Broncos' Worst-to-First Odds in 2023 Revealed by NFL.com

The AFC has become the toughest conference in the NFL. Each AFC division is stacked, which means the champions of each are likely to change.

The Denver Broncos will face Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs — the reigning kings of the AFC West — who have staved off their division rivals since 2016. As dominant as the Chiefs have been, a power shift might not be out of the question for the 2023 season.

In the NFL, parity reigns supreme. When it comes to how things shook out in 2022, NFL.com's Adam Schein ranked the Broncos as the fifth most-likely last-place team to go from worst to first in 2023. Here’s what Schein had to say about Denvers’ potential to dethrone the Chiefs.

“Sean Payton’s arrival immediately elevates Denver’s chances to compete. There is a lot to like on this roster. Justin Simmons, Patrick Surtain II, Zach Allen, and Randy Gregory highlight a formidable defense under Vance Joseph. Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick bring plenty of upside at receiver -- if they stay healthy. The Broncos signed Samaje Perine to pair with Javonte Williams, who could be ready at the start of training camp after last year’s season-ending knee injury. The biggest question is whether Payton’s magic will coax Russell Wilson back to his Pro Bowl ways after a disastrous 2022 campaign. But the biggest knock on Denver’s chances of going from worst to first is playing in the AFC West, where they’d have to knock off Patrick Mahomes and the back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back division-winning Chiefs.”

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Without question, Payton makes this Denver squad that’s been drowning in the sea of mediocrity a genuine threat to win the AFC West crown. His experience as a play caller is what Dove Valley has been starved of since Gary Kubiak left the building.

No disrespect to Kubiak, but Payton is on another level as an offensive guru. Payton's ability to maximize his quarterback's talent is uncanny.

The Saints went 5-0 with Teddy Bridgewater in 2019, a guy Broncos Country is very familiar with. Payton also took Drew Brees, a quarterback cast aside by the league in 2006, and made him into a Hall-of-Fame field general.

If anyone can revitalize Wilson, it’s Payton. Wilson showed up to Broncos OTAs “lean and mean,” looking like he was in the best shape of his life. The Payton Effect is already working its magic.

Denver's young core of skill players is what will help the team bounce off the bottom of the West and straight to the top. Assuming everyone is healthy, Jeudy, Sutton, Patrick, and rookie Marvin Mims Jr. make up a versatile receiving corps. Jeudy, in particular, found his footing as the No. 1 wideout in the second half of 2022 and is primed to break out finally.

As for the running game, adding Perine to pound the rock alongside Williams was an elite move. Williams will likely be brought along slowly, due to his significant knee injury.

Still, Williams is already working out at OTAs, making cuts, and participating in drills, albeit not at full speed. Both backs have a knack for bulldozing through defenses and carrying would-be tacklers with them. These two will take significant pressure off Wilson while he regains his confidence.

The Broncos' defense, comprised of studs like Simmons, Surtain, Allen, and Gregory, will have to uphold the standard that the units of years prior have set. Allen and Simmons have already praised new Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Joseph has worked with both men in years past, and his player-friendly attitude will go a long way for a defense that has had to carry the load since 2015. They will no doubt have great weeks of practice from here on out (too soon?).

Payton has the pedigree to compete with Reid for bragging rights in the AFC West. The days of Broncos coaches being outwitted by the big red man are over. It’s time the AFC West crown to return back to the Rockies, where it belongs.

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!