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.
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Denver Broncos 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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84.7PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Broncos Here
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.
NFL Rank#10Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#5Among AFC teams
QB Stability#16Bo Nix · Built to Trust
Season OutlookPlayoff Contender
Head coachSean Payton
Offensive coordinatorDavis Webb
Defensive coordinatorVance Joseph
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsDenver Broncos Team DNA
Defensive Pressure Point
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.
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.
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.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Denver Broncos Strength of Schedule
Denver owns one of the tougher schedules in the league because San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 9 with an opponent average of 81.4 and 7 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks leaves little room for an off week.
Difficulty Rank#9No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.81.4Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.87.0Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups7Games vs. current top 10
Away games left9
Top-10 road opponents3
at Kansas City Chiefs87.2 PFM · #3
Sep 14 · 8:15 pmAwayTop 10
vs. Jacksonville Jaguars83.3 PFM · #14
Sep 20 · 4:05 pmHome
vs. Los Angeles Rams90.7 PFM · #2
Sep 27 · 8:20 pmHomeTop 10
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Seattle Seahawks at 91.3 PFM.
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Houston Texans
Houston TexansMatch distance: 1.95 rating points
Shared profile: Roster Strength and QB Stability.
Denver uses the offensive line to keep the passing game on schedule; Houston uses the offensive line to control early downs and avoid obvious passing situations. QB Stability and Roster Strength line up because the quarterback has usable protection, route answers and a second option when the preferred matchup disappears. Coaching is the main separator, with the coaching staff giving Denver more continuity from the opening script to the counterpunch.
Where they separate: Coaching Direction. Broncos hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
AFC West
Kansas City remains the division’s measuring stick when Patrick Mahomes is healthy. Denver can stay in the race by controlling field position with the defense, keeping Nix efficient and hitting Waddle when the coverage tightens. The remaining problem is proving the offense can create enough explosive plays when the defense does not control the game.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
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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