Should Broncos fans be upset or optimistic over team's 2026 schedule?

Yikes.

One would think that the Broncos have one of the most difficult schedules in the league. But, at least in terms of winning percentage from last season, they don't. Would it surprise you that the Broncos actually have one of the easiest schedules? While that may sound ridiculous, when considering winning percentage from last season, they have the league's fourth-easiest schedule in 2026.

Broncos' 2026 schedule can be looked at in two different ways

While that gauntlet to open the season is quite difficult, at least on paper, there could be a silver lining. After that Seattle game in Week 6, things lighten up considerably for Denver, giving the team a chance to go on a run and create a ton of steam heading into the postseason.

Here is how Nick Shook of NFL.com sees it:

"After opening the season with a prime-time date against the rival Chiefs in Kansas City, the Broncos will be happy to host most of their strongest non-division opponents in Denver. The Jaguars, Rams, Seahawks and Bills are all due to visit the Mile High City. The Broncos’ schedule is remarkably balanced, with no more than two road games in consecutive weeks. If they can use their home-field advantage to score wins over 2025 playoff qualifiers in the Jaguars and Rams in September, they should make it out of the first month in a manageable spot, although things do get tougher with road contests against the 49ers and Chargers. Perhaps most importantly, Denver's two December road games come against the Jets and Raiders. The Broncos close things out with a challenging trio of matchups that includes home games against the Bills and Chargers, but if any team is well positioned to finish strong, it's the reigning AFC West champs."

Perhaps the league actually did the Broncos a favor by putting a bunch of the heavyweights on their schedule on the front end of the slate. The Broncos will have a good chance to be at full health for those games and, as mentioned by Shook, they will play several of those games in Denver.

HOT READ:Broncos experience familiar disrespect shortly after 2026 schedule release

If the Broncos can navigate the first six weeks without losing three or four games, they will have a great chance to reach their ultimate goal this season. Those first six weeks are going to be hugely important.

More Broncos Content

Broncos' 2026 game-by-game record prediction: Denver faces rough first-place schedule

Denver Broncos' 5 most must-win games on 2026 schedule

NFL Schedule Release: 5 most difficult games on Broncos' 2026 slate

Broncos expected to be a top primetime attraction in 2026 regular season