The Denver Broncos learned that the defense is going to have to improve after falling to the Seahawks in Super Bowl 48. The Broncos want to get Peyton Manning another shot at a Superbowl win this year, and GM John Elway used a lot of cap space to help improve the D.
Manning, a 5-time MVP, gives the Broncos one of the best offense, but without defensive improvement a Superbowl victory will elude Denver.
Odds to win Superbowl: 11/2
Odds to win AFC: 2/1 (favorite)
Odds to win AFC West: -350
Betting Odds c/o Bovada
The Broncos are lethal offensively. Last year the team broke a league scoring record and had five players who scored 10 TDs or more. Eric Decker and Knowshon Moreno left via free agency, and the Broncos will need to replace their production to remain the league’s juggernaut on the offensive end of the ball. Manning, now 37, had the best season of his NFL career last year and is two years removed from his neck surgeries now. His arm strength is back to top form and his accuracy throwing within gaps is unparalleled. The Broncos drafted Brock Osweiler as Manning’s eventual replacement, but Manning is likely still two or three years away from retirement, barring major injury.
Montee Ball will be the featured back replacing Moreno who left via free agency to the Dolphins. Ball averaged more yardage than Moreno last year, anyway, and he’s good enough to be a No. 1 back in the NFL. It’s behind Ball on the depth chart that the Broncos are weak, and C.J. Anderson may end up as the No. 2 back if Ronnie Hillman continues on his struggles last season.
Manning has a lot of great targets at WR. Demaryius Thomas has the makings of a stud and he gives CBs problems on both short and long routes. Wes Welker is a great slot receiver, but suffered two concussions last season late in the year. TE Julius Thomas is the best TE in Denver since HOFer Shannon Sharpe played.
Denver will radically reconstruct its 4-3 defense from last season. The team lost a lot of starters to season-ending injuries last season, and all five players will return at full health. The defense could be as “brutal and nasty” as Ware dubbed it. Von Miller is one of the best defenders in the NFL but had a tough year in 2013 after violating the substance abuse terms and then tearing his ACL. His off-field behavior has to improve, as well as his focus. He’ll be a hybrid LB/pass rusher again this season. The CB corp is aggressive and athletic, and the safeties will benefit from the addition of Ward.
The Broncos will be contenders for as long as Manning remains productive, and the Futures odds at Bovada evidence the strength of this team. The team has had issues with health, but is the favorites to win the AFC and it seems likely that the Broncos do indeed return to the Superbowl. An improvement from the defense gives the Broncos a good chance at getting it done this year.
