Main Story: Denver is 7-2, but its record masks a team that has been outgained by 699 yards—the worst mark ever for a team with at least seven wins through nine games. The Broncos’ streak of close-game wins and Bo Nix’s late comebacks have kept them near the top, while recent offensive improvement offers hope they can become more than a lucky contender.

By the Numbers
  • Denver has won 16 straight one-score games, an NFL record.
  • The Broncos have been outgained in 7 of 9 games and outscored by 41-39 on points off turnovers.
  • Six of their 7 wins were by 8 points or fewer; Nix has 5 fourth-quarter comebacks.
  • Teams that started 7-2 or better and were outgained won 56.6% of their remaining regular-season games, compared with 68.6% for teams that weren’t outgained.
Yes, But

Denver’s historic yardage deficit and slim point margin suggest its record is better than its underlying performance. Still, teams have made deep runs despite being outgained: the 2012 Ravens won the Super Bowl, while the 2010 Patriots finished 14-2. That path is possible, but the numbers suggest it’s harder to sustain.

State of Play
  • The Broncos are on their bye after five straight wins.
  • The offense has improved over the past three weeks, while the defense has slipped in the past two.
  • Upcoming games include two against the Raiders, plus matchups with the Dolphins, Jets and Chargers.
What's Next

Denver needs to show its recent offensive progress can last and reduce its reliance on fourth-quarter comebacks. A trade for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is floated as one possible way to strengthen the run game, but no deal is established.

Bottom Line

The Broncos have earned their 7-2 record, but their narrow wins and poor yardage profile make them a risky bet to keep rolling. To look like a true Super Bowl contender, they’ll need to turn late-game escapes into more complete performances.