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Denver Broncos 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings

83.3PFM Team Score2-1 Record
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PFM Verdict

Why PFM Ranks the Broncos Here

Denver's 30-26 win over the Rams was a stronger result than the small PFM score change suggests. The Broncos found enough offense to beat a top-tier opponent while keeping their defense as the foundation. PFM held Denver at No. 9 because the overall profile remains strong, even if the offense still needs more week-to-week explosiveness.

NFL Rank#9Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#4Among AFC teams
QB Stability#15Bo Nix · Built to Trust
Season OutlookPlayoff Contender
Head coachSean Payton
Offensive coordinatorDavis Webb
Defensive coordinatorVance Joseph
Offense80.0No. 16
Defense82.6No. 10
Coaching Direction85.0No. 7
Latest Ratings Update

PFM Trend

Updated Sep 29, 2026
Latest directionDeclined

Denver eased lower despite a 30-26 win over Los Angeles. The result helped Recent Performance, but weaker offensive and defensive efficiency kept the Broncos from gaining ground overall.

PFM Team Score83.3
Score movement-0.15
NFL RankNo. 9
Rank movementNo rank change

PFM Score History

87 85 84 82 81 84.7 BASELINE 82.9 W1 83.5 W2 83.3 W3
ExplosivenessDeclined75.8 → 74.3 · -1.47
Offense StrengthDeclined80.7 → 80.0 · -0.63
Defense StrengthDeclined83.1 → 82.6 · -0.57
PFM Team DNA

Denver Broncos Team DNA

View all NFL team rankings
Denver Broncos Team DNA chartPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale: QB Stability 82.4; Offense 80.0; Explosiveness 74.3; Roster Strength 80.5; Franchise Direction 78.2; Coaching Direction 85.0; Defense 82.6.
PFM category scores · 0–100 scale
QB Stability82.4No. 15 in NFLStrength
Offense80.0No. 16 in NFLWatch
Explosiveness74.3No. 22 in NFLConcern
Roster Strength80.5No. 9 in NFLWatch
Franchise Direction78.2No. 9 in NFLWatch
Coaching Direction85.0No. 7 in NFLStrength
Defense82.6No. 10 in NFLStrength
Identity

Coaching Edge

Denver is still defense first, with Sean Payton trying to add enough vertical stress around Bo Nix to keep opponents from crowding the short game. Beating the Rams 30-26 showed the Broncos can create offense without waiting for the defense to hand them short fields.

Pressure Point

Denver Has to Win Early Downs Again

Denver's opener exposed a broader problem than a lack of chunk plays. Kansas City won the run-game battle, forced an early Nix interception and kept the Broncos from controlling either side. The pressure point is getting back to manageable downs so the defense and quick passing game can support each other.

PFM CALL Locks October 4th at 4:25 PM EDT

Who wins Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers?

Week 4 matchup
AwayDEN2-1
HomeSF3-0

Pick the winner.

Choose your Call
PFM ROAD AHEAD

2026 Denver Broncos Remaining Strength of Schedule

Denver sits near the middle of the league at No. 15 in remaining road strength, with opponents averaging 80.2. San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks create the toughest stretch, but 4 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.

Difficulty Rank#15No. 1 is toughest
Remaining Opponent Avg.80.2Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.86.1Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups4Games vs. current top 10
Away games left8
Top-10 road opponents1

Toughest remaining opponent: Kansas City Chiefs at 90.6 PFM.

Around the League

League Context

Closest Team DNA Match

Built Like Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers logo
Los Angeles ChargersMatch distance: 1.87 rating points

Shared profile: Coaching Direction and Offense.

Denver supports the quarterback with timing throws and quick-game answers, while Los Angeles Chargers get there with the run game and play action. That means Denver can get the ball out before pressure changes the down, while Los Angeles Chargers can pull linebackers toward the run before throwing behind them. The quarterback gap favors Los Angeles Chargers, with the run game and play action providing the steadier structure on difficult downs.

Supporting Team Information

More About the Team

Badge History1 active badge · Last verified change Sep 28, 2026

Current badges

  1. Sep 28, 2026 · Verified season resultsEarned Giant Killer
Team Depth ChartStarters, backups and current roles

See the current Denver Broncos depth chart across offense, defense and special teams.

View Denver Broncos Depth Chart

Franchise History

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
View Denver Broncos Super Bowl History
PFM ratings updated
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