The Broncos Are Winning Ugly - and That’s Exactly Why They’re Built to Last
The Denver Broncos aren’t blowing teams out. They’re not dazzling folks with 40-point offensive explosions or viral highlight reels every Sunday. But here they are, sitting at 11-2, winning close games week after week - and that’s exactly what makes them dangerous.
This isn’t a fluke. It’s the product of a team that’s been built the right way and coached even better.
While some around the league doubted whether Denver could sustain success after last year’s surprise playoff run with a rookie quarterback, the Broncos have turned that skepticism into fuel. They’ve already topped their 2024 win total, and they’re doing it with a formula that holds up in December and beyond: smart football, situational execution, and a team that knows how to close.
Let’s rewind for a second. At this time last year, Denver was 8-5 - a solid record, but still very much in the “surprising upstart” category.
Fast forward to now, and they’ve evolved into a team that knows how to win tight games. And in today’s NFL, that’s not just a nice trait - it’s a necessity.
From Afterthought to AFC West Alpha
Back in February, during Super Bowl week, NFL analyst Peter Schrager made headlines with a comment that now feels like it came from a different era. He said there was a “huge gap” between the Broncos and the Chiefs - and predicted Denver was “probably two years away” from truly competing with Kansas City.
Well, it didn’t take two years. It took 10 months.
Denver has surged past the Chiefs in the standings, and while that might shock some, the signs were there. Kansas City had been living on the edge for a while.
In 2024, they went 11-0 in one-score games - an incredible stat, but one that screamed regression. That kind of razor-thin margin for error isn’t sustainable, especially when your roster has holes.
And that’s where the contrast with Denver becomes crystal clear.
Roster Construction: Broncos Build While Chiefs Backslide
The Broncos have quietly built a roster that’s strong where it matters most - in the trenches, at quarterback, and on defense. They've made smart investments, avoided splashy but risky moves, and trusted the process under head coach Sean Payton.
The result? A team that’s not only winning, but winning in ways that translate to playoff football.
Kansas City, on the other hand, is starting to feel the effects of some missteps in roster building. Chiefs GM Brett Veach has had a few swings and misses in recent drafts, and some of the team’s cap decisions haven’t aged well. The result is a roster that’s thinner than it used to be - especially in key areas like the offensive line and skill positions.
It’s not that the Chiefs are suddenly a bad team. But they’re no longer the juggernaut that could out-talent opponents week in and week out. And in a division where Denver is ascending and the Chargers are still trying to find their footing, that matters.
This Isn’t a Flash in the Pan - It’s a Foundation
What we’re seeing from the Broncos isn’t just a hot streak. It’s the early stages of a team that could control the AFC West for years to come. They’ve got a coaching staff that’s maximizing talent, a front office that’s making the right calls, and a young core that’s growing up fast.
Could the Chiefs rebound? Absolutely.
But it’s going to take more than just one good offseason. They’ll need multiple strong drafts and some savvy cap management to get back to the level of talent they once had - and even then, it might just be enough to keep pace with Denver.
In the NFL, things change fast. One year you’re the hunted, the next you’re the hunter.
Right now, the Broncos have flipped the script in the AFC West. And the way they’re built, they might be leading the pack for a while.