The Denver Broncos finished at the bottom of the AFC West with a 5-12 record in 2022, something new head coach Sean Payton will aim to avoid in 2023.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra recently ranked the eight last-place teams from 2022 based on their likelihood of jumping up to first in their division in 2023. The Broncos came in at No. 5 on that list, behind the Chicago Bears (No. 4), Cleveland Browns (No. 3), Atlanta Falcons (No. 2) and New York Jets (No. 1).
Here is part of Patra’s commentary on Denver’s ranking:
Sean Payton’s arrival immediately elevates Denver’s chances to compete. There is a lot to like on this roster. … The biggest question is whether Payton’s magic will coax Russell Wilson back to his Pro Bowl ways after a disastrous 2022 campaign. But the biggest knock on Denver’s chances of going from worst to first is playing in the AFC West, where they’d have to knock off Patrick Mahomes and the back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back division-winning Chiefs.
The Washington Commanders (No. 6), Houston Texans (No. 7) and Arizona Cardinals (No. 8) are ranked below the Broncos on NFL.com’s list.
Patra makes a fair point about KC being tough to top in 2023. It seems fair to say that most Denver fans would be pleased with simply returning to the playoffs as a Wild-Card team this season. A division title would be great, but the Broncos should first worry about snapping a seven-year playoff drought.
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