Denver Broncos

5 reasons why the Broncos will repeat as Super Bowl champs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With a hot start to the NFL season, here are five reasons why Denver can be the first team in over a decade to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

Winning championships are never easy. As the Denver Broncos try to defend their Super Bowl crown they are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in over a decade. The last team that accomplished that feat was the 2004 and 2005 New England Patriots.

Completing the task of becoming a back-to-back champion will associate them with the John Elway and Terrell Davis led Broncos teams that collected consecutive championships for the “Mile High City” with wins in Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII.

Last season, the Broncos rode the wheels of the defense. With Von Miller doing his best impersonation of Lawrence Taylor, Denver waltzed to a Super Bowl Victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Despite the team having Peyton Manning under center, the offense was mediocre at best. While they received a few big plays from C.J. Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders, and Demaryius Thomas, it was the defense who spearheaded their run of dominance.

Unlike last season, the Broncos are more efficient on offense, which benefits the star-laden defense. Of course, winning another ring will be challenging, but to no surprise, the Broncos are far and away the favorite to win Super Bowl 51.

Here are five reasons why they can go back-to-back, in spite of starting a quarterback that could only be found on his Wikipedia page.

5. John Elway

John Elway is the brains behind the success of the Denver Broncos. During his illustrious football career, Elway was a winner as seen with his two victories in Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII.

Elway took his winning ways to the front office in the role of executive vice president of football operations. In his place, he has the last say in all football decisions, and during his time, he’s been wildly successful.

Through his tenure, he’s helped assemble a top-flight defense good enough to keep winning with different quarterbacks. He’s won with two variations of Peyton Manning. The MVP who tossed an NFL record 55 touchdowns, and the quarterback whose arm that turned into a noodle during a key point in a run to Super Bowl 50.

He’s also won significant games with Brock Osweiler, and now the Broncos are undefeated with the unheralded Trevor Siemian.

Elway’s decision making has been a plus for the Broncos, and his impact continues to pay dividends. Between his working relationships with head coach Gary Kubiak and top-notch defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the trio has demonstrated a hallmark of success. As it looks, Elway is continuing his wave of success, and it could lead to yet another Super Bowl victory.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. The rest of the NFL is unpredictable

Tom Brady is back from suspension which means the Patriots will be playing to go to the Super Bowl. The same can be said for Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Outside of the Broncos, Steelers, and Patriots, the NFL is wildly unpredictable.

There are many undervalued teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, St.Louis Rams, and Minnesota Vikings winning at a high rate during the first quarter of the NFL season.

On the other end, established winning team such as the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Cincinnati Bengals are playing middling football. For both outlooks, it’s easy to ask, how long will it last?

Will Cam Newton morph back into Superman?

Will the Minnesota Vikings continue their meteoric rise to NFC supremacy?

As of now, we don’t know, but what we do know is that the Broncos are the most dependable team in the NFL. Since the start of last season, the team has played four quarterbacks in Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, and Paxton Lynch, and the team hasn’t missed a beat.

Many teams don’t have that luxury, and that’s what separates the Broncos from others. While the other teams are inconsistent, that makes it an easier path for the Broncos trek to Houston for Super Bowl 51.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans cheer in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. The playoff format suits the Broncos

Unlike other professional sports such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB, the NFL is a one-game, win and you’re out scenario. Having said that, the pressure-cooker of the NFL playoffs doesn’t bode well for most teams.

As we’ve seen in past and recent years, winning in the playoffs is tough. On many of occasions, we’ve seen teams annihilate opponents in the regular season to only lose in the early rounds of the playoffs. There are certain teams that are better suited for the regular season, and there are those built for the gauntlet of the playoffs, like Denver.

In the playoff setting, the layout is a huge advantage for the Broncos. With that notion, it is a huge reason defensive teams win Super Bowls. History has exhibited that teams with top-flight defenses win more compared to teams that score a substantial amount of points.

The playoff format is fitting for Denver because it plays to their strengths.

Coupled with the one-game scenario and the likelihood of a team traveling to the Mile High City for a playoff game gives Denver, yet another advantage.

With their experience and the way the team is constructed, the playoff format helpful for the Broncos.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) drops back to pass in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

2. Improved quarterback play

Before Peyton Manning apologists disagree, hold that thought. The Broncos won Super Bowl 50 with Manning channeling his inner Jack “Cap” Rooney from the hit movie Any Given Sunday. Although Denver won the Lombardi trophy it wasn’t because of the play under center.

With Peyton’s obvious passing deficiencies last season, the Broncos were unable to assemble a threatening passing game for opposing defenses. While it’s premature to praise Siemian as a future Hall of Famer for his play through four games, the consistency that he’s exhibited has surprised many.

In his first game as a starter, he led a comeback against Super Bowl runner-up Carolina Panthers. Giving his team confidence that he can make plays on the linehas been an upgrade compared to last year.

In ten games, Manning tossed an atrocious nine touchdowns to seventeen interceptions. As of now, Siemian is on pace to pass Manning’s touchdown total while keeping his interception total down.

When taking a more in-depth look at the stats, Siemian is more efficient. The now retired, former MVP tossed six touchdowns to five interceptions, while the unproven quarterback from Northwestern is currently standing at six touchdowns to three interceptions.

Of course, Siemian’s numbers will never be on par with the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees, but the Broncos don’t need him to do that.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrates his interception with Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and strong safety T.J. Ward (43) in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. The defense is the best in the business.

Not to get the Broncos defense confused with the 1985 Chicago Bears or the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, but the defense assembled in Denver is elite. With losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency, there was an expected drop off, but that hasn’t been the case.

They are in the top five in total defense, holding opponents to 283.2 yards per game. As you might expect, Super Bowl 50 MVP, Von Miller, is an early candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s not the only Bronco playing at a supreme level.

The cornerback trio of Bradley Roby, Aquib Talib, and Chris Harris Jr., remains outstanding as they are holding teams to an NFL’s second-best 169.5 yards per game. The Broncos have also received improved performances from Derek Wolfe, Shane Ray, and a host of others.

Last season, the defense carried the team to the Super Bowl and defeated the Panthers. With a better offense this season, it allows the Broncos to play at an even higher level.

Thus far, they have made opposing quarterbacks such as Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Jameis Winston, and Andy Dalton all look second-rate. Under the tutelage of Wade Phillips, there’s no reason to believe that the defense can’t continue their dominance for the rest of the season and in the playoffs.