The Denver Broncos are once again knocking on the door of the Super Bowl - and if it feels familiar, that’s because it is. Ten years after their gritty run to a title in Super Bowl 50, Denver finds itself in a strikingly similar position: led by a ferocious defense, doubted by the masses, and just one win away from a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.
Déjà vu in the Mile High City? You bet.
Let’s break down the parallels between this 2025-26 Broncos squad and the one that brought home the franchise’s third championship back in the 2015 season. The similarities aren’t just surface-level - they run deep, from the quarterback situation to the playoff path and even the stadium hosting the big game.
Defense First, Just Like 2015
Back in 2015, the Broncos weren’t winning shootouts - they were grinding teams down with one of the most dominant defenses of the decade. That group was headlined by Von Miller, who ended up taking home Super Bowl MVP honors, and the “No Fly Zone” secondary that struck fear into opposing quarterbacks.
Fast forward to now, and while this year’s defense might not be quite as historically elite, it’s once again the backbone of the team. Pat Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, anchors a secondary that’s been making life miserable for offenses all season.
Talanoa Hufanga brings physicality and instincts, Riley Moss has emerged as a reliable contributor, and though Brandon Jones is sidelined on IR, his presence earlier in the season helped shape the unit. This group has kept Denver in games, and more often than not, they’ve been the reason the Broncos walk away with a win.
Quarterback Carousel: The Backup Factor
In 2015, Peyton Manning’s final season was a rollercoaster. Injuries and declining play forced the Broncos to turn to Brock Osweiler, who stepped in midseason and helped secure the top seed in the AFC. Osweiler’s contributions were critical - without him, Denver doesn’t get home-field advantage, and the road to the Super Bowl becomes a lot tougher.
This season, Denver’s quarterback situation has also seen its twists. While the current starter wasn’t thrust into the lineup for the first time in the AFC title game like Osweiler was earlier in the year, the backup QB storyline has again played a major role in the Broncos’ success. The team needed steady play and timely throws to keep the offense afloat - and they’ve gotten just enough to let the defense do the rest.
Doubted, Yet Dangerous
Let’s not forget: the 2015 Broncos were the No. 1 seed, but few believed they’d make it out of the AFC. Manning, clearly past his prime, looked like a liability at times, and pundits were quick to write them off. Sound familiar?
This year’s Broncos have faced the same skepticism. Despite locking up the top seed, they’ve been called everything from “frauds” to “the worst No. 1 seed in history.”
But all they’ve done is win. They’ve embraced the underdog mentality, leaned on their defense, and found ways to close out games - and now they’re one win away from proving everyone wrong.
The Patriots Again in the AFC Championship
In 2015, Denver had to get through Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to reach the Super Bowl. That AFC Championship Game was a heavyweight bout, but the Broncos emerged victorious in front of a raucous home crowd.
That win was only possible because of an earlier-season overtime victory against New England - a snowy night game in Denver where C.J. Anderson’s walk-off touchdown sealed the deal.
That regular-season win ended up being the difference between home-field advantage and a trip to Foxborough, where the Patriots were nearly unbeatable in the playoffs.
This year, it’s New England again standing between Denver and the Super Bowl. And once again, the game is in Denver - a critical edge that could swing the outcome. The Broncos know firsthand how important that is.
Back to Santa Clara
And here’s the kicker: if the Broncos do punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, they’ll be heading right back to the scene of their last triumph. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California - the site of Super Bowl 50 - is once again hosting the big game. The stadium hasn’t hosted another Super Bowl since that night a decade ago when the Broncos hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
It’s a full-circle moment. A team built on defense, counted out by many, possibly heading back to the same field where they last reached the mountaintop. The Broncos aren’t there yet - they’ve got a tough test in the AFC Championship - but the echoes of 2015 are impossible to ignore.
And if history really does repeat itself, Denver fans might want to start booking flights to the Bay.