Denver Broncos

Bounce Back

Last year the Broncos suffered the worst losing streak in franchise history. They flirted with 4 different players at the QB position, had the second worst turnover differential in the NFL and finished with a losing record for the first time since 2010. While the Denver Broncos betting prospects have improved for this year, the quest for a winning season is still an uphill climb.

This year the Broncos took a step back to look at the situation and decided that the team this year was going to center around the defense. Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Bradley Roby and Chris Harris Jr. will be the leaders and the success or failure of the Broncos betting odds will depend on them.

Linebacker Chubb is the team's number one draft pick from 2018. He was a first team All-ACC and Unanimous First Team All American at NC State. He joins Miller and Harris Jr, who have both appeared in several Pro Bowls. Miller was also the Super Bowl MVP in 2016.

The good news is that the Broncos are in the AFC West, which is a division that is more or less up for grabs according to our NFL sportsbook odds. So with some hard work and a little luck, a playoff spot is not totally out of the question for this year.

Offence still matters

No matter how good the defense is, the Broncos will still need to score points to win. Leading the way in that endeavor is quarterback Case Keenum, who as a 5 year NFL veteran knows a thing or two about putting up a fight. Keenum was undrafted out of college and bounced around different practice squads before landing a starting role with the St. Louis Rams. From there he established himself as a capable quarterback with the Vikings last year and this offseason signed a 2-year, $36 million contract to be the Broncos starter for 2018.

Keenum will be working with Longtime Broncos wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as well as newcomers DeaSean Hamilton and Courtland Sutton. Thomas and Sanders are both established stars who are both in their 30's and have been in several Pro Bowls. Both were on the Bronco's Superbowl winning squad in 2016.

As for running backs, Devontae Booker returns for his third season. He has been a consistent presence the last two years and should improve in 2018 if he stays healthy. Alongside him is Broncos third round draft pick Royce Freeman. Freeman was a standout at the University of Oregon, where he set the record for PAC-12 career rushing touchdowns.

These players help set Keenum up to have an offence similar to that of last year's Vikings, whom he almost lead to the Super Bowl. With dependable receivers and a smart, small gains rushing plan that focuses on not turning the ball over, Keenum will be expected to do much of the same with the Broncos this year.

Could go either way

One could easily see the Broncos having success this year if things go their way. This is, after all, a team not that far removed from a Super Bowl. However, after last season's woes, it is clear that things could also go downhill should the defense not live up to expectations and Keenum has a bad year or worse, gets injured. Only time will tell.