Broncos prove they are legitimate threat to Chiefs in blowout of Cowboys

Even though the win pushed the Broncos to 6-2 and kept them atop the AFC West, the three-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs are still heavy favorites to win the division for the 10th consecutive season. Yet while the Chiefs may still have the edge at quarterback, the sheer volume of talent on the Broncos' roster gives them a great chance to end the Chiefs' streak. 

Why Broncos are a legitimate threat to Chiefs

Any conversation about the Broncos needs to start with their world-class defense. The unit led the NFL in points allowed per drive last season, and while they haven’t been quite as dominant this year, they still boast elite playmakers at every level. 

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II continues to be the game’s best cornerback, while linebacker Nik Bonitto is making his case for the award this year with eight sacks and seven tackles-for-loss through eight games. Veterans Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen continue to wreak havoc in the front seven, while safety Talanoa Hufanga has further solidified the secondary after coming over from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Even though a blowup against the high-powered Indianapolis Colts has inflated their numbers a bit, the Broncos still rank in the top five in both points (fifth, 18.9) and yards allowed (fifth, 281.4) per game.

The Broncos' dominance on defense gives them a floor of at least a playoff team, but it has been the ascension on offense that has them looking like Super Bowl contenders. The running game has taken a huge step forward with the additions of Dobbins and Harvey, jumping from 16th in total rushing yards to third (1,102). Second-year wideout Troy Franklin has emerged as a solid complementary option to Courtland Sutton and leads the team with four touchdown receptions. And while he still makes his fair share of mistakes, Nix has been absolute money when it matters most, including leading huge fourth-quarter comebacks over the Giants and Eagles, and is aided by one of the league’s best offensive lines. 

The Chiefs will always have the benefit of the doubt as long as they have star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, but the Broncos may be their best challenger during their decade of dominance. The Broncos secondary is well-equipped to neutralize the Chiefs' speedy receiver core, while the combination of Dobbins and Harvey can take the pressure off Nix and keep Mahomes on the sideline. 

Perhaps most importantly, the team exudes the confidence of their head coach, Sean Payton, and won’t be intimidated by the Chiefs’ mystique. The two teams will face off for the first time this season in Week 11 in what could be one of the most important matchups of the 2025 season.