When the season started, no one had the Denver Broncos as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. A playoff team at best, it’s looking more likely the Broncos obtain their first playoff win since their Super Bowl-winning 2015 season. One NFL insider is all in on the Broncos, expecting them to make a playoff run.
Is Albert Breer’s Take on the Broncos Good or Bad?
When asked which surprise team in the AFC can make the Super Bowl, NFL insider Albert Breer said, “I’m gonna give you the Denver Broncos because I look at how battle-tested they are already. And what they’ve gone through to get to where they’re at. And I look at the way they were able to come back from nine in Philadelphia on that 10-day trip.”
“And on the other end of that trip, they end up going and playing a New York Jets team (that) they did not play very well against. But they’re able to scratch out that win. And they come back from way behind against the Giants. This is a team that’s already got some pelts on the wall.”
Breer continued, pointing out how the Broncos could be undefeated. That said, he acknowledged the Pat Surtain II injury but said the Broncos have the depth to overcome the injury. Breer shouted out young cornerbacks Riley Moss and Jahdae Barron as well.
Lifting the hood on the car, the Surtain II injury isn’t the end of the world. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph can mitigate this by switching up the defense’s philosophy for as long as Surtain II is out. Projected to be out multiple weeks, let’s look at the Broncos’ schedule for the next three games before a Week 12 bye. The Broncos play the Houston Texans this week, the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10, and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11.
The #Broncos are not planning to place reigning DPOY Pat Surtain II on Injured Reserve, source said, and it’s possible that he only misses 3 games with his pec strain.
Denver plays the #Texans, #Raiders, #Chiefs, then has a Week 12 bye. Surtain could return vs the #Commanders. pic.twitter.com/OEkVmEtRLz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2025
If Nico Collins is back this week, the Broncos can mitigate the loss of Surtain II with zone coverage. The Texans’ offensive line is so bad that the Broncos’ pass rushers can get home rushing four. Then, against the Geno Smith-led Raiders next week, Joseph can do the same thing. Smith is tied for first in interceptions. Make him beat you.
Then, against the Chiefs, it’s going to be hard to beat Patrick Mahomes. So, Surtain II missing this game might not be that bad. The Broncos conduct a litmus test against the Chiefs, then bring Surtain back for their second matchup. The Broncos are No. 9 in PFSN’s Offense Impact Score, while ranking No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score.
