Denver Broncos NFL Prediction: 2021 Season Betting Odds and Preview
After a brutal 5-11 campaign in 2020, Denver Broncos legend John Elway stepped down as GM, though he still remains president of football operations. The man in charge of rebuilding Denver’s roster is George Paton, former second-in-command with the Vikings. Paton completely overhauled the team through aggressive free agency bidding and a deep draft class. Are the offseason changes in the Mile High City enough to get the Broncos back into the playoffs?
Veteran Additions
QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Mike Boone, OT Bobby Massie, C Brett Jones, DT Shamar Stephen, CB Kyle Fuller, CB Ronald Darby
Notable Draft Picks
CB Patrick Surtain II, RB Javonte Williams, G Quinn Meinerz, LB Baron Browning, S Caden Sterns
Offseason Losses
RB Phillip Lindsay, OT Ja’Wuan James, OT Demar Dotson, OT Elijah Wilkinson, DT Jurrell Casey, DT DeMarcus Walker, OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, CB A.J. Bouye, S Will Parks
Denver Broncos Acquisitions and Moves
As noted above, the biggest offseason addition is new GM Paton. His biggest move was bringing in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to compete with Drew Lock for the starting job. It was more of a Plan B after failing to acquire Aaron Rodgers via trade. Bridgewater won the starting job over Lock in the preseason and comes in as a quarterback who isn’t flashy, but can give you mistake-free football.
Bridgewater will have a plethora of receiving talent to target. Courtland Sutton is back after missing all but one game last season with a torn ACL. He’ll lead a group that includes K.J. Hamler, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick, as well as Noah Fant at tight end. The run-game was boosted with the addition of running back Mike Boone in free agency and second-round draft pick Javonte Williams. The offensive additions were rounded out by signing Bobby Massie, who replaces Ja’Wuan James at right tackle.
Defensively, the biggest pickup was cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who Denver drafted ninth overall. Surtain followed up a strong training camp with a great preseason, even picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown in his preseason debut.
Nose tackle Mike Purcell looks healthy after missing most of last year with a foot injury. There’s also more depth at linebacker, as Justin Strnad looks ready to make his regular season debut after missing his rookie season with a wrist injury. Strnad will compete for reps with Denver’s third-round draft pick this year, Baron Browning.
Denver Broncos 2021 NFL Schedule
One of the perks of the Broncos’ terrible 5-11 season last year, is an easier slate in 2021. Denver has the sixth-easiest schedule based on their opponents’ record from last season. That’s a great boost to a team that has significantly upgraded its roster.
It’s an easy start to the year for the Broncos, as they’ll take on both New York teams and Jacksonville in the first three weeks of the season. Denver lucked out by facing NFC East opponents, although they do end the season with a tough test at home against Kansas City.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 12 @ New York Giants, 4:25 p.m
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19 @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 26 vs. New York Jets, 4:05 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, October 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10 @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 21 @ Cleveland Browns, 8:20 p.m.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31 vs. Washington Football Team, 4:25 p.m.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, December 5 @ Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12 vs. Detroit Lions, 4:05 p.m.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:05 p.m.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26 @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2 @ Los Angeles chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos NFL Betting Odds
The Broncos have upgraded a lot of their roster, but they’re still in a tough AFC West division, so they see themselves at +151 to make the playoffs. I think they’ll just barely scrape above .500 this year, so I like the Over at -149 for their regular season win total of 8.5. Denver is +566 to win the AFC West, trailing both the Chargers (+496) and Chiefs (-333), but well ahead of the Raiders (+1532).
Unsurprisingly, the Broncos’ odds to win the AFC conference outright aren’t great at +1734. Wondering their Super Bowl odds? They’re in the bottom half of the league at +3900.
Denver Broncos 2021 Season Prediction
Believe it or not, the Broncos were close to being a Super Bowl contender this year. They reportedly passed on a quarterback with the ninth overall pick because they were convinced they would be able to trade for Rodgers. That failed attempt leaves them questionable under centre yet again, as Bridgewater is their 11th starting quarterback since Peyton Manning retired. Outside of quarterback, the roster looks pretty good and I see them finishing the season 9-8.