The regular season just wrapped up, and if you're asking what is the score of Denver Broncos latest game, the answer is a definitive 19-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. That Week 18 win wasn't just another notch on the belt. It was the game that officially locked in the AFC's No. 1 seed for Denver, giving them home-field advantage and a much-needed first-round bye. Honestly, seeing a score like that—holding an NFL opponent to a measly three points—tells you exactly what kind of season Sean Payton has cooked up in the Mile High City.
This year has been different. You've probably felt it if you’ve watched even ten minutes of a game lately. The 2025-2026 campaign saw the Broncos tie their franchise record with 14 wins. They finished 14-3. Think about that for a second. That's the same win total as the legendary 1998 Super Bowl team.
Breaking Down the Week 18 Score: Broncos 19, Chargers 3
The final score of the regular season finale was a masterclass in "bend but don't break" defense, though mostly it was just "don't break." Denver didn't even need an offensive touchdown to put this one away.
Ja'Quan McMillian set the tone early. He jumped a route on a Trey Lance pass and took it 45 yards back to the house. 10-0, just like that. While the offense hummed along enough to get Wil Lutz into field goal range four separate times, the defense was the real story. They sacked Lance four times and basically lived in the Chargers' backfield. Holding a professional football team to three points in a game with playoff seeding on the line is almost unheard of in the modern NFL.
If you look at the box score, Bo Nix was efficient. He didn't blow the roof off the stadium—14 of 23 for 141 yards—but he didn't turn the ball over. In a game where the defense is playing like possessed men, that’s all you really need from your rookie quarterback.
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The Road to 14-3: Key Scores This Season
To understand how we got to this No. 1 seed, you have to look at the scores that defined the middle of the season. It wasn't always pretty.
- Week 7 vs. Giants (33-32): This was probably the heart-attack game of the year. Denver scored 33 points in the fourth quarter to pull off a wild comeback.
- Week 8 vs. Cowboys (44-24): This was the statement. Putting up 44 on Dallas showed the league that the Broncos' offense could actually explode when it wanted to.
- Week 13 at Commanders (27-26): An overtime thriller. RJ Harvey plunged into the end zone for a 5-yard rush to seal it.
- Week 17 at Chiefs (20-13): Beating Kansas City at Arrowhead on Christmas Day? That’s the stuff of legends. It snapped whatever psychological hold the Chiefs still had on the division.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the One-Score Wins
There's a weird stat floating around Denver right now. Basically, the Broncos became the masters of the "one-score game." In 2024, they couldn't win a close game to save their lives. This year? They won 11 games decided by eight points or fewer.
Some people call it luck. Analytics nerds might say they’re due for a regression. But if you ask anyone in that locker room, they’ll tell you it’s about Vance Joseph’s defense and Bo Nix’s composure. When the game is on the line, this team doesn't blink. They’ve beaten the Eagles, the Texans, and the Packers in games that went down to the final drive.
What Is the Score of Denver Broncos Next Game?
The regular season is in the rearview mirror, but the real work starts now. Because they secured that No. 1 seed, the Broncos spent the Wild Card round watching from their couches.
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The next game is the AFC Divisional Round.
- Opponent: Buffalo Bills (No. 6 seed)
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 4:30 PM EST
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High
The Bills are coming in hot after an impressive showing in the opening round. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, but he's going to have to deal with the thin air and a Denver secondary led by Pat Surtain II. The "score" for this game hasn't happened yet, but the oddsmakers have Denver as a slight favorite because of that home-field advantage.
Season Stats at a Glance
It’s easy to get lost in the weekly scores, but the cumulative numbers tell a story of a top-tier defense.
- Points Against: 18.3 per game (3rd in the NFL).
- Turnover Ratio: They actually finished -3, which is bizarre for a 14-win team. It means they’ve been winning despite giving the ball away more than they’d like.
- Rushing Leader: J.K. Dobbins (772 yards) and RJ Harvey (540 yards, 7 TDs) have formed a brutal 1-2 punch.
Actionable Insights for the Playoffs
If you’re following the Broncos into the postseason, keep an eye on the injury report for the offensive line. Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz both made the All-Pro first team, and their health is the only thing standing between Bo Nix and a very aggressive Buffalo pass rush.
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Also, watch the weather. A cold, windy January day in Denver favors the team that can run the ball and kick field goals. With Wil Lutz being nearly automatic lately (going 4-for-4 in the finale), Denver has a massive edge if the game turns into a tactical, low-scoring affair.
To stay on top of the live scores once the Divisional Round kicks off, you’ll want to have the NFL app or a reliable sports tracker ready. The Broncos haven't been this deep in the hunt since 2015, and the energy in Colorado is absolutely electric.
Your next move: Set a calendar reminder for Saturday at 4:30 PM EST. If the Broncos win this, they’ll host the AFC Championship game right back at Empower Field against either the Patriots or the Texans. Check the local weather forecasts for Denver on Friday evening to see if we're looking at a "Snow Bowl" scenario, which usually gives the Broncos a significant statistical edge at home.