Current morning routine for Nuggets, Avs and Broncos fans: wake up, pinch self.
Current morning routine for Rockies fans: wake up, punch self.
Even as Jonas Valanciunas weighs whether to be a gyro for Panathinaikos or a hero for the Nuggets, there has never been a better time to be a fan of three of Colorado’s professional sports teams. Or a more appropriate time to wear a paper bag when watching the Local 9.
Diehards, give yourself a round of applause, you have earned this.
The Broncos, Avs, Nuggets and Rockies insist they want to win championships. Say, they do, anyway. The Rockies want to win a title the same way you want to win the lottery — with a $2 ticket and a whole lotta of luck.
For the first time, three teams — the Avs, Nuggets and Broncos — boast a realistic chance of winning a title in the same season. That is a first for us. The Avs and Broncos have won three titles apiece since 1995. The Nuggets finally broke through in 2023. And the Rockies? Well, instead of holding a downtown parade, they built a downtown party deck.
There has never been a season that all four teams qualified for the postseason. It has only happened with three teams four times: in 2007, 2009, 2018 and 2024. All but one — this past year — coincided with one of the Rockies’ five playoff berths.
Looking at records and expectations, 2018 was similar to this year. The Avs lost in the first round, the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference semifinals and the Rockies were eliminated in the wild card round.
But the Avs were not viewed as a Cup contender, and the Nuggets missed the playoffs the year prior. The Rockies posted back-to-back postseason berths for the only time in franchise history, but even the Up With Purple crowd did not view them as a World Series threat. As for the Broncos, they were getting Vance Joseph fired as Case Keenum looked more like an actor playing a quarterback on the Lifetime Channel than in the NFL.
That is what makes this upcoming season special.
Per ESPNBet, the Avs own the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup behind the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers. And they won a title three years ago with this kind of roster. No more excuses. General manager Chris MacFarland and coach Jared Bednar should be on a Bunsen burner, if not fired, if the Avs don’t reach the Western Conference Finals with a healthy Gabe Landeskog, eligible Val Nichushkin and functional goalies in place.
The Nuggets, too, have a realistic shot at raising another banner, though it hinges on landing a legitimate backup for Nikola Jokic. They are deeper and more versatile with the additions of Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., which their fifth-best championship odds reflect. Counting on Jamal Murray to deliver his best season remains an uncomfortable feeling, but the Nuggets get the benefit of the doubt with a reshaped front office that knows how to use a cell phone.
As for the Broncos, their title odds require suspension of reason. They rank 16th best. But my prediction is that they will end the Chiefs’ nine-year run of AFC West dominance.
Denver’s defense is the best in football. The offense has questions. Sound familiar?
The last time the Broncos were in this position, they won Super Bowl 50. Denver requires uncommon health for a third straight season — looking at you, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Evan Engram and J.K. Dobbins. And 36 combined touchdowns from Bo Nix. They will win a home playoff game, giving them a puncher’s chance in the Elite Eight.
In some ways, 2025 conjures memories of 1997. The Avs, equipped with a battery of stars; the Broncos, embarrassed by a first-round flop against Jacksonville; and Rockies, at the height of their home run powers, all had realistic championship ambitions. The Nuggets, like the current Rockies, were embarrassing themselves regularly before posting an 11-71 record. Only the Broncos crossed the finish line first.
Since 1995, the Avs have set the standard. Do you realize our hockey team has four losing seasons in 29 years? Compare that to the Nuggets (12) and Broncos (10). Or put another way, the Avs have 21 winning seasons, and the Rockies have 20 losing seasons.
One team considers not playing in June a disappointment. The other hopes to reach June as relevant.
The Nuggets mirror the Avs in their goals and the possession of a former league MVP. The Broncos as a contender is no longer spin with coach Sean Payton, Nix and a nasty defense.
All three will compete for a title. One will win a championship. And a fourth should be sold or face relegation.
Savor this unique moment in time, fans, you deserve this.
Well, not the Rockies, no one deserves them.
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