**Is This the Year the Denver Broncos Finally Snatch the AFC West Crown?**
The AFC West has long been one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, a battleground where perennial contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers have jockeyed for supremacy. But in recent years, one team has been conspicuously absent from the top of the standings: the Denver Broncos. After nearly a decade of struggles, the 2024 season presents what may be Denver’s best opportunity in years to reclaim the division title. With an overhauled roster, a promising young quarterback, and a coaching staff determined to restore the franchise’s winning tradition, the Broncos are poised to make a serious run at the AFC West crown. But will it actually happen?
For years, the Broncos’ path to the division title has been blocked by the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL’s modern dynasty led by Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. However, cracks in Kansas City’s armor have begun to show. The Chiefs’ receiving corps, once a strength, has been inconsistent since the departure of Tyreek Hill. While Travis Kelce remains a dominant force, he is now 34 years old, and the team has struggled to find a reliable No. 1 wideout. Defensively, Kansas City remains elite, but the offense no longer feels unstoppable.
Additionally, the Chiefs have shown signs of vulnerability in the regular season. Last year, they lost five games—their most since 2017—and needed late-season heroics to secure the AFC West. If Denver can capitalize on Kansas City’s occasional offensive slumps, the door may finally be open for a new division champion.The biggest reason for optimism in Denver is the emergence of quarterback **Bo Nix**, the team’s first-round pick in 2024. After a rocky start to his rookie season, Nix showed flashes of brilliance down the stretch, displaying the poise, accuracy, and mobility that made him a Heisman finalist at Oregon. With a full offseason to refine his chemistry with receivers **Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and rookie Troy Franklin**, Nix could take a major leap in Year 2.
The Broncos also invested heavily in their offensive line, signing **guard Jonah Jackson** in free agency and drafting **tackle Tyler Guyton** in the first round. If the unit can stay healthy—a big “if” given Denver’s recent injury woes—it should provide Nix with the protection he needs to thrive.
Perhaps the most underrated factor in Denver’s offensive resurgence is the presence of head coach **Sean Payton**, one of the NFL’s sharpest offensive minds. After a shaky first season, Payton has retooled the scheme to better fit Nix’s strengths, emphasizing quick throws, play-action, and designed quarterback runs. If the offense clicks, the Broncos could field a top-15 unit—something they haven’t had since Peyton Manning retired.
While much of the focus has been on Denver’s offense, the defense could be the real difference-maker. Under defensive coordinator **Vance Joseph**, the Broncos have quietly assembled one of the most athletic secondaries in football, featuring **cornerback Pat Surtain II** (a perennial All-Pro candidate) and rising star **safety Caden Sterns**. The pass rush, led by **Baron Browning** and **Jonathon Cooper**, may not be elite, but it’s deep and versatile.
The key to Denver’s defensive success will be stopping the run—a major weakness in 2023. The Broncos addressed this by signing **defensive tackle Malcolm Roach** and drafting **lineman Brandon Dorlus**, two physical interior defenders who should help shore up the front. If the defense can improve from middle-of-the-pack to top-10, it could be enough to swing close games in Denver’s favor.
Beyond Kansas City, the Broncos must also contend with the Chargers and Raiders. Los Angeles, now led by Jim Harbaugh, will be a tough out thanks to a revamped offensive line and Justin Herbert’s elite arm talent. However, the Chargers are still rebuilding their defense and may need time to gel under a new coaching staff.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, remains a wild card. The Raiders have a strong defense and a solid running game, but their quarterback situation—whether it’s Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell—leaves much to be desired. If Denver can split with both L.A. and Vegas while stealing a game from Kansas City, the division could be within reach.
So, will this finally be the year the Broncos win the AFC West? The answer is **maybe**. Denver has the pieces to compete, but so much depends on **Bo Nix’s development** and the defense’s ability to take the next step. The Chiefs are still the favorites until proven otherwise, but for the first time in years, the Broncos look like legitimate threats.
If everything breaks right—if Nix makes a second-year jump, if the offensive line stays healthy, if the defense tightens up against the run—Denver could absolutely dethrone Kansas City. But if the Chiefs’ dynasty proves more resilient than expected, or if the Chargers surge under Harbaugh, the Broncos may have to settle for a wild-card push instead.
One thing is certain: The AFC West race will be must-watch football in 2024. And for the first time in a long time, the Broncos will be right in the thick of it.
