The Denver Broncos are set to begin the 2021 season on Sunday, September 12, and they will do so as slight betting favorites. Denver will be in New York to face the Giants, and the Broncos are currently listed as 1.5-point favorites.
The Broncos could be a team that is in contention for a playoff spot this season, but playing in the AFC West is not going to make things easy. Out of the four teams from that division, three of them are Week 1 betting favorites.
Denver has really struggled to find consistent offense since the retirement of Peyton Manning, but this team has spent plenty of money and resources to improve that unit. The defense should once again be one of the best in the league, especially with the return of linebacker Von Miller to the field.
The New York Giants are not one of the betting favorites to win the NFC East Division this year, but that division does appear to be wide open. New York is led by quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, and those two players could give the Broncos some trouble.
Bridgewater Named Starting QB
The Denver Broncos had an open quarterback competition throughout Training Camp between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Lock has been the starting QB for the Broncos, but the team was able to acquire Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers earlier this season.
Head coach Vic Fangio gave both players plenty of opportunities to succeed in the preseason, and each player played well. It came down to what player Fangio felt more comfortable with, and he decided to go with Bridgewater.
Lock has made 18 starts for the Broncos, but he has also thrown 18 interceptions in those starts. Denver needs a much better attack from its offense this season, and they are hoping that Bridgewater will help to get them off to a faster start.
Rest of the AFC West
The Kansas City Chiefs are the clear betting favorites to win the AFC West Division this season, and they are also favorite to win the Super Bowl. Kansas City hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, and this is a rematch of a playoff game from a season ago.
The Chiefs are six-point favorites at home on September 12, but this should be one of the most entertaining games in Week 1.
Los Angeles is the other AFC West team that is favored in Week 1, but it is by the slimmest of margins. The Chargers are one-point favorites on the road against the Washington Football Team, and this would be an impressive win for Los Angeles if they get it.
The only AFC West team that is not listed as a betting favorite won’t begin the 2021 season until September 13. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to open up new Allegiant Stadium to the fans, and they are currently 4.5-point underdogs to the Baltimore Ravens in that matchup.