NFL Futures: The Denver Broncos and QB Peyton Manning had a dream season in 2013 as they waltzed into the Super Bowl before their dream season became a nightmare reality check in a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks which exposed their softness as a team and weaknesses on defense, not to mention again call into question Manning’s post season career marks. Their only goal for 2014 is to atone themselves with a Super Bowl title. Denver opened as a 13/2 choice to win the Super Bowl and at 9/4 to win the AFC. Denver had an over under win total of 11.5 with even money on the over and -130 on the under.
Improvements Needed
Denver ranked 19th overall for total defense and 27th against the pass which proved to not be of “Super” caliber. The ground attack was a mediocre 15th in the NFL.
Handicapper’s Notes
Denver has covered 10 of their last 14 games on the road with 6 of their last 19 away games going under the total. Denver has covered 12 of their last 20 home games with just four of their last 16 home games going under the total. Denver has paid out in eight of their last 12 games as a favorite with seven of their last 11 as a chalk going under the total. Denver has lost five of their last seven games ATS as a dog with seven of their last eight as a dog going over the total.
Our Prognosis
Manning is the best regular season QB in NFL history but his playoff failures are legendary. While the Super Bowl loss was not all on Manning he certainly did little to stem the tide. Expect Denver make the playoffs without a problem but from there all bets are off!
