Broncos break into Top 10 but seek national recognition
The feeling among fans in Broncos Country is undeniable: The Denver Broncos have established themselves as one of the elite teams in the NFL. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by a sober reality: the national media remains skeptical, at least for now.
Power Rankings Fluctuate
Despite a dominating victory against the formidable Dallas Cowboys, where the Broncos won by three touchdowns, their rise in the weekly power rankings was less dramatic than expected. Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News recognized the Broncos’ impressive performance, moving them up just two spots to 10th. While a top-10 finish is certainly a positive development, it still puts the Broncos behind nine other teams in Iyer’s assessment.
“The Broncos continued to score against the Cowboys after that massive Bo Nix-fueled comeback against the Giants, and this time they didn’t see their defense stumble to maintain a lead,” Iyer noted. Still, the concern hanging over the team is the health of star cornerback Pat Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Challenges ahead
Looking ahead, the Broncos face a tough schedule with games against the Houston Texans and a home matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Winning both would raise their record to 8-2, but it’s uncertain how much it would impact their power rankings. The real test could come in Week 11 when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Denver. This game represents a crucial opportunity for the Broncos to go from an up-and-coming team to serious Super Bowl contenders in the eyes of national pundits.
If the Broncos can pick up a win against the Chiefs and improve their record to 9-2, they would undoubtedly attract attention and respect across the league.
Injury Concerns
Meanwhile, the Broncos face injury challenges. The recent setback involving their star cornerback could unintentionally shift the pressure onto rookie Riley Moss, which could impact the team’s defensive strategies moving forward.
As the Broncos work to solidify their identity in a competitive NFL landscape, each game represents more than just a win or loss; it’s an opportunity to earn the respect they feel they deserve.
