What happened: The Denver Broncos finished the 2025 season with a 14-3 record and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. Despite the success, the team's season ended in a 10-7 loss where the offense failed to produce when it mattered most.

Why it matters: Denver relied on a top-ranked scoring defense and efficient play-calling to secure the top seed, but the lack of explosive playoff production is a major concern. With a long-term extension now in place for the coaching staff, the pressure is on to prove that last year's run was not just a regular-season ceiling.