The Denver Broncos played a magical 2025 season in which they took the league by storm, finishing 14-3, winning their first AFC West title since 2015, and earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the process.
Denver had all the makings of a championship team. They boasted a dominant defense, an immovable offensive line, and clutch play from second-year quarterback Bo Nix. The Broncos seemed to always find a way to win.
It felt like a team of destiny, until their championship hopes were derailed when head coach Sean Payton made the shocking announcement after Denver’s win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round that Nix had broken his ankle and would miss the remainder of the postseason run.Â
With their quarterback healthy again and surrounded by another championship-caliber roster, Denver is looking to get back to the postseason, and finish the job this time around. Three things must happen if the Broncos are going to lift the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 14 in Super Bowl LXI.
3 things the Denver Broncos need to do to become Super Bowl champions
Broncos need to start games faster
Bo Nix led eight game-winning drives last season, and while having a clutch quarterback is certainly an asset, the Broncos are talented enough to cruise to victories instead of counting on last-minute heroics.
The Broncos trailed the Giants 19-0 going into the fourth quarter, and the lowly Jets 11-10 entering the final frame. They were tied 13-13 with the Chris Oladokun-led Chiefs late in the fourth quarter.Â
Denver had a habit of playing with their food and allowing inferior opponents to hang around, rather than dominating for all four quarters like the team is capable of doing.
If the Broncos can get off to faster starts and jump out to early leads, it could make the entire team even more dominant. The offense can impose its will, control the clock with the run game, and force opponents to play catch-up. Meanwhile, Denver’s defense, one of the best in the league, can pin their ears back and hunt opposing quarterbacks who will be forced to go pass-heavy to keep up.Â
The Broncos have already proved they can win close games, but the goal should be making sure they don’t have to squeak out games so often.
The Broncos’ defensive front needs to repeat its 2025 dominance
The Broncos recorded 68 sacks as a defense last year, while no other team eclipsed 60 sacks. It was one of the highest sack totals of all time, putting Denver within striking distance of the 1984 Chicago Bears’ all-time record of 72 sacks.
It’s hard to compete with a team that boasts such a ferocious pass rush, averaging four sacks a game on opposing quarterbacks.Â
The Broncos can get to quarterbacks from both the edge and the interior, with an unmatched group of pass-rushing weapons including Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Zach Allen.Â
Denver has led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons, eclipsing 60 in both years. If they can pull off the three-peat, having the league’s best pass rush will put them in excellent position to make another deep playoff run.
Bo Nix needs to stay healthy
The most important key of all for the Broncos is keeping quarterback Nix healthy.Â
Nix played the game of his life in the AFC Divisional Round, outplaying Bills quarterback Josh Allen while completing 26-of-46 for 279 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning drive in overtime.Â
Denver lost by just three points in the AFC Championship Game without Nix, and had he been healthy, the Broncos almost certainly would have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl.Â
Nix is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s the heart and soul of the Broncos.Â
As long as he stays on the field with his elite supporting cast, the Broncos will be perennial Super Bowl contenders.
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