Repeating as Super Bowl Champions is as daunting a task as there is in professional sports. The effort, sacrifice and hard work needed to win just one title is a feat in itself. Add to that the target now attached to your back and, well lets just say it makes the task nigh on impossible. Having only been accomplished by seven teams in NFL history, winning back-to-back crowns will prove difficult; but despite the odds being stacked against them, the Denver Broncos can repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
Denver Broncos Can Repeat as Super Bowl Champs
This Broncos team can repeat, because they will run the ball effectively and wear down opposing defenses. The run game will open up opportunities in the passing attack for one of the leagues best wide receiver duos to expose secondaries and make big plays. Throw this balanced offense alongside the dominant defense, that will be even better this year, and Denver looks poised to lift another Lombardi Trophy come seasons end.
Running Attack
Gary Kubiak and the Broncos run game will have a different look and feel to it this fall. C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman will once again shoulder the majority of the workload. Anderson, who re-signed with Denver in the off-season will be the feature back and has stated that he wants to be the best to ever play that position. Hillman will add a change of pace that could easily see him break long runs. Expect Kubiak to run a lot of two and three tight end sets to help open up running lanes and allow the backs to make their cuts and get North and South quickly. With both backs returning for their second year in this offense, there will be a better understanding of those blocking schemes and cut back lanes which will increase productivity immensely. Sixth round selection Andy Janovich will add another blocker to clear out incoming linebackers and safeties, as well as provide another option in both the run and pass games. Rookie Devontae Booker is going to push the incumbent running backs trying to create his chance. He stated in a recent press conference, “I’m not here to carry someone’s pads, I’m here to take their job.” With that positive mental attitude and his talents on the field, Booker will look to show Broncos fans why John Elway was so excited to draft this kid. This running attack will be different from the one on display the past few seasons, but it will be familiar to those in Broncos Country as it is similar to the style of game which saw the team win consecutive titles back in the late 90’s.
Passing Attack
It is in the pass attack where many pundits feel Denver will be at their weakest. Due to the loss of Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler in the off-season, quarterback became the position under the most scrutiny for the defending Champions. The acquisition of Mark Sanchez through free agency did not ease those concerns for critics and many feel that first round draft pick Paxton Lynch is a work in progress. Sanchez will likely be the starter for the Broncos come September causing many so-called experts to predict a less than stellar season for this team. All of this cork board material will only fuel Sanchez to play better. He actually had a higher completion percentage than Manning last year, 64.8% compared to 59.8%, and it is unlikely that Sanchez will throw 17 interceptions this season as his predecessor did. With Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as his main targets, look for his stats to pile up quickly. One of the best, if not the best wise receiving tandems in the league combined for over 2400 yards receiving while grabbing 12 touchdowns last year which will help the quarterback look like an All-Pro. Bennie Fowler, Cody Latimer and cast will give Sanchez viable third and fourth options from the slot position. Second year tight end Jeff Heuerman is eager to showcase his skills after not playing a down in his rookie campaign. Combine these targets with the running backs slipping outside and underneath coverages and this has the potential to be a big play offense.
Defense
Last year’s Lombardi run was due in large part to a defense that dominated opponents drawing comparisons to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Despite their amazing year, many critics still do not give this defense the credit they deserve. This is mind boggling, with All-Pros like Demarcus Ware and Von Miller returning for a second year in Wade Phillips system, this team can only improve. They led the league last year in overall defense and stymied the vaunted Carolina Panthers offense in Super Bowl 50.
Perhaps the media feel that the loss of players like Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan will somehow leave gaps in this dynamic unit. Maybe losing leaders like David Bruton, Jr. or Omar Bolden will strip this team of its identity and they won’t be able to boss opponents in the same fashion.
These concerns and fears need not worry Broncos fans, this defense will be better than last year. Safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart have both expressed disappointment in the lack of respect. Both have said that the league will see a much more focused defense this year, concentrating on more takeaways and less mental errors.
Ware and Miller will once again terrorize opposing lineman and quarterbacks, while Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams and company will look to stifle the run game from the inside. Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett off the bench are equally a nightmare to their opponents. Both have been working diligently this off season to ensure that their game improves. Ray has altered his eating habits and hit the weight room in preparation for his sophomore campaign. It is evident that he intends to make good on his first round selection in 2015 and play at an All-Pro level.
Brandon Marshall, who led the team in tackles last year, will anchor that middle line-backing unit making this front seven very formidable. Expect Todd Davis and Zaire Anderson to become household names by seasons end playing alongside and complimenting Marshall’s abilities.
To make it even more frightening for opposing coaches and coordinators, the Denver secondary is likely the best in the business. Dubbed the “No Fly Zone”, shutdown corners Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Jr. make life miserable for wide receivers and quarterbacks alike. Bradley Roby is a fantastic nickel and dime corner who would probably start for most other teams. He has been a play-maker since entering the league, including intercepting Tom Brady‘s two point conversion attempt in the AFC Championship which helped send the Broncos to the Super Bowl. Ward and Stewart anchor this unit, wreaking havoc across the field. The addition of Justin Simmons and Will Parks in the draft make this secondary top notch. The old adage states “Defense wins Championships”. That was never more apparent than in Denver’s triumph over the Carolina Panthers in last year’s Super Bowl. There will be no let up with the 2016 squad as they set out to show America just how good they are.
By strengthening the running attack, Sanchez and his receivers will make this a well balanced offense capable of scoring on anyone. With the offense clicking and the defense controlling the opposition, this team will be scary good, which is why the Denver Broncos can and will repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
