Let’s be real for a second. If you told a Broncos fan back in August that by mid-January, we’d be sitting here talking about a #1 seed and a first-round bye, they’d have asked what you were drinking. And yet, here we are. Sean Payton has basically willed this team into a 14-3 juggernaut. But while the regular season is dead and buried, the "second season" is just starting.
When people search for the denver broncos remaining schedule, they’re usually looking for a list of dates. But in 2026, the schedule isn't just a list; it’s a gauntlet. The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through Mile High, and honestly, that’s exactly where this defense wants to be.
The Road to the Lombardi: The Immediate Postseason Slate
Because Denver locked up the top spot in the AFC, they earned the right to sit on the couch last week. It was a well-deserved break. Now, the rest of the denver broncos remaining schedule is strictly win-or-go-home territory. No more "moral victories" or close losses that "build character."
The AFC Divisional Round
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Buffalo Bills (12-5) come to town. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM EST (2:30 PM local) on CBS. This isn't just some random matchup. It’s a revenge game. Remember last year? The Bills absolutely embarrassed Denver 31-7 in the Wild Card round.
But this 2025-26 Broncos squad is different. They’ve won 11 games decided by one score. They know how to grind. If they beat Josh Allen, the AFC Championship Game will also be played in Denver on January 25 against either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots.
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Why Home Field Actually Matters This Time
Playing at 5,280 feet in January isn't just a cliché; it’s a physiological nightmare for visiting teams. The Bills are used to the cold, sure. They aren't always used to the thin air when a game enters the fourth quarter and the lungs start burning.
What the Roster Looks Like Right Now
You can't talk about the denver broncos remaining schedule without talking about who is actually healthy enough to play it. The bye week was a godsend.
Dre Greenlaw has been dealing with a nagging hamstring since the Jacksonville game in Week 16. He’s been practicing. He was a full participant by Wednesday, which is massive. The Broncos need his sideline-to-sideline speed to contain a guy like Josh Allen.
John Franklin-Myers is also back after missing the regular-season finale against the Chargers with a hip issue. Having the full defensive front healthy is the only way Sean Payton's "one-score game" magic keeps working.
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The rookie wideout Pat Bryant also looks ready to go. That scary concussion he suffered against the Jaguars seems to be behind him. He’s a key deep threat that keeps defenses from just stacking the box against J.K. Dobbins.
The Bo Nix Factor: Can a Second-Year QB Finish the Job?
Bo Nix has been a revelation. 3,931 passing yards and 25 touchdowns? In his second year? That’s franchise-altering stuff.
What most people miss when looking at the denver broncos remaining schedule is how Nix has matured in high-pressure situations. He’s not just "managing" games anymore. He’s winning them. He set a franchise record for wins by a quarterback in a single season (14).
But the playoffs are a different beast.
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Last year, the lights seemed a bit too bright in Buffalo. This year, he’s at home. He’s got Courtland Sutton, who finally cracked the 1,000-yard mark again. The connection between those two is basically the heartbeat of the offense right now.
Surprising Truths About the 2026 Path
Everyone assumes the Chiefs are the boogeyman, but they finished 6-11 this year. The real threat in the AFC right now is New England. If the Broncos handle Buffalo, there’s a very high chance they face a red-hot Patriots team in the AFC Title game.
The Broncos' 2025 success was built on a "one-score game" philosophy. They won 11 of them. That is statistically insane. Some call it luck; Sean Payton calls it preparation.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’re planning on following the denver broncos remaining schedule through the end of the month, here’s what you need to do:
- Clear your Saturday: The January 17th game against Buffalo is the hurdle. If they stumble there, the season is over.
- Monitor the Inactives: Watch the 90-minute pre-game report for Dre Greenlaw’s status. If he’s a surprise scratch, the defensive game plan for Josh Allen changes entirely.
- Check the 2026 Opponents: Believe it or not, the 2026 regular-season opponents are already set. Because Denver won the West, they'll be facing Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Carolina next year in the "first-place" crossover games.
The mission is simple: three more wins. One on Saturday, one the following Sunday, and the big one on February 8 in Santa Clara. For the first time in a decade, that goal actually feels realistic.