Denver Broncos 2026 Schedule Presents Tough Road Back to Playoffs

Unlike in 2025, the Denver Broncos 2026 schedule presents a much tougher slate of opponents.

Certainly, Sean Payton and the team will be determined to make to back to the postseason for a third straight year. And after winning the AFC West for the first time in a decade, Broncos Country expects them to be in the playoffs again.

And if they get there, the Broncos will be battle tested.

Denver Broncos 2026 Schedule Features 10 Playoff Opponents

Last year, the Broncos schedule was the second-easiest in the NFL to only the Patriots. The same Patriots who beat Denver in the AFC Championship Game before getting embarrassed by their owner Robert Kraft being in the Epstein Files, being humbled in Super Bowl LX, and then humiliated by the Mike Vrabel - Diana Russini affair.

But enough about the Pats.

Many football fans called the Broncos frauds last year because of that soft schedule.

Well, if and when Denver makes it back to the postseason this time around, it'll be because they ran through a difficult 2026 schedule to do so.

Last year, the Broncos schedule featured a mere five playoff teams, and six games against playoff foes.

The Denver Broncos 2026 schedule features:

• 9 playoff teams from 2025
• 10 games against playoff teams from 2025
• The NFC West, with three playoff teams and the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks
  

Heres what their 2026 schedule looks like, credit DenverBroncos.com:

According to Warren Sharp, the Broncos strength of schedule in 2026 is only 20th, and he calculates it using Las Vegas win totals.

From Sharp: "Basing strength of schedule on last year's records is lazy, inaccurate, and inefficient...Projected win totals incorporate current information about team strength, including offseason acquisitions, injuries, and coaching changes. These projections are crafted by sportsbooks aiming to predict future performance, making them more reflective of a team's current capabilities."

If we instead base strength of schedule based on 2025 records, which is how I've always historically seen it done, Denver's 2026 strength of schedule is 15th, with a .512 opponent winning percentage.

So, when looking at SOS, the Broncos schedule isn't that insane.

But, considering Denver's SOS in 2025 was second-easiest, (.422 winning percentage), this year's 11th-easiest (per Sharp) or 17th-easiest (per 2025 winning percentages) is a big jump.

And they face the best division in football, the NFC West, as well as the AFC East with Buffalo and New England.

Denver Broncos Toughest Opponents in 2026

The Broncos toughest opponents in 2026 are hard to choose.

Probably because there are so many good teams on their schedule.

Obviously, the Chiefs—whose dynasty is over, but will still be competitive—and the Chargers will be tough games for the Broncos. Although, Patrick Mahomes is recovering from an ACL, and Sean Payton/Vance Joseph have Andy Reid's number. And at this point, Bo Nix is a better quarterback than Justin Herbert.

Still, divisional games are always tough.

But I see a few more teams, specifically the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and LA Rams who will likely be even tougher in 2026.

So, who are the Denver Broncos toughest opponents in 2026?

1. Seattle Seahawks: They just won Super Bowl LX, and although they lost Kenny Walker, they are almost the exact same team who won it all a few months ago. They were the most domineering defense all year long and that's not likely to change this season. On offense, JSN is arguably the best receiver in the game right now. The good news is they'll be at Mile High and not in Seattle with the 12s.
2. LA Rams: The Rams have consistently been one of the best teams in the NFL under Sean McVay, going to the playoffs 7-of-9 years under their coach. Last year they narrowly lost to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship, and Matt Stafford is back again, making them a true contender. LA's offense was No. 1 last year and they have a ton of firepower again, even if Puka Nacua thinks concussions are fake. Again, thankfully they're at home, even if SOFI is a joke/LA fans are a joke.
3. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen and 'em are going to want revenge for that Divisional Round loss in D-town in January. Buffalo had a bit of a quiet offseason, although they're looking like Denver North lately; Connor McGovern, Lloyd Cushenberry, Bradley Chubb, and Trent Sherfield all play there. The biggest move was trading for DJ Moore, and promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the head coach. Allen can always put them on his back and carry them to victory.
4. Kansas City Chiefs: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. And yet, Mahomes lost his one game he faced the Broncos, and then he missed out on Merry Nixmas due to injury. Travis "Washed" Kelce and Midhomes will want revenge like the Bills, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the regular season series split.
5. LA Chargers: The good news is Denver has home field advantage in both games against the Chargers. The bad news is Jim Harbaugh is 3-1 vs. Sean Payton while with the Broncos. And the only loss came in Week 17 last year when Herbert and a bunch of other guys rested.

Honorable Mention: Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be Denver looking for revenge in this game. I have a feeling the Jags will be proven to be the real frauds this year.

The other playoff teams: The Steelers are a joke; they still don't have a quarterback as Aaron Rodgers is just leaving them hanging out to dry. The Patriots? Sure, man. They will be somewhat tough. But you have to think this Vrabel deal is a very distracting and Denver out-physicaled them in the AFC Championship, hurting Drake Maye. The 49ers? John Lynch should tell Kyle Shanahan he's using AI to write the playbook. Lynch has drafted terribly for years and Denver should win that one relatively easily. Oh, wait the Panthers made the playoffs last year?

The chumps: The Raiders will be better, but they couldn't get worse. The Jets? LOL. LMAO even. The Cardinals lost Kyler Murray and are starting Jacoby Brissett. I wish I were joking. And the 'Phins are a firesale, including trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos.

Vegas set Denver's win total at 9.5 and I see them going over that in 2026. Maybe just, at 10-7, or possibly as good as 12-5. We'll have to see how healthy Bo Nix is, but I have a feeling the kid will be good to go.

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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.

Pro Football Reference Links

Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle, Josh Allen, Bradley Chubb, Lloyd Cushenberry, Kyler Murray, Drake Maye, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Puka Nacua