Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos came within one game of Super Bowl LX. They went 14-3, knocked Buffalo out in overtime, then lost the AFC Championship Game 10-7. Seven points from the biggest night in the sport. The modules above this text run off the live feed, so the record, the standings and the roster stay current on their own.
Denver opens 2026 on Monday night in Kansas City and closes with two holiday games inside a month. In between, Sean Payton has done something he has almost never done in his career.
A Mile Above Everyone Else
Empower Field at Mile High is not a nickname. The stadium sits 5,280 feet above sea level, exactly one mile, and thinner air is a real variable rather than a marketing line. Kicks travel further. Visiting teams arrive a day early or not at all.
Denver plays eight games there in 2026 and nine on the road, an unusual split that puts the heavier half of the schedule away from the altitude. The AFC West picture sits in the NFL standings.
Sean Payton Gave Away the Play Sheet
Davis Webb is the offensive coordinator. He moved up from quarterbacks coach, and Payton handed him the play calling with it. For a head coach who built his reputation on calling plays himself, that is the most revealing decision of the offseason.
Vance Joseph stayed. He is in a fourth season as defensive coordinator, running a unit that has led the NFL in sacks two years running. Denver kept him rather than lose him to a head coaching vacancy.
The structure around Webb is deep. Zach Strief is assistant head coach and run game coordinator, John Morton runs the pass game, and Joe Vitt returned as senior defensive assistant. Payton surrounded a first time coordinator with people who have done it before.
Denver Broncos 2026 Season Facts
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| Offensive coordinator | Davis Webb, first season, calls plays |
| Defensive coordinator | Vance Joseph, fourth season |
| 2025 result | 14-3, lost the AFC Championship Game 10-7 |
| Division | AFC West |
| Stadium | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver |
| Home games | Eight |
| Championships | 3 |
| Conference titles | 8 |
Denver Broncos 2026 Games, Holidays Included
All times are Eastern, two hours ahead of Denver. Tap any opponent to reach that game’s page.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time ET | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon, Sept 14 | at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 2 | Sun, Sept 20 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 3 | Sun, Sept 27 | Los Angeles Rams | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | at San Francisco 49ers | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 5 | Sun, Oct 11 | at Los Angeles Chargers | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 6 | Thu, Oct 15 | Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 25 | at Arizona Cardinals | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 9 | Sun, Nov 8 | at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 10 | Bye week | – | – | – |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 22 | Las Vegas Raiders | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 12 | Fri, Nov 27 | at Pittsburgh Steelers, Black Friday | 3:00 PM | Prime Video |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | Miami Dolphins | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | at New York Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 20 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 16 | Fri, Dec 25 | Buffalo Bills, Christmas | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| 17 | TBD | at New England Patriots | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | Los Angeles Chargers | TBD | TBD |
Two of the three December road trips are in the Eastern time zone with early kickoffs, which for a team based in the Mountain zone means body clocks set to 11 in the morning. The Week 17 return to Gillette Stadium is the AFC Championship rematch, and its date is fixed only after Week 16.
Want it on paper? The Denver Broncos schedule 2026 page has a free printable PDF, a wall calendar and kickoffs in all four US time zones. Everything else is on the 2026 NFL schedule.
Denver Broncos FAQ
How did the Broncos finish the 2025 season?
14-3, tied for the best record in the NFL. They beat Buffalo 33-30 in overtime in the divisional round, then lost the AFC Championship Game 10-7 to New England.
Who is the Broncos head coach in 2026?
Sean Payton. For 2026 he handed offensive play calling to new coordinator Davis Webb, who moved up from quarterbacks coach.
Who is the Broncos defensive coordinator?
Vance Joseph, in his fourth season in the role. His defense has led the NFL in sacks in each of the last two years.
Which division are the Denver Broncos in?
The AFC West, alongside the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. They play each of those three twice a season.
Where do the Denver Broncos play home games?
Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. Eight of the seventeen regular season games are played there in 2026.
Why is it called Mile High?
The stadium sits 5,280 feet above sea level, which is exactly one mile. The thinner air is a genuine competitive factor rather than a slogan.
Do the Broncos play on Black Friday in 2026?
Yes. They travel to Pittsburgh on Friday, November 27 with a 3:00 PM ET kickoff, streaming on Prime Video.
When do the Broncos play the Chiefs in 2026?
Twice. At Arrowhead on Monday, September 14 to open the season, then at home on Sunday, November 1.
Seven points short, a play caller who stepped back and a defense that keeps arriving in the quarterback’s lap. The Denver Broncos have the shortest distance left to travel of anyone in the AFC. Bookmark this page for scores, kickoff times and the AFC West standings.
Last updated: September 9, 2026. Fixtures and staff checked against denverbroncos.com and nfl.com.
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA | DIFF | HOME | AWAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Chiefs
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 64 | 40 | +24 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| 2 |
Bills
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 77 | 62 | +15 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 3 |
Bengals
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 53 | 33 | +20 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 4 |
Jaguars
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 47 | 30 | +17 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 5 |
Raiders
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 6 |
Patriots
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 7 |
Ravens
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 58 | 47 | +11 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 8 |
Jets
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 40 | 30 | +10 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 9 |
Broncos
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 30 | 44 | -14 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 10 |
Steelers
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 23 | 33 | -10 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 11 |
Browns
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 33 | 53 | -20 | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 12 |
Dolphins
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 26 | 62 | -36 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
| 13 |
Titans
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 14 |
Chargers
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 28 | 52 | -24 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 15 |
Texans
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 16 |
Colts
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 53 | 74 | -21 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA | DIFF | HOME | AWAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Seahawks
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 44 | 17 | +27 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 2 |
Vikings
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 48 | 25 | +23 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 3 |
Bills
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 77 | 62 | +15 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 4 |
Chiefs
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 64 | 40 | +24 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| 5 |
49ers
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 62 | 20 | +42 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 6 |
Bengals
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 53 | 33 | +20 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 7 |
Raiders
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 8 |
Eagles
|
2 | 0 | 1.000 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 9 |
Bears
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 62 | 46 | +16 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 10 |
Lions
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 62 | 71 | -9 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 11 |
Saints
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 12 |
Jaguars
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 47 | 30 | +17 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 13 |
Rams
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 35 | 33 | +2 | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| 14 |
Giants
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 15 |
Broncos
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 30 | 44 | -14 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 16 |
Patriots
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 17 |
Panthers
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 71 | 62 | +9 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 18 |
Steelers
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 23 | 33 | -10 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 19 |
Ravens
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 58 | 47 | +11 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 20 |
Cowboys
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 57 | 48 | +9 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 21 |
Jets
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 40 | 30 | +10 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 22 |
Cardinals
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 33 | 45 | -12 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| 23 |
Browns
|
1 | 1 | .500 | 33 | 53 | -20 | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 24 |
Falcons
|
1 | 2 | .333 | 51 | 68 | -17 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| 25 |
Packers
|
1 | 2 | .333 | 56 | 91 | -35 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| 26 |
Colts
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 53 | 74 | -21 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| 27 |
Buccaneers
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 46 | 56 | -10 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| 28 |
Commanders
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 42 | 61 | -19 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
| 29 |
Texans
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 30 |
Titans
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 31 |
Chargers
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 28 | 52 | -24 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| 32 |
Dolphins
|
0 | 2 | .000 | 26 | 62 | -36 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
| Season | GP | REC | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | |||
| NFL 26/27 | 2 | 1-1 |
.500
|
| NFL Preseason | |||
| NFL Preseason 2026 | 3 | 2-1 |
.667
|
| Total | 5 | 3-2 |
.600
|