Denver Broncos 2014 NFL Betting Preview

Last season the Broncos represented the AFC in the Super Bowl after going 13-3 during the regular season. Denver lost just once at home and beat San Diego 24-17 and New England 26-16 during the postseason. Peyton Manning remained healthy throughout the season and led Denver to a 10-6 record against the spread including a 5-3 mark both at home and on the road. Only the Bears had a higher percentage of games go over than Denver. The Broncos went over the total 11 times including six overs and only two unders at home.

This season the Broncos play against the second hardest schedule in the NFL. Two of their three division rivals, Kansas City and San Diego, qualified for the playoffs last year. They match up with the NFC West, a division that had three 10 win teams last season and saw the Niners and Seahawks both reach the conference championship game. Denver’s first four opponents during the regular season this year combined to go 45-19 in 2013. They do not face a team who had a losing record last year until traveling to Oakland in week 10.

Denver recognizes that their window for winning a title goes as long as Manning remains an elite signal caller. At the age of 38 adding a few key pieces to help Manning, regardless of their age or cost, so long as they can make an impact immediately makes sense. John Elway and John Fox did exactly that adding veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Ware and corner Aqib Talib to an average defense. TJ Ward doesn’t have as much tread worn off the tires as Ware and Talib but left Cleveland for Denver after a breakout season at safety. Wide receiver Eric Decker is gone replaced by Emmanuel Sanders and rookie Cody Latimer. Montee Ball is now the man at running back with Knowshon Moreno leaving for Miami.

At 6-1, Denver is the preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl. Manning must navigate a difficult schedule and stay healthy. If he does so, they are among the most experienced and talented teams in the AFC.