When the Denver Broncos' 2026 regular season schedule was first released, the initial reaction was one of dread—especially with that daunting first six-game stretch. But now, a growing number of analysts are flipping the script, suggesting the Broncos might actually have one of the most favorable schedules in the entire NFL. A big shoutout to GratefulBronco for sparking this conversation in the FEED.
Nick Shook of NFL.com recently broke down why the Broncos' path to success is more promising than it first appears. Sure, they kick off the season with a prime-time showdown against the rival Chiefs in Kansas City—a tough ask for any team. But after that, the schedule tilts in Denver's favor. The Broncos will host most of their strongest non-division opponents at the friendly confines of Mile High Stadium, including the Jaguars, Rams, Seahawks, and Bills. That's a major advantage for a team that thrives on altitude and crowd energy.
The schedule is also remarkably balanced, with no more than two road games in consecutive weeks. If the Broncos can leverage their home-field advantage to knock off 2025 playoff qualifiers like the Jaguars and Rams in September, they should emerge from the first month in solid shape—even with road tests against the 49ers and Chargers looming. Perhaps the most encouraging detail: Denver's two December road games come against the Jets and Raiders, two winnable matchups that could set them up for a strong finish. The season closes with a challenging trio that includes home games against the Bills and Chargers, but if any team is built to finish strong, it's the reigning AFC West champs.
Shook's take on surviving the first six games mirrors my own thinking. If the Broncos can emerge from that stretch at or above .500, the rest of the schedule looks genuinely favorable. There isn't a single game left that feels like a brutal, insurmountable hurdle.
After a few days of reflection, I'm actually warming up to this schedule. The bye week is perfectly positioned, and everything boils down to one simple mission: take care of business in the first six weeks. If they can do that, the Broncos will be in prime position to make a serious playoff push.