This team feels eerily similar to the 1984 Broncos. Let's review. No one expected them to be a contender, their Super Bowl odds set at +2500. They were coming off a 9-7 season which ended with a 31-7 loss in the wildcard game. However, led by a second-year quarterback, they put together a 10 game win streak that stretched from September into December. The offense occasionally struggled and ranked in middle of the pack (12th of 28) in the NFL. A remarkable defense carried the team, finishing 2nd in the NFL in points allowed. When the season ended these Broncos were 13-3 and AFC West champs and earned a bye to the divisional round. It would be the first playoff game in Denver since the Broncos' Super Bowl season of 1977. The opponent was the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers, who did not clinch the AFC Central until the last week of the regular season. The Broncos wound up losing 24-17 to the Steelers, ending their season without a serious challenge for the Super Bowl.
Compare to the 2025 Broncos. Preseason Super Bowl odds of +2500. Finished the previous season 10-7. Lost 31-7 in the wildcard game. Second-year quarterback. Midseason winning streak reached 11 games. Offense is inconsistent and finished 14th of 32 in the league. Defense finished 3rd of 32. Finished 14-3 and earned a bye and home playoff game, which will be the first playoff game in Denver since the 2015 Super Bowl season.
One potential opponent is the 10-7 Pittsburgh Steelers who did not clinch the AFC North until the last week of the regular season.
The Steelers wouldn't be the only problematic matchup for these Broncos. The Houston Texasns lost to the Broncos during the regular season but were playing with their backup quarterback. And that was the last game they lost, finishing the season on a nine-game winning streak.
/And then there are the Buffalo Bills, who easily beat the Broncos last year in the playoffs. The Bills have not been able to get past the Chiefs and the Ravens the past few seasons, but now that those two teams are at home, this may be their best chance to get to the Super Bowl. How would you really feel about Josh Allen coming to Denver for a visit?
The Chargers gave the Broncos one of their three losses on the season and were the top challenger to the Broncos for the AFC West until faltering late. They are the #7 seed and maybe the team the Broncos would most like to see in the second round, though for that to happen the Chargers would have already been on the road and taken down the Patriots in Foxboro and restored their confidence.
Even if the Broncos get to the championship game, they could still end up facing Jacksonville, who seemed to easily handle them in December, or New England, which also finished the year 14-3.
This just has never felt like a Super Bowl season to me. They do know how to win tight games. You never know, which is what makes sports fun.
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