Denver Broncos 2026 NFL odds season preview, analysis and predictions
It is safe to say that the Denver Broncos took the next step in 2025. In Sean Payton’s first year as head coach (2023), they improved from 5-12 to 8-9. After that, they went 10-7 and earned a wild-card spot in the AFC playoffs.
Last season, Payton’s squad compiled a 14-3 mark – good for its first AFC West title since 2015. If not for a foot injury that prevented quarterback Bo Nix from playing in the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos may have found themselves in the Super Bowl.
More success is expected in 2026, largely because of a defence that is expected to be one of the top units in football. However, Denver will likely have its hands full in what could be a tough division.
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Denver Broncos NFL futures
- Wn the Super Bowl (+2000)
- Win the AFC (+1025)
- Win the AFC West (+225)
- Make the playoffs (-140)
- Bo Nix NFL MVP (+3500)
- Nik Bonitto Defensive Player of the Year (+1400)
- Pat Surtain II Defensive Player of the Year
The odds suggest that there are plenty of nonbelievers out there when it comes to the Broncos, despite their success in 2025. That isn’t terribly surprising, as they are part of a division with flashier teams that garner more attention. Patrick Mahomes is back from injury as a three-time Super Bowl champion for the Chiefs, while the Chargers are led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and QB Justin Herbert.
On the individual markets, Nix (MVP) and Bonitto (DPOY) are in the realistic mix to take home some of the top honours. Surtain (DPOY) has intriguing value as a long shot play.
Denver Broncos squad strengths
What is Denver’s strength? Defence, defence and more defence. It finished second in total defence behind Houston last season, third in scoring (18.3 points per game allowed), second against the run and first in sacks by a country mile (68, while no other team had more than 57).
Just how fundamentally sound were the Broncos on that side of the ball? They were arguably the best defence in the NFL even though they forced the fourth-fewest turnovers (14). Just imagine if they start taking the ball away.
On the other side of the ball, Pro Football Focus ranked Denver as the No. 1 offensive line in the NFL. Left tackle Garett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz return to anchor what should be one of the best units in football.
Denver Broncos squad weaknesses
This is one of the least explosive offences in football. Despite the fact that their quarterback was protected better than any other in the league (the Broncos tied for the fewest sacks allowed with the Rams), they averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempt (better than only three teams). They also averaged a modest 4.4 yards per rushing attempt, right in the middle of the pack.
The story should be similar in 2026. JK Dobbins returns as RB1 following five solid but unspectacular seasons in the NFL. Nix’s pass-catching group includes Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle and Troy Franklin. That’s a decent corps now that Waddle is on board, but it certainly isn’t elite.
Denver Broncos Over 9.5 wins (-115)
Denver won 14 games last year. Now we are asking it to simply win at least 10? That really should not be too much. To be clear, there is no reason to think that the Broncos will go 14-3 again – especially being faced with a first-place schedule. Still, their defence should be outstanding again and Nix – if healthy – is only improving. Waddle’s presence will undoubtedly help Nix’s progression.