The Denver Broncos are looking to return to the AFC Championship, and this time, get a leg up on the competition and compete for a Super Bowl. Bo Nix is back, and ahead of schedule, the team has added one of the league’s best WRs via Jaylen Waddle, and Denver returns one of the best defenses in the league, with All-World CB Patrick Surtain at the top of his game.

But is this the year that the Broncos get over the hump? Is the start of training camp the start of something great in Denver? We asked Grok for an unbiased take on how things could look in 2026.

Denver Broncos 2026 season simulation

Coming off a 14-3 AFC West title and No. 1 seed in 2025 (AFC Championship loss), the Broncos largely ran it back under Sean Payton with continuity, added WR Jaylen Waddle via trade, and promoted Davis Webb to OC/play-caller. Bo Nix returns healthy from a late-playoff ankle injury. Strong defense (Patrick Surtain II, Talanoa Hufanga, Nik Bonitto, etc.) and solid OL remain core strengths. Schedule is rugged early (many 2025 playoff teams).

Preseason

• @ Falcons: W 24-17 (starters limited; depth looks solid)
• vs Packers: W 20-13
• vs Vikings: L 16-21 (rested starters; final tune-up)

Preseason record: 2-1

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Regular Season Game-by-Game

Week 1: @ Chiefs (MNF) — W 23-20 Nix efficient in a defensive battle. Mahomes (returning from ACL) not fully sharp. Surtain clamps the Chiefs’ top target; late Wil Lutz FG. 1-0

Week 2: vs Jaguars — W 31-17 Waddle explodes for 120+ yards and a TD in home debut. Run game (Dobbins/Harvey) controls clock. Revenge for 2025 home loss. 2-0

Week 3: vs Rams (SNF) — L 24-27 Tough loss in a shootout. Rams’ offense clicks; Broncos’ late drive stalls. Defense holds firm most of the night. 2-1

Week 4: @ 49ers — W 20-16 Grinding road win. Secondary forces turnovers; Nix manages the game. 3-1

Week 5: @ Chargers — L 17-24 Herbert outduels Nix in a divisional road setback. Pass rush generates pressure but not enough. 3-2

Week 6: vs Seahawks (TNF) — W 28-21 Waddle + Sutton combo shines under the lights. Bonitto and edge rush disrupt. Strong response after road loss. 4-2

Week 7: @ Cardinals — W 27-13 Dominant on both sides. Defense stifles; offense methodical. 5-2

Week 8: vs Chiefs — W 30-17 Sweep complete. Nix sharp, Waddle big plays, secondary lockdown. Mile High electric. 6-2

Week 9: @ Panthers — W 34-14 Blowout. Offense hits stride; backups get run late. 7-2

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: vs Raiders — W 31-10 Division dominance continues. Easy home win. 8-2

Week 12: @ Steelers (Black Friday) — L 19-23 Physical, low-scoring slog. Steelers’ defense and late FG edge it. 8-3

Week 13: vs Dolphins — W 27-20 Solid rebound. Nix efficient; run defense key. 9-3

Week 14: @ Jets — W 24-13 Controlled road win. Defense forces mistakes. 10-3

Week 15: @ Raiders — W 28-17 Sweep of Las Vegas. Depth and coaching show. 11-3

Week 16: vs Bills (Christmas) — L 23-26 (OT) Rematch of 2025 Divisional. High-drama OT loss; Bills edge a classic. 11-4

Week 17: @ Patriots — W 21-17 Gritty road victory to clinch strong seeding. Defense holds late. 12-4

Week 18: vs Chargers — W 27-14 Home finale clinches AFC West. Starters rest most of second half after early lead. 13-4

Final Regular Season

Record: 13-4 AFC West: 1st (strong division record) AFC seeding: No. 2 or 3 (depending on other results; first-round bye or home wild-card likely)

Standout performers (sim stats):

• Bo Nix: ~4,100 yards, 28–32 TDs, low INTs, improved efficiency under Webb.
• Jaylen Waddle: 90+ catches, 1,200+ yards, big-play threat alongside Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims.
• J.K. Dobbins / RJ Harvey: Balanced ground attack.
• Defense: Top-5 unit again—Surtain elite, Hufanga impactful, Bonitto double-digit sacks range, strong secondary.
• Special teams: Lutz reliable.

Playoffs (simulated)

• Divisional Round (home): W vs. strong AFC foe (e.g., Ravens/Bills-style matchup) 27-20. Balanced attack + takeaways.
• AFC Championship (home or road): L 24-31 in a hard-fought title-game rematch-style contest. Offense productive but one too many explosive plays allowed; close but short again.

Season summary

The Broncos take the next step as true contenders. Continuity + Waddle + Webb’s scheme elevate the offense without sacrificing elite defense. Tough early slate tests them (start 4-2), but they peak mid-to-late season, sweep the Chiefs, and claim the division with 13 wins. Health is key (Nix fully healthy all year in this sim). They fall just short of the Super Bowl again but cement themselves as perennial AFC powers under Payton. Broncos Country is loud and optimistic heading into 2027.

This is one plausible high-end outcome based on roster strength, coaching, and schedule difficulty—results can vary with injuries, variance, and other teams’ form.