The Denver Broncos made a surprising leap last season by finishing with a 10-7 record and earning their first playoff berth since 2015, driven largely by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Despite low expectations, Nix earned the trust of head coach Sean Payton and closed the year with 3,775 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 93.3, also becoming a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Denver’s defense played a key role as well, with standout performances from safety Patrick Surtain, who garnered Defensive Player of the Year honors. This balance on both sides of the ball positioned the Broncos as a serious contender within the conference.
Analyst Predictions Favor Broncos Over Chiefs
Noted sports analyst Colin Cowherd recently released playoff predictions placing the Broncos as division champions ahead of Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs. Cowherd highlighted the Broncos’ strong training camp performance and the widespread positive impressions from reporters covering the team.
Denver maybe has the best camp so far in the league. Every reporter that’s been there says ‘wow,’
—Colin Cowherd
I think Kansas City is a good team, but I don’t think they’re going to go 11-0 in one-score games,
—Colin Cowherd
Kansas City Chiefs Face Skepticism After Narrow Victories and Offensive Struggles
The Chiefs posted a 15-2 record last season, yet many questioned their ability due to a string of close wins. These concerns intensified following their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Kansas City’s offense faltered significantly, managing to respond only late in the game after falling behind 40-22.
Patrick Mahomes’ Super Bowl performance included two interceptions, and his season statistics fell short of previous years, with under 4,000 passing yards and 26 touchdowns—the first time since his rookie year that he did not reach these benchmarks.
Rising Competition Sets Up an Intense AFC West Battle
As the 2025 season approaches, the Broncos’ progress and defensive strength present a credible challenge to the Chiefs’ dominance in the AFC West. With Bo Nix emerging as a reliable leader and Patrick Surtain anchoring the defense, Denver looks poised to contest Mahomes and Kansas City more fiercely than before. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will need to address offensive inconsistencies to maintain their upper hand.
The evolving dynamics between these teams suggest a highly competitive division race, drawing significant attention as fans and analysts anticipate how the Broncos will capitalize on their momentum against the reigning powerhouse.