The Broncos will not be competing for a championship this season. Instead, their goal will be to make sure they have their quarterback of the future in Bo Nix.
Sean Payton's transformation of the Broncos franchise continues with a second starting quarterback in as many years. Whether Nix will open the season as a starter remains to be seen.
Let's break down the Broncos heading into the 2024 season.
2024 Broncos Odds
Odds via FanDuel and as of Aug. 11.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl | +25000 |
| AFC Champion | +7500 |
| AFC West | +2000 |
| Make/Miss Playoffs | +820 / -1600 |
| Win Total | 5.5 (-102 / -120) |
2023 Broncos Betting Records
- 6-10-1 against the spread (-27.1% ROI)
- 8-9 to the over (-10.3% ROI)
Past Broncos Win Totals
| Season | Win Total | No. of Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 | 7 |
| 2022 | 10 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8.5 | 8 |
Important Broncos Betting Stats
Sean Payton has been pretty kind to bettors throughout his head-coaching career with a record against the spread of 146-125-4. Only Andy Reid, Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy have been a head coach for more regular-season games than Payton.
Payton's quarterback room will not have as much experience this season. Jarrett Stidham is 2-2 as a starter in his career against the spread, while Zach Wilson is 14-18-1.
Broncos Enter Bo Nix Era
Bo Nix is the logical favorite to start under center Week 1 for the Broncos. Denver is clearly very high on Nix, who was drafted 12th overall. Head coach Sean Payton clearly loves Nix, although whether he’s thrown straight into the fire is unknown.
Nix’s competition to start is Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Wilson is probably not going to get the job given his track record of underwhelming play with the Jets. Stidham, though, has shown some impressive arm talent when given chances to start over the past couple of seasons. Whether he can lead a team to the playoffs, though, is a different story.
Nix will enter his rookie season with about as much experience as someone who has never played an NFL game can have. He started 61 games in college between Auburn and Oregon and was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season.
A good training camp and preseason showing should cement Nix as the Broncos’ starting quarterback, although whether he’s the long-term answer remains to be seen.
The problem for the Broncos, though, is that they’re in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and now Jim Harbaugh. There are logical reasons for skepticism that Denver will be able to contend this season with so much uncertainty at quarterback. If Nix turns out to be the answer, though, the Broncos will be in good enough shape.
The rest of the roster is lacking top-end talent. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is one of the best in the NFL, but he can only do so much.
Denver’s win total is 5.5 (-102 / -120). Clearly, the Broncos are supportive of Payton, but this will be his second season with his second starting quarterback, one that he vouched for the team to draft. If Nix falters or the season goes downhill fast, there will be plenty of pressure felt in Denver.
How to Back the Broncos This Season
Denver could be a popular team to fade early in the season, especially coming off a season that saw it go 6-10-1 against the spread. If Nix is named the starter and struggles out of the gate, don’t expect the Broncos to be a popular pick every week.
Expect Denver to be a popular pick to have a high selection in next year’s NFL Draft, which could bring pressure to find another quarterback if their 2024 pick doesn’t deliver.
2024 Broncos Schedule Info
According to Action Network’s Sean Koerner, the Broncos are tied with the Dolphins for the 11th-hardest schedule this season.
Obviously, playing the Chiefs will get a team’s ranking to be pretty high, but Denver also has trips to face the Buccaneers, Ravens and Bengals this season, two of which were playoff teams last season.
Denver's Week 1 Odds & Matchup
For the second time in three seasons, the Broncos will open the regular season in Seattle.
Unlike their 2022 opener, the Broncos are underdogs in Seattle. The Seahawks are laying 4.5 points to Denver with a game total of 42.5 that is tied for the third lowest of the Week 1 slate.
