DENVER (AP) — DENVER BRONCOS (10-8)

Expectations

Coach Sean Payton set the bar high, suggesting all summer that this roster has championship potential and declaring that second-year starter Bo Nix is among the top quarterbacks in the NFL. The Broncos ended an eight-year playoff drought last season and hung with the Buffalo Bills until about the final 20 minutes in the wild-card round. Payton and general manager George Paton fortified an already stout defense led by NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II by adding free agents Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers and drafting former Texas standout defensive back Jahdae Barron in the first round. The front office also took care of Nix, signing tight end Evan Engram and running back J.K. Dobbins in free ag

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