Broncos Called ‘Legitimate AFC Contender’ After Blowout Win Over Cowboys
Before the season, the conversation around the Denver Broncos was all about making the leap to become contenders after snapping a 9-year playoff drought in 2024.
Much of that buzz went away after a rocky start to the season, including consecutive, last-second losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers that dropped them to 1-2.
Now, sitting at 6-2 after 5 consecutive wins following a 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, the Broncos have become impossible to ignore.
From Bleacher Report: “Denver is starting to look like a legitimate AFC contender … While any offensive performance against Dallas should be taken with a grain of salt, the Broncos are starting to figure out who their playmakers on offense are. That, combined with a top-five defense, is enough to think that Denver will be a factor in the AFC the rest of the way.”
Defense Could Set NFL Single Season Sack Record
The Broncos have a chance to break the NFL’s team single season sacks record set by the Chicago Bears in 1984 with 72.0 sacks.
The Broncos have 36.0 sacks through 8 games, which would put them on track for 76.5 sacks on a 17-game schedule — one more game than the Bears had to set the record in playing on the 16-game schedule in 1984.
To that end, the real team that should be considered the record holder might be the 1967 Oakland Raiders, who had 67.0 sacks in just 14 regular season games.
Seven players on the Broncos currently have at least 2 sacks, led by outside linebacker and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Nik Bonitto with 8.0 sacks.
Offense Coming to Life With Young Talent
While the defense being great was kind of a given because they led the NFL with 63.0 sacks in 2024 and returned cornerback and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, the real wild card in 2025 has been the team’s offense, which has struggled with consistency.
All of that has seemed to change over the last 2 weeks.
In Week 7, the Broncos engineered one of the greatest regular season comebacks in NFL history in a 33-32 win over the New York Giants. The Broncos trailed 19-0 headed into the third quarter and 28-6 with 6 minutes left.
In their 33-point fourth quarter, quarterback Bo Nix became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 2 touchdowns and throw for 2 touchdowns in a single quarter.
“NFL teams had won an incredible
Probably the most important part of the Broncos offense that wasn’t there last year but exists this year is a rushing attack. One year after having no reliable running backs, the Broncos now find themselves with 2 in veteran free agent J.K. Dobbins and rookie second round pick RJ Harvey.
Against the Cowboys, Dobbins rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries while Harvey had 46 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 carries. Through 8 games, Dobbins leads the Broncos with 634 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
In 2024, current Dallas Cowboys leading rusher Javonte Williams led the Broncos with 513 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in 17 games.
Long tenures for head coaches in the new millennium have been rare. Cooper is one of the last of a dying breed. He’s been in charge of the Lightning ever since taking over late in the 2012-13 season. Cooper has won two Cups and should surpass 1,000 games and 600 wins with the franchise
In the fast-paced, results-driven world of professional sports, longevity is a luxury few head coaches enjoy—especially in the NHL. The new millennium has seen a revolving door of coaching changes, with franchises often opting for quick fixes over long-term vision. Amid this climate of instability, Jon Cooper stands out as a remarkable exception. Since taking over the Tampa Bay Lightning late in the 2012–13 season, Cooper has not only endured but thrived, becoming one of the most successful and longest-tenured coaches in modern hockey.
Cooper’s tenure with the Lightning is a testament to consistency, adaptability, and leadership. In an era where even playoff-caliber coaches are dismissed after a single disappointing season, Cooper has weathered the highs and lows of over a decade behind the bench. His ability to evolve with the game, manage egos, and maintain a winning culture has made him a cornerstone of the Lightning franchise. Under his guidance, Tampa Bay has become a perennial contender, known for its dynamic offense, disciplined structure, and playoff resilience.
The accolades speak for themselves. Cooper has led the Lightning to two Stanley Cup championships, in 2020 and 2021, cementing his legacy as one of the elite coaches of his generation. These victories were not flukes—they were the culmination of years of strategic team-building, player development, and tactical excellence. Cooper’s teams have consistently ranked among the league’s best in both regular season and postseason performance, a rarity in a league defined by parity and unpredictability.
Beyond the trophies, Cooper’s longevity is reflected in the milestones he is poised to reach. He is on track to surpass 1,000 games coached and 600 wins with the Lightning—figures that place him in rarefied air. These numbers are not just statistical achievements; they symbolize the trust and stability he has fostered within the organization. Few coaches in any sport are granted the time and autonomy to build a legacy. Cooper has earned both.
What makes Cooper’s sustained success even more impressive is the context in which it has occurred. The NHL has undergone significant changes over the past decade, from rule adjustments to shifts in playing style and roster construction. Cooper has navigated these changes with poise, continually adapting his strategies to suit the evolving landscape. Whether managing a roster full of veterans or integrating young talent, he has maintained a clear identity and purpose for his team.
In a league where coaching turnover is the norm, Jon Cooper represents a dying breed: the long-tenured, franchise-defining head coach. His journey with the Lightning is a blueprint for what can be achieved when a team commits to a vision and a leader. As he approaches historic milestones, Cooper’s legacy is already secure—not just as a winner, but as a symbol of what enduring leadership can accomplish in the modern NHL.
