Troy Renck: There are 10-year-olds who have never seen the Broncos win an AFC West title. It is like growing up without throwing a snowball, scaling a 14er or making fun of the name of a craft beer. Life will soon return to the old normal for three decades when Denver reaches the Super Bowl with regularity. With six weeks remaining, the 9-2 Broncos lead the division by two games over the Chargers (7-4) and three over the Chiefs (6-5). A No. 1 seed remains in reach, with the New England Patriots (10-2) perched slightly ahead. Projections pin Denver with 12 victories. You taking the over or under?
Sean Keeler: If we’re setting the O/U at 12.5 wins, I’ll lean the under. But when I say “under,” I mean 12 victories, a delightful dozen. Washington is living a nightmare the Commanders can’t wake up from. The Raiders just threw Chip Kelly into the dumpster for losing to Shedeur Sanders. The Bo Brigade beat Philly on the road and KC without Pat Surtain II — 11-2 is very much on the table. After that, though? Need to start cashing in those Christmas miracles, my friend. This defense has been due an “off” week for a while. This offense is due for a reckoning. And that short turnaround with Jacksonville (Dec. 21) and Kansas City (Dec. 25) around the holidays looms like a blind switchback on a dark, wet, stormy night.
Renck: The Broncos’ remaining strength of schedule ranks in the middle of the pack. The idea of running the table is off the table because it is unrealistic to expect Denver to finish the season on a 14-game winning streak. It is easy to see them reaching 11 victories with upcoming games at Washington and Las Vegas. Then it gets greasy. The final four is a Final Four: Green Bay, Jacksonville, at Kansas City and the Chargers. They are all legit. This is where the Broncos make invisible goals tangible. They split down the stretch, giving them a lucky 13.
Keeler: And a home sweep the rest of the way wouldn’t shock me, either. The Jaguars (7-4) could very well come in here with one eye on their visit to the division rival Colts on Dec. 28. The Packers (7-3-1) never seem to love playing at elevation — the Cheeseheads are 1-4 in Denver all-time, and that lone win came in overtime 18 Octobers ago. On the flip side, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has some kind of hex on Sean Payton teams at any altitude. Or any time zone. Or any planet. Or any multiverse.
Renck: My preseason prediction had the Broncos claiming the AFC West crown at 11-6. Sold them short because of their skill at winning when ulcers aggravate and palms sweat. They are 7-2 in one-score games after going 1-6 last season. It remains a defining characteristic of a resilient team graduating from imposter to contender. The Broncos can beat anyone because of their defense, which will soon welcome back star Pat Surtain II. They can also lose to anyone because of an inconsistent offense that should have learned from the Chiefs game how to balance the strengths of Bo Nix and Sean Payton. And if they want to involve the ghost of Evan Engram down the stretch, so be it. Give me 13-4.
Keeler: My 11-6 presumed we’d get a Burrow Bowl, plus Nix vs. Stroud and Nix vs. Daniels — and we may not land any of those matchups, once the dust finally settles. But in this league, never apologize for any hay made while the sun’s shining on your backside. The football gods reached into their closets in late September, discovered that old, battered pair of 1991 Zubaz Broncos drawstring pants, were delighted to find they still fit, and never took them off. “Belief” isn’t just a cliche in an NFL locker room. It’s contagious. Just ask my pal Cam Skattebo. The Giants’ battering-ram rookie tailback was asked by DraftKings last week for a Super Bowl pick, and his face turned orange and blue. “The Broncos are good… they just find a way to win games,” the ex-Arizona State star said. “I want to say the Giants are gonna win it, but the Broncos are really good.” Can’t argue with that.