When the Super Bowl ended two weeks ago, the Broncos had the fourth-best odds to win the 2015-season Super Bowl at 8-to-1.
The uncertainty of Peyton Manning, the possible reduction in receiving talent and a lack of gambler confidence has dropped the Broncos below the Indianapolis Colts and into a fifth-place tie with the Dallas Cowboys at 12-to-1, according to the Las Vegas Westgate Super Book.
The NFL’s top eight Super Bowl favorites: New England (5-1), Seattle (6-1), Green Bay (7-1), Colts (10-1), Broncos and Cowboys (12-to-1), Detroit and Philadelphia (20-1).
“The early going, the Broncos aren’t getting much support from anyone as far as the money coming in,” said Jay Kornegay, Westgate’s vice president of race and sports operations. “Even if Manning does come back, at this stage in his career he has to be 100 percent healthy or very close to that to be effective. His health, his weapons that surround him and lack of public support are the three main ingredients for the Broncos (odds) slowly creeping up there.”
No. 1 receiver Demaryius Thomas will be back, either through the franchise tag or multi-year contract extension. The Broncos are expected to tag Thomas during the two-week window that opened Monday and runs through March 2. Slot receiver Wes Welker is not expected back and it’s iffy whether the Broncos can re-sign tight end Julius Thomas. No. 2 receiver Emmanuel Sanders is under contract for two more years.
“Welker, despite his great career, great player, at this stage would not be considered a missing link for the Broncos,” Kornegay said. “However, Julius is a huge target. Even though he’s a very slow healer, there’s some upside there where if he leaves, they’re going to miss him.”
Yet, Vegas hasn’t buried the Broncos. They’re still the overwhelming favorites to win their fifth consecutive AFC West title. Kornegay is still impressed with the Broncos’ defense.
“The big picture is they’re still not that far from being a championship team,” Kornegay said. “It’s just like everybody else: They have a few question marks here and there. If most of those question marks work out in their favor, they can make a run. If most of those question marks fall to the short side, for Bronco fans it’s going to be disappointing.”
