NFL insider predicts dark-horse team could emerge as AFC champions

We're entering the final week of the NFL preseason, meaning the regular season is just around the corner.

With that in mind, predictions from NFL media members are starting to come out, including which team is the one to beat in the AFC.

NFL Network's Steve Wyche joined Jim Rome on the "Jim Rome Show" on Tuesday and thinks that the Denver Broncos are the team to beat in the AFC this year.

"He's got so much room to grow ( Bo Nix ); he's got so much ability, and now with Davis Webb . who has been his position coach the last couple of years, now designing and calling plays as the OC under Sean Payton, I think it's going to continue to grow. And the fact that he's got Jaylen Waddle at his disposal to go with Courtland Sutton , to go with Evan Engram , and to go with a good offensive line, Denver's the team to beat in the AFC," Wyche said . "We can talk about everybody else; this is the team to beat, and they should've represented the AFC last year had Bo Nix not gotten hurt."

The Broncos got all the way to the AFC Championship Game last year before losing at home to the New England Patriots . Nix broke his right ankle against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round and wasn't able to play against the Patriots.

He's now fully healthy heading into the 2026 season and will try to take the Broncos even further.

The Broncos will open the 2026 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 14. Kickoff will be at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.