Has a defending Super Bowl champion ever been so overlooked in their own division than the Denver Broncos? They saw future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning ride off into the sunset after leading them to a win last February.
The Broncos also lost his backup, Brock Osweiler to free agency, creating many anxious moments in the mile high city. But the best defense in the AFC still resides in Denver, and as long as that’s the case, it won’t matter who is quarterbacking.
Denver Broncos Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Broncos Over 9.5 Wins -126
Broncos Under 9.5 Wins -150
Talk about your seismic shifts. In the span of barely a month, the Broncos went from champagne-soaked, confetti-covered Super Bowl champions to just another NFL team in desperate search of a quarterback.
Few defending Super Bowl champions have experienced the level of attrition the Broncos have this offseason. Denver not only lost its Super Bowl-winning quarterback, but his expected replacement as well, plus a handful of other starters. This is almost a rebuilding project.
Manning took his ball and his slew of NFL records and went home, and his would-be successor, Brock Osweiler, bolted for Houston via free agency. With Mark Sanchez, he of ESPN butt-fumble infamy, keeping the seat warm for No. 1 draft pick Paxton Lynch, the Broncos find themselves a team in transition. But that doesn’t mean they can’t win a bunch of games once again.
2016 Denver Broncos Schedule
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers ( +2.5 )
Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts ( +5 )
Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals ( -3 )
Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( +2.5 )
Week 5: vs. Atlanta Falcons ( +6.5 )
Week 6: at San Diego Chargers ( +3 )
Week 7: vs. Houston Texans ( +6.5 )
Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers ( +7 )
Week 9: at Oakland Raiders ( +1 )
Week 10: at New Orleans Saints ( +1 )
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs ( +3 )
Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars ( +3.5 )
Week 14: at Tennessee Titans ( +5.5 )
Week 15: vs. New England Patriots ( -1 )
Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs ( -1.5 )
Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
Being defending Super Bowl champs is a blessing and a curse in the NFL. In 2016, the Broncos will have five primetime matchups on the docket with a chance to feature their relentless defense. They also have a target on their back and teams will be gunning for them, feeling good about their chances against a Denver club with an unsettled quarterback and Von Miller situation. Having a bye in Week 11 could be huge for the Broncos, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It’s safe to assume the Titans and Jaguars will be improved, which makes the final stretch seem fairly brutal.
QUICK PICK
Manning’s 55 touchdown passes in 2013? That’s ancient history in Denver. Armed with the league’s most dominant edge rushers and an all-world secondary, the Broncos will go old school in 2016, grinding out time and yardage in the running game and letting their defense steal the ball and control the game. According to no less an authority than Cam Newton, it’s a formula for success, even in today’s pass-giddy NFL.
Assuming you didn’t spend Super Sunday at the mall on a pre-Valentine’s Day shopping spree, you already know how dominant the Broncos’ pass rush is. Outside linebacker Von Miller is the single most dangerous edge rusher in the business, and his partner, DeMarcus Ware, is back for what could be his NFL swan song.
But wait, there’s more. The Broncos have assembled nothing short of an embarrassment of riches on the corner. Backup outside linebackers Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett would start and star for virtually every other NFL team.
And despite the turnover on offense, don’t feel sorry for the group. The Broncos may be better off during the regular season with Sanchez at quarterback. His QBR was higher than that of the Manning-Osweiler combo and it’s quite possible Sanchez could play at a level similar to 2016. Denver needed a short-term quarterback and it’s unclear whether Sanchez is that far off from Osweiler. So, don’t go counting Denver out simply because No. 18 retired.
NFL Odds: Denver Broncos Under 9.5 Wins
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