Are the Denver Broncos contenders or pretenders?
That’s a popular question across the NFL landscape currently, and within Broncos Country, too.
It’s hard to argue with an 8-2 record and a one-game lead in the AFC West, and yet, it’s hard to tell how good this team is.
Are the Denver Broncos contenders or pretenders?
According to The Athletic, the Denver Broncos are pretenders, despite leading the AFC West and being the conference’s No. 3 seed.
The Broncos are "Pretenders" but they're in good company with the Bills, Packers, and Bucs, I guess.
— Rich Kurtzman 🍃🦃🏈 (@sportsballitics.bsky.social) 2025-11-13T16:09:04.782Z
From the piece:
Denver Broncos (8-2) — Pretender
The Broncos have a strong record, but some of those wins may be fool’s gold. Their first-half opponents owned a combined 23-48-1 record, and yet, the Broncos’ average margin of victory is just 6.2 points. Four of those contests were decided by 3 points or fewer. On one hand, four fourth-quarter comebacks show resilience, but the continued offensive struggles and erratic play from Bo Nix are concerning. If not for a dominant defense that leads the league with 46 sacks, Denver would not own a winning record.
Among the pretenders are the Broncos, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, and Bills. It is somewhat mystifying how well the Colts have done on offense this year, and Johnathan Taylor could carry them into the playoffs. But will they win a game in the postseason? Similarly, the Steelers seem right as “pretenders” here because they’re not elite on either side of the ball.
But the Broncos are elite on defense, the Bills are the best rushing team in the NFL, and the Chargers are sneakily good. The verdict is still out on them, and you can’t count the Bills out considering they made it to the AFC Championship Game last year.
Still, the criticisms of the Broncos are valid, here. Namely, the offense has been awful in the first three quarters, with a +2 point differential, but superb in the 4th (+60 point diff.). And Bo Nix has been shaky-at-best in most games; it’s enough to make some wonder if he’s a franchise QB or not.
As for the contenders, The Athletic names the Chiefs, Ravens, Lions, Eagles, Seahawks, and Rams among them.
Broncos – Chiefs is a huge game for the AFC West this week
When the Broncos host the Chiefs on Sunday, it’s a must-win game for Kansas City.
That’s because, Denver currently holds a 58% chance of winning the division, and that increases to 82% with a win. If the Chiefs come out victorious, though, the odds will flip in K.C.’s favor. To the tune of 51% for the Chiefs, 37% for Denver.
This game is a major “prove it” contest for Nix, the offense, Sean Payton, and even the special teams.
Not so much for the defense; they’re arguably the best unit in the NFL this year. They lead the league in sacks, with 46, and lead the NFL in pressures, too.
And the way Buffalo beat Kansas City two weeks ago was by pressuring him relentlessly and sacking Patrick Mahomes three times.
As for the Broncos offense, they need to start fast. Yes, this is the same storyline from basically every game this year, but they’ve been terrible early in games.
Getting out to a lead against the Chiefs would bode well considering the home crowd will be in full throat, and Kansas City will likely be without starting running back Isaiah Pacheco this week. Simply, Denver doesn’t want to play from behind against a team who’s proven time and time again they can beat anyone, anywhere.
Sean Payton needs to call the best game of the year this week, and he’s had a few extra days to game plan thanks to the Thursday night game.
Andy Reid and Mahomes have had extra time to prepare, too; they are incredible coming off the bye, at 6-1 together.
And keep in mind, if this game is close—which I suspect it will be—the special teams could be the difference. Denver’s special teams has muffed two punts, allowed a field goal block this year, and allowed that one by the Chiefs in Kansas City last year.
If the Broncos want to move from “pretenders” to “contenders” beating the Chiefs this week will go a long way in doing just that.
Broncos-Chiefs kick off at 2:25 p.m. MT at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 16.