Denver's Offense Still Has to Work Too Hard
Denver ranks 21st in explosive-play ability. Without more chunk plays, too many drives depend on staying perfect for ten or twelve snaps.
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84.9PFM Team Score
NFL Rank#9No rank change
AFC Rank#4Among AFC teams
QB Stability#16Bo Nix · Built to Trust
Season OutlookPlayoff ContenderDenver should make the playoffs and has enough to be dangerous once there.
Coaching Staff Snapshot
Head CoachSean Payton
Offensive CoordinatorDavis Webb
Defensive CoordinatorVance Joseph
Coaching Direction RankNo. 6
Offensive Rating
81.3
Defensive Rating
84.6
PFM Ranking Story
Why Denver Is No. 9
Sean Payton can keep Bo Nix in rhythm with quick throws and play action, while the defense leans on Patrick Surtain II and the defensive front to challenge matchups outside. The front can win a down before the coverage has to hold. Denver needs more explosive plays when the defense cannot control the game.
PFM Team DNA
Denver Broncos Team DNA
See how the PFM category ratings shape Denver.
Identity
Coaching Edge
Under Sean Payton, denver's identity starts with a pressure-and-coverage defense built around Patrick Surtain II and one of the league’s deepest fronts.
Swing Factor
Big-Play Consistency
Big-play production is the swing factor. More chunk plays would change the ceiling. The larger issue remains proving the offense can create enough explosive plays when the defense does not control the game.
What the Ratings Reveal
What Jumps Off the Page
The Defense Gives Denver More Than the Ranking Suggests
Denver uses a pressure-and-coverage defense built around Patrick Surtain II and one of the league’s deepest fronts. That approach is producing the team’s cleaner answer, and the 4th rank can keep a rough offensive stretch from deciding the game early.
Game Plan
How This Team Wins — And How It Breaks
The Broncos win by controlling field position with the defense, keeping Nix efficient and hitting the supporting cast when the coverage tightens.
The Broncos are most exposed in shootouts where Denver cannot lean on defense or one-score execution to control the finish. Those games put a spotlight on proving the offense can create enough explosive plays when the defense does not control the game.
Schedule Strength
The Road Ahead
Denver ranks No. 9 in schedule difficulty, with an average opponent PFM Score of 81.5 and 7 games against current top-10 teams. Three of those top-10 matchups are away, while the next 5 opponents average 86.4.
Difficulty Rank#9No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.81.5Average across opponents
Next 5 Avg.86.4Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups7Games vs. current top 10
Away games left9
Top-10 road opponents3
at Kansas City Chiefs87.1 PFM · #4
Sep 14 · 8:15 pmAwayTop 10
vs. Jacksonville Jaguars83.2 PFM · #13
Sep 20 · 4:05 pmHome
vs. Los Angeles Rams90.6 PFM · #2
Sep 27 · 8:20 pmHomeTop 10
at San Francisco 49ers87.2 PFM · #3
Oct 4 · 4:25 pmAwayTop 10
at Los Angeles Chargers84.0 PFM · #11
Oct 11 · 4:05 pmAway
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Seattle Seahawks at 91.3 PFM.
PFM Report Card
QB StabilityB+83.1
Roster StrengthB80.4
Coaching DirectionB+85.0
Recent PerformanceB+85.9
Offense StrengthB81.3
Defense StrengthB+84.6
Franchise DirectionB-78.4
ExplosivenessC+74.5
League Context
Built Like…
These are the two closest on-field builds in the PFM ratings. The similarities matter, but so do the differences.
Closest PFM Match
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are the closest match because both teams lean on coaching to turn the pieces into a complete plan. The Broncos lean on a pressure-and-coverage defense, while the Chargers lean on a physical run and play-action offense. The Chargers have the better answer at quarterback.
Second-Closest Match
Houston Texans
The Texans are another close match because both teams trust the quarterback to set the weekly ceiling. The Broncos get there through a pressure-and-coverage defense; the Texans are built around a front-four pressure defense. Coaching is where the Broncos create the separation.
Division Pressure
AFC West Pressure
Kansas City remains the division’s measuring stick when Patrick Mahomes is healthy. A quick-game and play-action plan gives Denver enough to stay in the race. The remaining problem is proving the offense can create enough explosive plays when the defense does not control the game.
Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl Era
Denver owns 3 Super Bowl titles from 8 trips, with the latest coming in Super Bowl L in 2016.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 3
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 8
- Super Bowl Record
- 3–5
- Last Appearance
- 2016 Super Bowl L
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