For America, the Denver Broncos’ fun run became very real on Sunday after the team topped the Washington Commanders in overtime to win a ninth-straight game.
Oddsmakers reacted to the Broncos’ most recent win by making the Orange and Blue the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX in February. While those in Broncos Country may have been Bo-lievers for much longer, it seems as though the result in primetime and in dramatic fashion may have finally convinced folks — it doesn’t hurt that the Kansas City Chiefs lost yet again on Thanksgiving, too.
Broncos’ odds to win the AFC:
Denver: +450
Buffalo: +480
New England: +490
Indianapolis: +690
Baltimore: +700
Kansas City: + 880
The reason Denver is in the driver’s seat, according to the books, is that the Broncos have very real control of the top seed in the AFC, and that comes with a bye for the first round. The math on having to win two home games to make the Super Bowl, instead of three with varying locations, obviously leads to a much better chance for whoever secures the top seed.
The Patriots can take a half-game lead over the Broncos with a win on Monday Night Football, but they have a bye next week when the Broncos travel to the struggling Raiders. If the two are tied, as they are before this week’s Pats’ game, the Broncos currently own the top tiebreaker.
The Broncos’ last postseason win was actually in Super Bowl 50, and that was the second-to-last playoff game they even participated in, getting trounced by the Bills last year over Wild Card weekend, but it snapped the team’s postseason drought. The Bills are tied with a few other teams at 8-4, but many see them as a stronger team than the rest because of reigning MVP Josh Allen and their bevy of recent playoff experience.
Denver may not have as much playoff experience, but there’s nothing better than the bye, and it could power Sean Payton to become the first coach in NFL history to win the big game for two separate franchises. The Broncos have to get their first, though the ball is now in their court.
