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The Broncos warrant discussion when looking at the 2026 schedule, not necessarily because they rank high in net rest, but because the other three teams in the AFC West have such a terrible rest schedule overall.
Denver ranks #7 this year in my prep and rest analysis.
Their +3 net rest ranks #12.
But they do play five games with more rest than their opponent, tied for #1 most in the NFL.
This is partially offset by four games with less rest than their opponent (#8 most).
They play four teams with less than a week to prepare for them, as well.
The Broncos' schedule is a tale of two seasons.
Week 1 through Week 6, it is the #1 toughest schedule in the NFL based on opponents played, and rest isn’t really an issue.
Denver plays six straight games against teams expected to make the playoffs this year: the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers, and Seahawks.
To play all three NFC West opponents during the first six weeks of the season is insane.
However, from Week 7 on, it’s the #1 easiest schedule in the NFL based on opponents played.
In those 11 games, the Broncos play six teams expected to win seven or fewer games.
They play just four difficult teams, and three of them are at home in Denver (Chiefs, Bills, and Chargers).
The real story, however, is the schedule the rest of the AFC West plays from a rest perspective.
The Chargers rank #32 in my prep and rest metric, with a net rest of -24 (#32).
The Chiefs rank #28 in my prep and rest metric, with a net rest of -2 (#18).
The Raiders rank #23 in my prep and rest metric, with a net rest of -13 (#30).
