The Denver Broncos were so close to playing in the Super Bowl in nine days.

In fact, you can make a strong case if QB Bo Nix was healthy for the AFC Championship, they’d be in the big game.

But it wasn’t meant to be after Nix fractured his ankle in OT against the Buffalo Bills. That left backup Jarrett Stidham to start versus the New England Patriots, a 10-7 loss at Empower Field at Mile High.

Still, after going 14-3 this year and earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, the future looks incredibly bright. Nix is on a rookie contract, all that money from the dead cap hit on Russell Wilson is gone and the Broncos’ defense remains elite.

However, the oddsmakers disagree.

Many have released futures for Super Bowl LXI, the championship following the 2026 NFL season, and somehow Denver is 12th on the list. You may have to open the photo below to see the full odds.

After being one game away from the Super Bowl this season, the Broncos have the 12th best odds (+2000) to win Super Bowl LXI

The sports books still have no faith in the Broncos 🫩

per @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/FlM2lGMDwh

— Sidelines Broncos (@SSN_Broncos_) January 30, 2026

The Seahawks, Rams, Ravens, Bills, Packers, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Chiefs, Patriots and 49ers all have better odds than the Broncos. Sean Payton’s team checks in at 20-1 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in about 12.5 months.

Obviously, the AFC was down this season. People expect Lamar Jackson and Baltimore to rebound as well as Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. It is interesting that the Chargers (who can’t win in the playoffs with Justin Herbert) are ahead of the Broncos. Same goes for Josh Allen and the Bills who Denver just beat.

At the end of the day these odds are designed to draw action and get people talking about them. It worked in this case, but it also feels a little disrespectful to Denver given how close they were this year. If Nix never fractures his ankle we could’ve had a parade in two weeks.

The Broncos thrived as underdogs in 2025, it looks like they’ll need to pull the same card again in 2026.