Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs

As the NFL regular season winds down, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a familiar yet exciting position: clinging to a wild-card spot and sparking debate about their playoff potential. But this year, there’s a clear trend emerging from fan polls across the country—optimism is high, and a majority of football fans believe the Broncos have what it takes to not just make the playoffs, but make noise once they’re there. From national sports outlets to local Denver radio surveys, polls are painting a picture of a fanbase (and even neutral observers) that’s bought into the Broncos’ late-season surge, led by rookie QB Bo Nix and a stingy defense. Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs explores the data behind this optimism, the reasons fans are backing the Broncos, and how this support could become a secret weapon in the team’s playoff push.

Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs begins with a look at national polls that highlight the Broncos’ rising stock. A recent survey by ESPN, which asked 10,000 NFL fans to predict playoff teams, found that 62% of respondents picked the Broncos to earn an AFC wild-card spot—up from just 28% a month earlier. The poll also asked fans to rate each team’s “playoff readiness,” and the Broncos ranked 7th in the AFC, ahead of teams like the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. “The shift in fan sentiment is tied directly to the Broncos’ recent wins,” said ESPN analyst Adam Schefter, who helped break down the poll results. “They’ve beaten two divisional rivals (Raiders, Chargers) and a playoff contender (Commanders) in the last three weeks, and fans are taking notice.” Another national poll, conducted by NFL.com, asked fans which rookie QB they’d trust most in a playoff game—and Bo Nix finished second only to the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, with 31% of the vote. For the Broncos, this national recognition is a far cry from the preseason, when most polls had them pegged as a bottom-tier AFC team. It’s a sign that the team’s on-field success is translating to broader respect.

Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs focuses on local Denver polls, which show even stronger support for the team. A survey by 92.3 The Fan, a popular Denver sports radio station, asked 5,000 local fans two questions: “Will the Broncos make the playoffs?” and “How far will they go?” The results were overwhelming: 89% of respondents said the Broncos would make the playoffs, and 47% predicted they’d win at least one playoff game (a first-round upset). The poll also highlighted which players fans believe are most critical to the Broncos’ success: 68% named Bo Nix, followed by defensive back Justin Simmons (15%) and kicker Wil Lutz (10%). “Local fans have seen this team grow all season,” said 92.3 host Mike Evans, who discussed the poll on air. “They watched the early struggles, the midseason turnaround, and now they’re seeing a team that plays with confidence. That’s why the optimism here is through the roof.” The radio station also shared anecdotes from fans, including one who wrote, “I haven’t felt this good about a Broncos team since 2015. This isn’t just hope—it’s belief.”

Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs delves into the reasons behind the poll results—specifically, which aspects of the Broncos’ game have fans most excited. A breakdown of the ESPN poll found that 43% of fans cited Nix’s development as the primary reason for their optimism, while 29% pointed to the defense’s improvement (the Broncos have allowed just 19 points per game in their last five outings). Another 18% mentioned the team’s “mental toughness,” referencing come-from-behind wins against the Chargers and Commanders. For the Denver Broncos, these poll insights align with what’s happening on the field: Nix has cut down on turnovers (just two interceptions in his last six games), the defense has forced 11 turnovers in that span, and the team has won four games by three points or less—signs of a squad that knows how to win tight, playoff-style games. “Fans aren’t just guessing—they’re watching the details,” said Broncos special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. “They see Bo making better decisions, the defense getting stops when it counts, and they think, ‘This team can hang with anyone.’” That confidence is what’s driving the poll numbers.

Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs explores how neutral fan polls are leaning toward the Broncos in potential playoff matchups. A poll by Pro Football Talk asked 8,000 neutral fans (those who don’t root for the Broncos or their possible playoff opponents) to predict the outcome of a hypothetical first-round game between the Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. Surprisingly, 48% of neutral fans picked the Broncos to upset the Chiefs, compared to 52% who favored Kansas City. The poll also asked about a matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and the Broncos narrowly lost that one (45% to 55%), but the fact that they’re competitive in neutral polls is notable. “Neutral fans are drawn to the Broncos’ underdog story,” said Pro Football Talk writer Mike Florio. “They see a young QB playing well, a coach (Sean Payton) with a Super Bowl ring, and a team that’s peaking at the right time. That’s an appealing narrative.” For the Denver Broncos, neutral fan support could translate to a more favorable atmosphere in potential road playoff games—though the team is still fighting for a higher seed to avoid that scenario. It also speaks to the broader respect the team has earned, which wasn’t the case earlier in the season.

Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs concludes with the impact of these polls on the team and the fanbase. While players and coaches often say they don’t pay attention to polls, there’s no denying that widespread optimism can boost morale. Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto, who’s become a fan favorite after his game-winning fumble return, mentioned the polls in a recent interview. “We hear about it—fans stop us on the street, tell us they voted for us in some poll,” Bonitto said. “It makes you want to work harder, because you don’t want to let them down.” For the Denver Broncos, the polls are also a reflection of the team’s ability to unite a fanbase that’s endured years of disappointment. A separate poll by the Denver Post found that 76% of local fans plan to watch every Broncos game in the playoffs, and 62% said they’ll attend a watch party—numbers that show the team has rekindled a sense of community. As the regular season ends, the polls are sending a clear message: fans believe in the Broncos. Now, it’s up to the team to turn that belief into results. In the end, Fan Polls Favor the Denver Broncos in Playoffs is a story of hope—of a team that’s exceeded expectations and a fanbase that’s ready to ride the wave, no matter where it leads.