5 reasons Broncos will not repeat as Super Bowl champions

The Denver Broncos enter the offseason as one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LI, but repeating as champions will be no easy task.

For the next few days, the Denver Broncos will deservedly celebrate a well-earned Super Bowl title. Then it will be time to focus on repeating as champs in Super Bowl LI next February.

Denver picked up its third championship in franchise history and first since 1998 with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara. Despite getting basically no production from the quarterback position, the Broncos won by double-digits thanks to a tremendous defensive effort against MVP Cam Newton and the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.

The defense was led by Von Miller and a hellacious pass rush that sacked Newton seven times and forced four turnovers against a team that had the best turnover margin in the league in the regular season. Denver’s defense made its case to be considered one of the all-time greats, with coordinator Wade Phillips deserving plenty of credit for taking the unit to the next level.

With plenty of talent returning on that side of the ball, the Broncos will be among the favorites to win Super Bowl LI. However, repeating in the NFL is extremely difficult, and the challenge may be too great for the 2016 Broncos.

The last team to repeat as Super Bowl champions was the New England Patriots in 2003-2004. Parity has only increased since then, and the Broncos some tough personnel decisions this offseason.

Denver will surely be a very good team again in 2016, and the defense gives them a chance against anyone. Still, a few hurdles will keep them from being back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Next: 5. Tough competition in the AFC