Broncos 2024 NFL power rankings tracker: How national experts rank Denver entering Week 13

The Broncos are getting recognized on a national scale.

After beginning the season in the high 20s and into the 30s across most power rankings, Denver is finally getting some love. The team has gone 7-3 in its last 10 games behind a stellar defense and an impressive start by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Could they help lift the Broncos to their first postseason appearance since the Peyton Manning era?

Here’s a look at how various national experts rated the Broncos in their power rankings entering Week 13:

The Athletic (No. 10) | Last week: No. 11

“The Broncos have beaten only one team that currently has a winning record (the Falcons in Week 11), but they’ve done enough to earn the seventh playoff spot in the AFC for now. In the last three weeks, rookie quarterback Bo Nix is second in passer rating (118.6), third in EPA per dropback (.32) and has thrown eight touchdowns versus no interceptions. In that same time frame, Courtland Sutton is fourth in catches (21) and fifth in receiving yards (245),” Josh Kendall writes. See the full rankings.

Bleacher Report (No. 11) | Last week: No. 14

“Bo Nix is moving up the ladder of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates. He’s put together three consecutive quality performances, throwing for eight touchdowns without an interception in that stretch. Last Sunday, Nix only completed 59.5 percent of his passes, but he threw for 273 yards and made no critical mistakes that hurt his team. Nix isn’t a dazzling downfield passer, and his quarterback runs aren’t eye-catching like Jayden Daniels’ rush attempts, but he’s one of the NFL’s top offensive rookies heading into Week 13,” Maurice Moton writes. See the full rankings.

CBS Sports (No. 10) | Last week: No. 12

“The schedule is favorable and they have a great defense, a great coach and a rookie quarterback who is growing every week. The playoffs are real,” Pete Prisco writes. See the full rankings.

ESPN (No. 10) | Last week: No. 14

“The Broncos are a quirky bunch on offense, as rookie quarterback Bo Nix has pushed himself squarely into the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation and wide receiver Courtland Sutton is on track for his best season since 2018. They have surges on offense but not much consistency — they have had the sixth-most drives with no first downs, and they’re 24th in yards per pass play (6.4). It means they have leaned hard on a defense that continuously fends off difficult field positions. In order to make the playoffs, the offense has to find a gear that’s slightly better than the one it’s in right now,” Jeff Legwold writes. See the full rankings.

NFL.com (No. 10) | Last week: No. 13

“The Broncos trailed the Raiders 13-9 at halftime, but then the defense and Bo Nix wrested control of the game back in their favor in the second half. Brandon Jones’ third-quarter interception helped Denver take the lead, and Nik Bonitto’s strip-sack with just over two minutes left finished off Las Vegas. Nix and the offense finally logged two second-half TDs after settling for three first-half field goals. The Nix-Courtland Sutton connection has really developed nicely, helping the Broncos solidify their playoff standing. Ever since Sutton turned in the first zero-target game of his career back in Week 7, he’s been hot — and a huge factor behind Nix’s development. Sutton has 36 catches for 467 yards and three TDs (as well as a TD pass to Nix) in the five games since. That said, are the Broncos legitimate contenders? Even with Nix’s steady play and a good defense, it feels like this team is a few pieces short of seriously challenging the AFC’s heavyweights,” Eric Edholm writes. See the full rankings.

Pro Football Focus (No. 10) | Last week: No. 11

“Bo Nix’s Offensive Rookie of the Year portfolio is growing by the day. The Broncos quarterback has thrown 11 touchdowns against one interception in the last five weeks, earning an 84.4 overall grade in that span — the ninth-highest among quarterbacks. The big picture is the Broncos are 7-5 after defeating the Raiders and have a 68% chance of making the playoffs,” Thomas Valentine writes. See the full rankings.

Pro Football Talk (No. 9) | Last week: No. 14

“Bo Nix is gradually looking like the best of the 2024 bunch,” Mike Florio writes. See the full rankings.

The Sporting News (No. 10) | Last week: No. 13

“The Broncos are feeling it with Bo Nix and getting it done with a committee of offensive playmakers around him. Their reliable pass defense offers great support, especially at home,” Vinnie Iyer writes. See the full rankings.

Sports Illustrated (No. 10) | Last week: No. 17

“We’re not talking nearly enough about how good this offensive line has become. Maxx Crosby was a relative non-factor against the quarterback, who was sacked just once. Crosby got one hit, but I didn’t see a ton of obsessiveness in doubling him, either. Mike McGlinchey fared well, as did some of the jumbo tackles. The one time I saw him chipped was a smart design out of the back of Denver’s end zone with a creative usage of a back (a few plays later, Denver went no huddle and cooked a Raiders defense selling out against the run),” Conor Orr writes. See the full rankings.

USA Today (No. 14) | Last week: No. 13

“With apologies to John Elway, but not Tim Tebow, Bo Nix is the greatest rookie quarterback in this franchise’s history. Nix’s seven wins and 16 TD passes are both team records for a freshman passer,” Nate Davis writes. See the full rankings.

Yahoo! Sports (No. 11) | Last week: No. 14

“Patrick Surtain II should get Defensive Player of the Year consideration. He has played 413 coverage snaps across 11 games, according to Pro Football Focus, and allowed only 177 yards and just 7.7 yards per reception while going against some of the best receivers in the NFL. Why shouldn’t he win DPOY?” Frank Schwab writes. See the full rankings.

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