2021 Denver Broncos Betting Preview: Odds, Lines, & Predictions

It’s been a while since the Broncos have been the powerhouse team we’ve seen in the past, and head coach Vic Fangio will look to deliver the team its first playoff berth since it won the Super Bowl in 2015. It remains to be seen who Denver’s quarterback will be to start the year as Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are embroiled in a quarterback battle while Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson are still linked to the team.

Regardless of who lines up under center for Denver, they will have plenty of offensive talent to work with. Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy provide a dynamic duo on the outside along with Noah Fant at the tight end. Those three will present some matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Denver also has a dynamic duo at the running back spot between veteran Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. They will be running behind a stout offensive line featuring All-Pro Garrett Bolles and high-level veteran Graham Glasgow.

The Broncos also figure to have one of the best secondaries in football as they resigned safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson to pair with new acquisitions at cornerback including Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby. Von Miller’s return to health gives Denver a potent pass rush with Bradley Chubb.

Denver has one of the best rosters in football outside of quarterback with talent and depth at just about every other position. If they can get consistent play out of one of their incumbents or acquire Rodgers or Watson, watch out – this is a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.

2020 Denver Broncos Team Stats

Points For: 323 (20.2 per game), 28th of 32
Points Against: 446 (27.9 per game), 25th of 32
Passing Yards Per Game: 215.6
Rushing Yards Per Game: 119.8
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 237.9
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 130.0

Key Offseason Transactions

The Broncos recognized that they had to improve their secondary in order to defend against the potent passing offenses in their division headlined by Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. The free agency acquisitions of Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby, the first-round draft pick of Patrick Surtain II, and the return to health of nickel corner Bryce Callahan give Denver arguably the most complete cornerback room in football.

Denver’s offseason was defined by resigning key veteran players. Justin Simmons has emerged as one of the best safeties in the NFL, and he deservedly earned a new contract of $61 million over 4 years. Kareem Jackson was also brought back at safety on a one-year, $5 million deal while defensive tackle Shelby Harris earned a 3-year, $27 million deal. Those three guys are critical to the Broncos’ defensive core.

Along with Fuller and Darby, the Broncos also brought in running back Mike Boone to compete for backfield touches and Bobby Massie who is the likely starting right tackle. In the draft, Denver added dynamic running back Javonte Williams as well as a bevy of contributors on defense including linebacker Baron Browning out of Ohio State. Finally, the Broncos traded for Teddy Bridgewater to give Drew Lock a real competition at QB.

2020 Denver Broncos Betting Stats

Record: 5-11-0
MOV:-7.9
ATS: 9-7-0
ATS +/-: -2.2
Over/Under: 8-8-0
Total +/-: +2.3

2021 Denver Broncos Betting Preview

Broncos’ bettors will have to navigate one of the best divisions in the NFL as Denver faces the Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders twice each. Denver went just 1-5 in the division last year and they will face an uphill battle to earn a winning record in the division. In addition, the Broncos have to face tough opponents such as the Ravens, Steelers, and Browns in the AFC North.

Denver does face the sixth-easiest schedule overall in terms of opponent win percentage. They face the worst division in the NFC, the NFC East, which was won by the 7-9 Washington Football Team last year. The Broncos will also have easy matchups against the Jaguars, Jets, Bengals, and Lions.

The Broncos went 9-7 ATS last year so Vegas often undervalued them; that could lead to value early in the season as Denver faces the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets in an easy first three weeks. Denver split their games in terms of over and under on the points total, but they could field an elite defense in 2021 so keep that in mind when betting on their over/under.

2021 Denver Broncos Super Bowl Odds

The Broncos have odds to win the Super Bowl right now, which is perhaps inflated due to their team being constantly linked to Aaron Rodgers in trade rumors. If they do acquire the reigning MVP, you have to imagine Denver would leap into the top five in Super Bowl odds. The Broncos are currently behind the Chiefs () and Chargers () in the AFC West. Denver may be on the outside looking in of the playoffs as currently constructed with their weak quarterback position, but that could change in a hurry. Stay tuned.

2021 Denver Broncos Playoff Odds

This is a playoff-caliber roster in Denver and their poor results last season aren’t indicative of this team’s potential. The Broncos’ defense follows the recipe they did the last time they made the playoffs as they combine a stacked secondary with a potent pass rush. However, that defense will be put to the test repeatedly and Denver will need their offense to produce at a high level as well. The Broncos are currently listed at about +145 to make the playoffs, and in a 7-team playoff, they have a great chance to make that happen.

2021 Denver Broncos Win Total Odds

Sportsbooks probably feel a bit queasy about having the Broncos listed at a win total of 8.5 games as if they acquire Rodgers or Watson Denver would absolutely crush this number. The Broncos haven’t reached 9 wins since 2016, but they also likely haven’t had a roster this good since then either. While the AFC West presents some talented offensive talent, the Raiders and Chargers both have a wide range of potential outcomes. Denver has every opportunity to reach 9 wins with their current roster, and it’s a near-lock if they improve the quarterback position with their talent elsewhere.

2021 Denver Broncos Player Futures Odds

Drew Lock is listed at to win MVP while Melvin Gordon is at and Von Miller is at . None of these players are really great investments for MVP, however.

There aren’t likely any players on this roster who will challenge for the Offensive Player of the Year award, but the Defensive Player of the Year could be in Denver. Von Miller () is the top DPOY candidate while Bradley Chubb () is an intriguing sleeper. Chubb is on his way to becoming one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL while Miller has been one of the best pass-rushers in football over the past decade.

Patrick Surtain II (+1400) was one of the top defensive players drafted, but cornerbacks rarely win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Javonte Williams () is a decent sleeper for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, particularly if he earns the starting spot before the beginning of the season.