Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Denver Broncos last season did go wrong. But 2023 is a new year, and expectations are this season can be different under new head coach Sean Payton. They’re still perceived as a Super Bowl longshot but are expected to be much improved from going 5-12 a year ago.
Will Russell Wilson bounce back and lead the Broncos to the playoffs? We break it down with their betting lines and a best bet in this 2023 betting preview.
Take advantage of one of these sportsbook offers below if you’re getting into the market of Broncos futures!
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Denver Broncos Futures Odds
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Super Bowl Odds: +4500
Want to make a bet on this year’s Super Bowl winner? Click on the widget below!
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AFC West Odds: +550
Win Total: 8.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
To Make/Miss the Playoffs: +180/-215
Denver Broncos Offense Breakdown
The Broncos offense struggled mightily last season, finishing last in the NFL in points per game. But expectations are that this unit should be improved in 2023; I mean, it can’t get any worse than last season, can it?
Losing RB Javonte Williams to a torn ACL injury was a huge loss last season after he was poised for a breakout year, but he is fully recovered and ready to go. RB Samaje Perine was a nice depth signing in free agency, as he was one of the best backup running backs last season in Cincinnati.
They also made two big additions to their offensive line in free agency, signing G Ben Powers from the Ravens and OT Mike McGlinchey from the 49ers.
Despite getting Williams back and their upgrades on the offensive line, the success of this unit hinges on Wilson. He was abysmal in his first season in Denver, but how much of that was due to factors such as adjusting to a new team, horrific coaching, and injuries to key players around him? We’ll find out.
Denver Broncos Defense Breakdown
If there was any bright spot for the Broncos last season, it was their defense, ranking seventh in yards allowed per game. This defense is loaded with talent, with CB Pat Surtain II and S Justin Simmons leading the unit.
They made some notable additions to their defensive line in free agency, signing DE Zach Allen from the Cardinals and DE Frank Clark from the Chiefs. These signings should help improve a pass rush that recorded just 36 sacks last season.
Former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph has made his return to Denver as defensive coordinator, replacing Ejiro Evero, who the Panthers hired. Joseph had an unsuccessful tenure in Denver as head coach but is one of the brightest defensive minds in football and has a very talented defense to work with.
One Betting Trend To Know
Betting on the Broncos to cover the spread as an underdog last season returned a +27.1% return on investment, the sixth highest in the NFL, according to Inside Edge.
Best Bet for the Broncos in 2023
Blewis: Like I mentioned earlier, everything went wrong for the Broncos last season. Not only was Nathaniel Hackett one of the worst coaches in recent NFL history, and Russell Wilson was one of the most inefficient quarterbacks, but they were also decimated by injuries. According to Football Outsiders, the Broncos led the NFL in adjusted games lost due to injury in 2022.
Transitioning from Hackett to Sean Payton at head coach is perhaps the biggest individual upgrade in the NFL, including the Jets going from Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Not only did Payton have a 152-89 record in New Orleans, including a Super Bowl win, but the Saints were also ranked in the top 10 in total offense 13 times. A lot of that was obviously due to Drew Brees, but that type of yearly consistency is absurd.
This team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and Payton’s presence should help Wilson bounce back after last season. Hopefully, that was just a mirage and a product of horrible coaching and a dysfunctional situation, and not an indication of him declining as he ages.
But if he at least provides just competent quarterback play, I can’t see them going under their win total, despite playing in the AFC West. Denver Broncos over 8.5 wins.
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