Denver Broncos 2026 Schedule: Rest Edge & Betting Angles

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Subscribe to the Sharp Football Email Newsletter to receive all our 2026 NFL content: Subscribe to our newsletter: Leave this field empty if you're human: 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). [[["Read More About the 2026 NFL Schedule"],[" 2026 NFL Schedule Rest Disparity: Teams Helped & Hurt "],[" 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule for All 32 Teams "],[" 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule Interactive Tool "],[" 2026 NFL Schedule Grid: Every Game for Every Team "],[" 2026 NFL Schedule Release: Key Things to Know "],[" 2026 NFL Bye Weeks: Fantasy Football Impact & Cheat Sheet "],[" 2026 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule "]],[{"row":0,"col":0,"visualRow":0,"visualCol":0,"prop":0},{"row":1,"col":0,"visualRow":1,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":2,"col":0,"visualRow":2,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":3,"col":0,"visualRow":3,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":4,"col":0,"visualRow":4,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":5,"col":0,"visualRow":5,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":6,"col":0,"visualRow":6,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}},{"row":7,"col":0,"visualRow":7,"visualCol":0,"prop":0,"jtcellstyle":{"font-weight":"bold"}}],[],[]] [] Read More About the 2026 NFL Schedule 2026 NFL Schedule Rest Disparity: Teams Helped & Hurt 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule for All 32 Teams 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule Interactive Tool 2026 NFL Schedule Grid: Every Game for Every Team 2026 NFL Schedule Release: Key Things to Know 2026 NFL Bye Weeks: Fantasy Football Impact & Cheat Sheet 2026 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule