The NFL is back on Thursday night, and Sky Sports presenter Jason Bell believes the Denver Broncos are ready to surprise the league and especially the Kansas City Chiefs
Jason Bell is convinced the Denver Broncos can dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs from their AFC West crown this season. The Chiefs have reigned supreme in the division – and across the NFL – for quite some time, claiming nine consecutive championships and three Super Bowls over the past five years.
Standout performers like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have broken records through their combined efforts. But Bell, who claimed a Super Bowl ring with the NFC East side in 2008, reckons the Chiefs will face an unexpected challenger this campaign.
The former New York Giants star spoke to the Mirror US regarding his predictions for the upcoming season. Bell has backed the Broncos, highlighting head coach Sean Payton’s tactical brilliance and second-year quarterback Bo Nix as the crucial components for Denver’s future success.
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When questioned about his pick for the NFL’s ‘dark horse’ for 2025, the Sky Sports pundit said: «It is hard, but, you know, it’s always an interesting conversation. You have to go there, especially as an analyst. And when I look at it, I’m thinking, all right, what would surprise me or surprise people?
«And I think about in the AFC West, Kansas City has always dominated, and they should, but my goodness, the Denver Broncos, they could unseat them, in my opinion. That defence with Sean Payton, the head coach, obviously Bo Nix, and that offence kind of elevating this year.
«It could be quite dangerous. It wouldn’t surprise me, but it would be a surprise. We got a team that’s always a play away from being in the Super Bowl or in the Super Bowl, that is the Kansas City Chiefs. They [Chiefs] to me, still have the top quarterback in the NFL.
«So, yeah, that will be a surprise if it happened. But I wouldn’t be surprised, because I love defence.»
Bell went on to note that many NFL fans cling to the major stars throughout the league, whilst overlooking the hard work put in by every individual in the offensive and defensive units to reach the top of their game.
He added: «We lean into these big names a lot of times, everybody’s a little late when those names are not as prominent as they were, as their performance on the field. They’re still a name, but, you know, their performance or the team’s performance or unit might have dropped off.»
The 47-year-old tipped first-overall pick Cam Ward to emerge as the standout rookie across the league in 2025, stating his prospects are boosted by the Tennessee Titans snapping him up quickly.
Bell said: «My rookie of the year, I’ll throw it out there real quick. I love Cam Ward, man, Tennessee Titans, come on now. [He was] the first pick, I like his coach, [Brian] Callahan, and I think they’re going to run the ball and play action pass. I think that might work out for him.»
When pressed about his Super Bowl LX predictions, Bell highlighted several NFC contenders who could reach the championship match – but had his sights set on just one AFC side. He said: «And let’s say, Super Bowl candidates for fun. I want to see Baltimore there.
«I think that team’s ready to go, and it could be, I’ll say, I’ll give you three teams in the NFC. I mean, the Eagles, the Eagles are dominant. But my sleeper hits, it could be the [Detroit] Lions or Green Bay [Packers]. I don’t know, those three Lions stay healthy, it could be interesting, but I would love to see the Baltimore Ravens.
«But Micah Parsons [going to Green Bay]? That changes the math, changes the game completely.»
The NFL gets underway on Friday morning as defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, host the Dallas Cowboys at 1:20am UK time. The Los Angeles Chargers and the Chiefs will clash in the league’s opening international fixture of the campaign in Brazil, with kick-off scheduled for 1am UK time on Saturday morning.
A further 13 matches will commence on Sunday, September 8, before the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings wrap up the opening week of the season on Tuesday morning at 1:15am UK time.
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