As the defending champions, Brisbane faces immense pressure as they prepare to clash with Melbourne, striving to avoid an alarming 0-3 record at the season's outset.
In the history of the NRL, only North Queensland managed to recover from such a dismal beginning in 2015 and eventually clinched the premiership.
Besides the Cowboys, only three other teams-Manly in 2021 and St George Illawarra in 2005-have lost their initial three matches yet still managed to finish within the top four.
Since the inception of the NRL in 1998, no team has won the championship while sitting outside the top four.
Moreover, progressing to the finals following a 0-3 start poses a significant challenge. In addition to the previously mentioned teams, only the Broncos (in 1999 and 2007), the Sea Eagles (2009), Melbourne (2000), Cronulla (2015), and the Warriors (2011) have managed to enter the play-offs under such unfavorable conditions.
A key strength for the Broncos last season was their capacity to stage comebacks, predominantly thanks to the exceptional skills of fullback Reece Walsh.
They secured victories after being down by 18 points once, recovered from 16-point deficits on two occasions, and overturned 14-point deficits twice, culminating in a 10-point comeback against the Storm in the finals.
Their season faced trials as well; after a round-13 defeat to Manly left them in 11th place, they rallied to win 11 of their next 13 matches, securing their seventh title.
"Everything's pretty calm at the moment. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon," said Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam.
"We're just at the start of the season now, trying to build to where we want to get to."