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NFL Power Rankings: 5 Super Bowl favorites

By Taylor Armosino

Jun 17, 2014; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) watch a scrimmage play during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2014; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) watch a scrimmage play during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Members of the Denver Broncos huddle before the start of organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Members of the Denver Broncos huddle before the start of organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos

Last season, the Broncos finished 15th in defensive DVOA, 19th in yards allowed per game and 22nd in points allowed per game. By all measures, they were average to below average on that side of the ball. This offseason, they improved greatly by adding hard-hitting safety TJ Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib and pass rusher DeMarcus Ware in free agency. Denver also drafted cornerback Courtney Roby in the first round. They’ll be much improved on that side of the ball.

Offensively, it’s still the Peyton Manning show and they will be elite again in 2014. Denver lost Eric Decker to the Jets, but they’ve still got DeMaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Julius Thomas and second round pick Cody Lattimer. They’ll be just fine in the passing game. It’ll be interesting to see how their running back situation unfolds and whether Montee Ball can grab that spot by the horns. He was inconsistent, to say the least, in 2013.

Despite getting throttled in the Super Bowl, Denver was pretty clearly the best team in the AFC last season. Barring an injury to Manning, that should be the case again this season.

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