Can The SB 50 Champion Repeat in 2017

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos may have fulfilled their Super Bowl 50 quest by upsetting the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to bring home the bacon for future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, but if online sportsbooks everywhere, oddsmakers – and history – are to be believed, then the Broncos will face a much tougher task next season. Now, let’s find out if the Broncos stand a legitimate chance of repeating as Super Bowl champions in 2017.

Super Bowl 51 Lines for 2017

On to next year! Who are the early favorites for Super Bowl 51? (Vegas odds) https://t.co/wK0ESmWhzP

— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) February 8, 2016

Denver Broncos 20/1

Analysis: The first thing you need to know about Denver’s chances of winning consecutive Super Bowl championships is that the feat has only been accomplished nine times in league history and not since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots did so in 2003 and 2004. The Green Bay Packers were the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowl in 1966-67 (Super Bowl I and II). The Miami Dolphins did it again by winning Super Bowls 7 and 8 in 1973-73 and the Pittsburgh Steelers did it twice in 1974-75 and again in 1978-79. Joe Montana and Jerry Rice led the San Francisco 49ers to consecutive championships in 1988-89 while Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Thomas led Dallas to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1992-93. John Elway and Terrell Davis led the Denver Broncos to consecutive titles in 1997-98 and Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the Patriots to the last consecutive league championships. Now that you’re familiar with the history of consecutive Super Bowl winners, let’s examine Denver’s chances of winning it Super Bowl 51.

Offense

Despite winning it all, the Broncos were really mediocre on offense this season and I believe they’re going to have to address their shortcomings if they want to have a chance at winning consecutive titles. Denver finished the season ranked 16t in total offense (355.5 ypg), 14th in passing (248.1 ypg), 17th in rushing (107.4 ypg) and just 19th in scoring (22.2 ppg). Future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning had an abysmal campaign in throwing just nine TD passes and a league-high 17 interceptions during the regular season. Manning also has a $21.5 million salary-cap number for next season and Denver would definitely like to free up some of that money. With the Broncos unsure of whether Manning will be back under center or whether impressive backup Brock Osweiler will be the team’s start moving forward, fixing their offense has to be priority No. 1 for Denver this offseason. Osweiler is also an unrestricted free agent and I believe he will field some lucrative offers that could potentially make him leave the Broncos – especially if Manning decides he wants to play another season.

Defense

The Broncos’ stupendous defense is the main reason they won it all this season. Denver ranked first in total defense (283.1 ypg), first against the pass (199.6 ypg), third against the run (83.6 ypg) and fourth in points allowed (18.5 ppg). Super Bowl MVP Von Miller is a free agent, but he’ll likely be slapped with the franchise tag, so his return is not an issue. Underrated defensive end Malik Jackson, safety Omar Bolden, linebacker Danny Trevathan and safety David Bruton Jr. are all unrestricted free agents and I expect at least two of them to bolt for a higher payday. Veteran linebacker Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent, but I expect the Broncos to bring him back. The bottom line for the Broncos is that they’re going to have a different look on defense next season, though only time will tell how drastic.

Coaching

While Gary Kubiak will get the credit as the Super Bowl winning head coach, make no mistake about it NFL betting buffs, if was defensive coordinator Wade Phillips that is the main reason the Broncos won Super Bowl 50. As long as Phillips returns, Denver will be elite again defensively and have a good shot to at least reach Super Bowl 51. If Phillips doesn’t return, I think Denver’s chances of winning back-to-back Super Bowls lowers drastically. No matter how you look at it, the odds – and history – say the broncos most likely won’t leap past high favorites like New England, Seattle and Carolina – to win Super Bowl 51.