The Denver Post’s staff predictions for the 2026 season:
Nate Peterson, sports editor
Broncos record: 10-7
AFC West order: Third
Broncos’ second win: Week 4, at San Francisco
Record first six games: 2-4
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 4,097/28
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 69/287
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,148)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 39/562
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (952)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 10
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 72/1,014/6
Offensive points ranking: 11th
Defensive points ranking: 6th
Total sacks: 57
Total takeaways: 21
Rush yards allowed rank: 3rd
Nik Bonitto sacks: 10
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 81
NFL MVP: Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, L.A. Chargers
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit
DPOY: Myles Garrett, L.A. Rams
Offensive ROY: Jordyn Tyson, Saints
Defensive ROY: David Bailey, N.Y. Jets
Disappointing team: Cowboys
Surprise team: New Orleans Saints
AFC champion: Ravens
NFC champion: Rams
Super Bowl champion: Rams
Sean Keeler, sports columnist
Broncos record: 11-6
AFC West order: First
Broncos’ second win: Week 2, Jacksonville
Record first six games: 3-3
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 3922/26
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 81/352
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,013)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 31/359
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (933)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 12
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 78/1,013/7
Offensive points ranking: 11th
Defensive points ranking: 4th
Total sacks: 64
Total takeaways: 22
Rush yards allowed rank: 5th
Nik Bonitto sacks: 11
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 92
NFL MVP: Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams
Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh, N.Y. Giants
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit
DPOY: Myles Garrett, L.A. Rams
Offensive ROY: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona
Defensive ROY: David Bailey, N.Y. Jets
Disappointing team: Green Bay
Surprise team: N.Y. Giants
AFC champion: Broncos
NFC champion: Rams
Super Bowl champion: Rams
Troy Renck, sports columnist
Broncos record: 12-5
AFC West order: First
Broncos’ second win: Week 2 at home vs Jaguars
Record first six games: 3-3
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 4,100/33
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 67-305
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,090)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 40-575
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (1,005)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 13
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 87-1,090-6
Offensive points ranking: 10th
Defensive points ranking: 5th
Total sacks: 60
Total takeaways: 24
Rush yards allowed rank: 4th
Nik Bonitto sacks: 16
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 70
NFL MVP: Joe Burrow, Bengals
Coach of the Year: Sean McVay, Rams
Offensive Player of the Year: Bijan Robinson, Falcons
DPOY: Myles Garrett, Rams
Offensive ROY: Carnell Tate, Titans
Defensive ROY: Caleb Downs, Cowboys
Disappointing team: Chiefs
Surprise team: Giants
AFC champion: Broncos
NFC champion: Rams
Super Bowl champion: Broncos
Luca Evans, former Broncos beat reporter
Broncos record: 11-6
AFC West order: 2nd
Broncos’ second win: Week 4, at San Francisco
Record first six games: 2-4
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 4,017/31
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 72/297
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,126)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 43/617
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (946)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 14
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 93/1,126/7
Offensive points ranking: 9th
Defensive points ranking: 8th
Total sacks: 56
Total takeaways: 22
Rush yards allowed rank: 3rd
Nik Bonitto sacks: 15.5
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 74
NFL MVP: Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson, Bears
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
DPOY: Will Anderson, Texans
Offensive ROY: Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals
Defensive ROY: CJ Allen, Colts
Disappointing team: Eagles
Surprise team: Titans
AFC champion: Broncos
NFC champion: Bears
Super Bowl champion: Broncos
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter
Broncos record: 11-6
AFC West order: 2nd
Broncos’ second win: Week 2, Jacksonville
Record first six games: 3-3
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 4,119/27
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 80/340
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,202)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 35/530
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (994)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 13
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 99/1,202/8
Offensive points ranking: 12th
Defensive points ranking: 7th
Total sacks: 54
Total takeaways: 25
Rush yards allowed rank: 5th
Nik Bonitto sacks: 16
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 89
NFL MVP: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati
Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson, Chicago
Offensive Player of the Year: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta
DPOY: Myles Garrett, L.A. Rams
Offensive ROY: Jadarian Price, Seattle
Defensive ROY: Sonny Styles, Washington
Disappointing team: Jacksonville
Surprise team: New Orleans
AFC champion: Bills
NFC champion: Rams
Super Bowl champion: Rams
Sam Jane, beat reporter
Broncos record: 12-5
AFC West order: 1st
Broncos’ second win: Week 4 at SF
Record first six games: 3-3
Bo Nix passing yards/TDs: 4,122/29
Bo Nix rushing attempts/yards: 66-307
Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jaylen Waddle (1,157)
Marvin Mims Jr. catches and yards: 28/489
Broncos leading rusher (yards): J.K. Dobbins (1,123)
J.K. Dobbins regular season games: 14
Jaylen Waddle catches/yards/TDs: 88/1,157/8
Offensive points ranking: 10th
Defensive points ranking: 9th
Total sacks: 52
Total takeaways: 23
Rush yards allowed rank: 4th
Nik Bonitto sacks: 13.5
Talanoa Hufanga tackle total: 80
NFL MVP: Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Coach of the Year: Joe Brady, Bills
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
DPOY: Myles Garrett, L.A. Rams
Offensive ROY: De’Zhaun Allen, 49ers
Defensive ROY: Sonny Styles, Washington
Disappointing team: Eagles
Surprise team: Cowboys
AFC champion: Ravens
NFC champion: Rams
Super Bowl champion: Ravens
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