Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos

Entering the 2025 NFL season, the Denver Broncos were written off by nearly every analyst, fan, and even some former players. Pundits labeled their roster the “worst in the AFC West,” predicting a bottom-three finish league-wide, with some outlets forecasting just 4 wins. The skepticism was rooted in off-season losses (key veterans like defensive end Bradley Chubb and wide receiver Courtland Sutton left in free agency), a thin depth chart at critical positions (offensive line, secondary), and lingering questions about quarterback Russell Wilson’s ability to rebound. But football has a way of defying predictions, and the Broncos did just that: turning a narrative of despair into one of the most inspiring turnarounds in recent league history. Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos isn’t just a story of overachievement; it’s a testament to resilience, strategic coaching, and the belief that no team is defined by preseason hype—or hate.

Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos began with a coaching staff that refused to accept the narrative. Head coach Sean Payton, entering his third season with the Broncos, used the low expectations as fuel, delivering a fiery speech to the team in late July that would set the tone for the year. “Every time someone says you’re the worst, they’re giving you a gift,” Payton told the players. “They’re lowering the bar so far that even stepping over it will shock them. But we’re not here to step over it—we’re here to jump over it and leave them wondering how.” Payton and his staff made immediate adjustments: simplifying the offensive playbook to play to Wilson’s strengths (short passes, mobility), shifting the defense to a more aggressive scheme that emphasized blitzes and takeaways, and prioritizing “winning the margins” (special teams, turnovers, field position) that often decide close games. These changes weren’t glamorous, but they were effective—and they laid the groundwork for what was to come. By the end of training camp, players noticed a shift: the locker room, once filled with uncertainty, now buzzed with confidence. “Coach Payton didn’t let us believe the noise,” said linebacker Drew Sanders. “He made us believe in each other.”

Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos gained momentum with a surprising 3-1 start to the regular season—including a statement win over the defending AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. The Broncos’ Week 1 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders (31-17) was dismissed by many as a fluke, but Week 3’s 22-21 win over the Raiders (secured by Wil Lutz’s 53-yard game-winning field goal) started to turn heads. Then came Week 4: facing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, the Broncos’ defense sacked Mahomes four times, forced two turnovers, and held Kansas City to just 24 points—enough for Wilson to lead a fourth-quarter comeback, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin. The 27-24 win wasn’t just a victory; it was a declaration. “That game proved we weren’t just lucky,” said defensive tackle D.J. Jones. “We were good—good enough to beat the best.” The Broncos’ 3-1 start was their best since 2013, and it forced analysts to rewrite their narratives. ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings, which had the Broncos at 30th in preseason, jumped them to 18th after Week 4—and they’d keep climbing.

Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos was fueled by the emergence of young, unproven players who stepped into key roles. Undrafted cornerback Tyler Hill, who was initially signed to the practice squad, became a shutdown defender, intercepting three passes in the first six weeks and breaking up eight others. Second-year offensive lineman Marcus Henderson, a third-round pick in 2024, took over at right tackle and didn’t allow a single sack in his first eight starts—stabilizing an offensive line that was projected to be a liability. Even on special teams, rookies shined: punt returner Jamal Agnew returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in Week 3, the Broncos’ first special teams touchdown since 2022. These players, once afterthoughts, became integral parts of the Broncos’ success—and their growth was a direct result of the team’s focus on development. “We never saw ourselves as the ‘worst’ team,” said Hill. “We saw ourselves as a team with something to prove. Every game, we tried to prove it.” The Denver Broncos’ ability to turn unknowns into contributors wasn’t an accident; it was a product of Payton’s staff giving young players opportunities and trusting them to deliver. By midseason, those opportunities had paid off: the Broncos were 6-2, and Hill, Henderson, and Agnew were all receiving Pro Bowl buzz.

Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos also relied on veteran leadership—specifically, Wilson’s resurgence as a clutch quarterback. After two underwhelming seasons in Denver, Wilson entered 2025 with something to prove, and he delivered: through the first 10 weeks, he threw for 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions, leading four game-winning drives. His performance in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills (280 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions) was particularly impressive, as he led the Broncos to a 27-24 overtime win despite playing with a sprained ankle. “Russell’s leadership this year has been incredible,” said wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. “He’s not just our quarterback—he’s our leader. When the game is on the line, he makes everyone around him better.” Wilson’s resurgence wasn’t just about stats; it was about mindset. He spent extra time with young receivers like Franklin, helping them refine their routes and read coverages. He led team dinners and film sessions, fostering camaraderie in the locker room. For the Denver Broncos, Wilson’s turnaround was the catalyst for the team’s turnaround—proof that a single player’s belief can lift an entire franchise.

Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos culminated in a 12-5 regular-season record, an AFC West title, and a first-round bye in the playoffs—their first playoff appearance since 2015. Along the way, they won eight games decided by 7 points or fewer, a testament to their ability to perform under pressure. In the AFC Divisional Round, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in overtime (again, thanks to Lutz’s clutch kicking), advancing to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2015. While they ultimately lost to the Baltimore Ravens, the season was a triumph. “This year wasn’t just about winning games,” said Payton after the season. “It was about changing the culture of this franchise. We went from being the team everyone laughed at to the team everyone feared—and that’s something to be proud of.” For Broncos fans, the 2025 season was a reminder of why they love the game: it’s a sport where underdogs can rise, narratives can be rewritten, and the “worst” team can become one of the best. In the end, Turns Around Projected Worst for the Denver Broncos is more than a story of a single season—it’s a story of hope. It proves that with hard work, belief, and a little bit of grit, anything is possible.