The Denver Broncos are ranked No. 23 in Nate Davis’ pre-Week 1 NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s up a few spots from the team’s No. 27 ranking earlier this offseason.
“Watch out for second-year OLB Bradley Chubb, who might ascend to superstar status in new coach Vic Fangio’s defense,” Davis wrote alongside Denver’s ranking.
Chubb totaled 60 tackles and 12 sacks as a rookie last season, earning Pro Bowl alternate honors. Fangio is a defensive mastermind and a linebacker guru, which could mean Chubb is poised to have a breakout year.
The Broncos are ranked third in the AFC West, behind the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 2) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 6), just a few spots above the last-place Oakland Raiders (No. 25).
Denver will face Oakland in Week 1 of the season on “Monday Night Football.” The Broncos are considered 2.5-point underdogs for that nationally televised game on ESPN.
The New England Patriots are ranked No. 1 and the Miami Dolphins are ranked No. 32. View the complete rankings here.
