The Denver Broncos have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and a defense that can make life miserable for even the most explosive offenses.
In addition to the two aforementioned reasons, there are a handful of other great reasons why betting on the Broncos to win Super Bowl 50 is a great idea.
With that said and the Broncos getting set for their divisional date against Pittsburgh this coming weekend, let’s find out why backing Denver to bring home the Super Bowl bacon is a wise idea.
With that said, let’s get started.
So what the Broncos were mediocre across the board offensively this season, Denver has an elite defense that reminds me of a federal ‘supermax’ prison – and one that could very well carry them all the way to the Super Bowl 50 title!
The Broncos finished the regular season 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).
Outside linebackers Von Miller (fourth) and DeMarcus Ware (ninth) and cornerbacks Aqib Talib (third) and Chris Harris Jr. (second selection) all earned Pro Bowl berths while several could have as well.
Miller has recorded a team-high 11 sacks and Talib has picked off a team-high three passes, although I don’t believe statistics will ever give Denver’s defense the credit they really deserve.
The Broncos also tied for seventh in takeaways (27) and finished first overall for the first time in the franchise’s 55-year history.
“Yeah, that’s really special,” head coach Gary Kubiak said of the accomplishment. “Going into the game, I think that was something we talked about. … (Defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and the coaches have come in and done a great job. The players responded to Wade’s scheme very well.”
As stunning as it may seem, the Broncos allowed just one opponent to reach the 30-point plateau this season.
Manning replaced Osweiler at the end of the regular season.
Home Field Advantage
The Broncos will have home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and that’s absolutely huge with the Broncos going 6-2 SU in front of their home fans. Denver has always had a huge advantage playing at home whether it was in the old Mile High Stadium, or today’s more modernized version.
No one wants to play the Broncos on the road in January and that could help them both, reach and win – Super Bowl 50.
Peyton’s Place!
So what, Peyton Manning has compiled an uninspiring 11-13 record in the postseason! The fact of the matter is that, this season, the Broncos are much more of a balanced team offensively, thereby taking a ton of pressure off of their future Hall of Famer to win this game based solely on the strength of his right arm.
Manning relieved Brock Osweiler in Denver’s 27-20 regular season finale while leading the Broncos on four scoring drives. Manning completed 5-of-9 passes for 69 yards and looked a lot like the Peyton Manning of old.
“I knew he still had it,” wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said after Sunday’s game. “It was a matter of giving him an opportunity to get healthy.”
