The Denver Broncos are not to be “slept on” according to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche who said 2021 could see the team finally ending their five-year playoff drought.

Here’s @wyche89 making Broncos Country very happy ⬇️

“The Broncos defense has an opportunity to give a team that a lot of people are sleeping on an opportunity to at least get into the Wild Card spot.”

🎥: NFL Total Access pic.twitter.com/CoKQibqOd5

— Kendall Valenzuela (@kvalenzuela17) July 9, 2021

Wyche told NFL Total Access that the Broncos’ defense has a chance to make the team elite and that he’s excited to watch them most this season.

“They finally got some pieces that fit, when you talk about strategy, Vic Fangio’s scheme and what he wants to do,” Wyche said. “Don’t think Vic Fangio know he’s not coming into the season with a little bit of pressure under his seat to win ball games.”

The Broncos went through the wringer last season with key players sitting out due to injury.

But with the likes of Miller, AJ Bouye, Mike Purcell and Courtland Sutton returning, alongside a very talented draft class, the team could make waves in 2021.

“They go and draft Patrick Surtain, the rangy cornerback from Alabama who will stick his nose up there and hit,” Wyche said. “And they’ve got Justin Simmons, the safety, one of the best players in the game, and also at nose tackle, they’re getting back Purcell, who was out most of last year with a foot injury. That is a big returning player because he really helped out their run defense.”

The Broncos, on paper, have the sixth easiest schedule in the NFL, tied with the Dolphins.

Denver’s opponents combined to go 127-143-2 last season, or a .471 winning percentage. This could make the Broncos’ life a lot easier, especially with a healthy roster.

“They’re in a division where teams can score points and light it up but I think the Broncos defense has an opportunity to give a team that a lot of people are sleeping on an opportunity to at least get into that Wild Card spot in the AFC West,” Wyche said.