In under two weeks, the Broncos start their 2026 season with an early-season trip to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (not the Missouri side).  New beginnings mean new challenges. New challenges mean new predictions on how the upcoming season can shake out. In no particular order, here are three predictions, ranging from the likely to wishful thinking. Sit down, grab some drinks, and read on for what might be on the menu this season. **Each Denver running back will have at least one 100-yard game.** The Denver rushing attack was cruising right along until J.K. Dobbins suffered his season-ending foot injury in the game versus Las Vegas. That lack of a consistent rushing attack meant the offensive production fell to Nix and the passing game. Once the Broncos lost Dobbins and Nix, mounting any kind of serious offensive threat in the dismal conditions in a snowy Mile High stadium for the title game was a steep mountain to climb. Surprisingly, a re-signed Dobbins pinky promised over the summer that his sketchy health issue won't be an issue this year. The Broncos also invested a 4th-round pick in Washington running back Jonah Coleman, who has looked the part of a three-down, bell cow running back in limited work during the preseason. Don’t forget 2025 2nd-round pick, Harvey, who is a tougher runner than his size would indicate while proving last year to be the best receiving threat out of the backfield. Shake and stir those ingredients; the Broncos have a three-headed monster at running back. Potentially. **The record will be worse; the team will be better.** What the Broncos have lined up to kick off the season would give even the most die-hard of fans taking the under on the projected win total for this year. Consider, Chefs on the road, playoff teams in the Jags and Rams visit in weeks 2 and 3. A West Coast roadie with stops versus the 49ers and divisional rival Chargers in consecutive weeks. Then a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at home on a Thursday to cap off the first brutal weeks of the year. Yes, Denver was one of the most battle-tested teams last year. While that resiliency doesn’t figure to wane going into this season, that also means that Denver might not win some of those one-score games they pulled out of the fire last year. That’s not a Debbie Downer analysis, but the Broncos aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year after the success of 2025. The schedule, the opposition, the resolve to get back and exceed the accomplishments of last season are…a lot to say the least. So, what is the good news? The Broncos have Pro Bowlers at both receiver spots, a revamped backfield, a veteran offensive line that was among the best in football last year, and returning 10 of 11 starters on a top-5 defensive unit from last season, so this team will be good. But wins and losses are so much closer when the opposition is better, and this year's schedule will be more difficult, on paper at least. It is entirely plausible that the Broncos finish 11-6 or 12-5, but playing better ball at the end of the year versus the onset?  Absolutely. **Bo Nix will be in the MVP conversation.** Before anyone stops reading and starts throwing around nasty words, just consider some things, and then you can say whatever you want. Even in a season that didn’t see Nix take the giant step many thought he might, he was still pretty damn good. His passing yardage would’ve ranked him in the top 10 in the NFL. Ditto for his 25 touchdown tosses. He cut down his interception and sack counts. The team won more games due to some late-game magic from Nix, with seven game-winning drives and 5 fourth quarter comebacks, including that game versus the New York Giants at home. Pretty good for a "check-down merchant". Nix’s accomplishments in his sophomore season put him just outside the top 10 QB discussion for most prognosticators. However, the addition of Jaylen Waddle at wideout and Davis Webb taking over the call sheet could potentially uncover more of Nix’s potential. The former Duck may not have the love of the national media, but Nix has the kind of ceiling to be in the MVP race this year. What other bold predictions do you have for the Broncos this year? Let's talk pigskin in the comments and check out all the updated features at BroncosandBourbon.com for all your Broncos needs.