2015 Denver Predictions
The Denver Broncos enter the 2015 season as, once again, a favourite to contend for both the AFC championship and the Super Bowl. For whatever reason this team just hasn’t been able to get over the hump despite being loaded with one of the most talented rosters in football.
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Denver Broncos
2014 record: 12-4
Broncos Odds to win 2015 AFC Conference: 11/2
Broncos Odds to win 2015 Super Bowl: 15/1
One has to wonder how many more miles are on Peyton Manning’s engine, especially after the QB was hampered by injuries down the stretch last year and the once unstoppable Broncos offense looked listless at times.
The AFC West remains the Broncos’ division to lose, and this team should be in the fold come post season once again this year. There haven’t been many major changes to the offense, save for the departure of tight end Julius Thomas, who will be replaced by Owen Daniels.
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Peyton Manning throughout his career it’s that he doesn’t necessarily need stars around him, but rather he turns players into stars.
Wes Welker is also no longer with the team, though that shouldn’t slow this team down as Welker’s role had diminished last season and he was not much of an impact player.
Instead this team will lean on Demaryius Thomas who just signed a massive contract, and I expect this team to run the ball a lot more this year. Down the stretch last season with Manning labouring the Broncos looked to running back C.J. Anderson to keep the offense rolling and he did a fairly admirable job.
Anderson will take on the number one running back role to start the season but will be pushed by Montee Ball and this team has a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield.
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The Broncos made a splash in the offseason acquiring DeMarcus Ware and this team’s pass rush will be formidable with Ware and Von Miller at the outside linebacker positions causing havoc for opposing QB’s. Aqib Talib was brought over from the Patriots as well and will add some stability to the secondary. Rookie Shane Ray has been limited in camp with a toe injury, but he’s going to be on the first defensive unit, that you can count on.
Where the big question lies is how will this team function under coach Gary Kubiak’s version of the west coast offense. Kubiak has said that he will be putting in an offense that is committed to the run game, but also that he will tailor things to suit Manning.
The Broncos’ schedule is what should give a lot of optimism about this team at the very least having a successful regular season. Finally the Broncos don’t have to travel to Gillette Stadium, which has been a funeral home for many teams, including the Broncos and Peyton Manning. Denver gets the Pats at Mile High this season so the outcome may be a little different than the past few seasons when these teams collide.
Another very tough matchup on the sched is the Packers in week 8, but once again, the Broncos get that one on home field. Divisional games aside, a week 9 trip to Indianapolis is the only road game on the schedule that you can chalk up as a high potential for a loss right now. Perhaps the Steelers in week 15 could be a bit of a tough out, but a quick glance at the schedule would suggest this team is primed for another 12 or 13 win season.
Broncos Betting Outlook:
This should be another AFC West Division title for the Broncos and that’s a safe bet if you’re looking at making it.
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Playoff success has eluded this team to some extent, dating back to their implosion against the Seahawks two years ago and coming out completely flat in their divisional game against the Colts last year. All things being equal, the Broncos have lost their last two playoff games.
A more run-centric offense and a defense that looks like a QB’s nightmare, at least in terms of pass rush could be the remedy to get this team back to the Super Bowl. Less pressure on Manning to do it himself will be a big help, and even when he does need to do it himself, he’s Peyton Manning.
Denver 2015 Prediction
12 wins is very realistic, just from going over their schedule. New England and Green Bay are definitely tough outs, but the Broncos get both of them at home. Indy on the road looks like a loss, and you can always count on either the Chargers or Chiefs to come in with a game plan and put it to the Broncos.
If Manning can stay healthy, this team is always going to be a threat in the AFC and I’m picking them to return to the conference championship this year. Who they play and where the game takes place will play a huge factor in whether or not they return to the Super Bowl, but this team is good enough and their window is closing as Manning’s career winds down. This may be their last kick at the can for a while.
The 2015 NFL futures betting season is right around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.
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