NFL Power Rankings: Where do Broncos fit in after nearly upsetting Chiefs? | Sporting News

Travis Wakeman

The Denver Broncos came within an eyelash of handing the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the 2024 season, but a blocked field goal on the game's final play prevented that from happening.

The Broncos fell to 5-5 on the season but those watching, including Chiefs fans, would have to admit that it should have been a Denver win as the Broncos outplayed them from the opening kick. What does that do to the Broncos in this week's power rankings?

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News got out his latest rankings and knocked the Broncos down, but only one slot. They come in at No. 15 this week, still in the league's top half. Here is how Iyer assessed the Broncos this week:

"The Broncos have offensive limitations, so they need more around Bo Nix when the special teams or defense let down for Sean Payton. They are fortunate they can win most battles of attrition through a mostly weak schedule."

That is a fair spot and it also seems accurate as Eric Edholm, who does power rankings at NFL.com, also has the Broncos at No. 15 on his most recent list.

The Broncos will soon have a chance to make a big impression as they host the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in Week 11. After that, their next three opponents are the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts.

The Broncos got up for the Chiefs game and nearly pulled it off, but if they remain focused and win three of their next four games or even find a way to pull out victories in each, they can solidify themselves as a playoff team this season.

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Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.