remains to be seen.
