2026 Power Rank: 3rd     2025 DVOA: 7th     2026 Schedule: 11th   2026 O-Line: 1st   Offseason: 22nd

Despite cap issues Payton navigated the Broncos to 24-10 in 2 years & were a fluke Nix injury from the Super Bowl in '25. 3rd in our '26 Power Ratings this is a solid team with a top D & O-Line. Nix is the question mark. He must elevate to get past rebound teams like the Chiefs, Bengals & Ravens. Then there is the strong Texans, Chargers, Bills & Patriots. Adding Waddle at WR is a big deal. With a manageable schedule (11th), if you think Nix will be healthy off his ankle injury & will be above average, they are a decent Super Bowl winner bet at 20-1.

2026 Power Rank: 10th    2025 DVOA: 17th    2026 Schedule: 21st   2026 O-Line: 12th   Offseason: 18th

Harbaugh's two 11-win seasons is vast improvement for the Chargers & the '25 season was without both All-Pro Tackles. With both back the O-Line should be better despite the season ending injury to FA C Biadasz. Adding a top 5 OC in McDaniel will elevate this already 12th ranked rush attack. QB Herbert gets a bad rap behind a banged-up line as he is underrated. WR's are weak beyond star McConkey. The defense was effective, #9 in scoring, but losing DC Minter is a major blow. We like them over 9 1/2 wins despite the 12th toughest schedule but are concerned about them winning road playoff games in cold weather. 

2026 Power Rank: 11th    2025 DVOA: 15th    2026 Schedule: 10th   2026 O-Line: 16th   Offseason: 22nd

The Chiefs are a hard team to handicap with Mahomes off an injury & issues at WR. Maybe Nagy's departure & the return of OC Bieniemy is the answer. The O-Line has regressed but we think 2nd-year LT Simmons should improve on a good rookie season albeit we are concerned at RT with overpaid Moore. At WR, Rice remains troublesome off the field so Worthy must elevate. The D continues to lose talent but was still 6th in PPG in '25. We are cautiously optomistic as this well coached team could elevate to 2026 Super Bowl status.

2026 Power Rank: 29th    2025 DVOA: 31st   2026 Schedule: 19th   2026 O-Line: 20th   Offseason: 1st

New coach Kubiak has his hands full despite #1 pick QB Mendoza. C Lindebaum is a solid O-Line addition (overpaid as he may be) to quality LT Miller. But the line is still ranked 20th which threatens a rookie QB in his 1st year. Their 25th ranked '25 D adds quality LB's Dean & Walker but we are skeptical highly paid additions at that position raises the D quality enough to be competitive. We expect RB Jeanty to have a breakout season after ranking 18th in yards rushing but a dismal 45th  in YPC. Brock Bowers is a major star & we think best TE in the game.