The Denver Broncos return to the postseason looking to vanquish memories of their humiliating Super Bowl XLVIII defeat two years ago.
Denver boasts arguably the most well-rounded defense in the league, and the strength of this unit will be what propels the club to its third Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
With Peyton Manning looking to ride off into the proverbial sunset with a second championship, the Broncos are poised for true greatness.
Here are three reasons why the Broncos will win Super Bowl 50:
Broncos' defense is impenetrable
Denver finished the season first in total defense and fourth in scoring defense, and possesses arguably the NFL's most balanced unit. With home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Broncos will prove to be impenetrable.
In a pass-heavy era, the Broncos counteracted the dominant offensive trend with two Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, and a future star in Bradley Roby. The Broncos do an excellent job of minimizing the playing field, and it will take a multi-pronged attack to triumph over arguably the best secondary in the NFL.
Denver finished first in the NFL with 52 sacks, a testament to a dominant pass rush led by All-Pro linebacker Von Miller. In the postseason, where quarterback play is inextricably linked to success, the Broncos are better than any team at attacking the passer consistently. With a blistering pass rush, elite secondary, and multiple players that can rotate into the scheme, the Broncos' defense ought to be feared.
Manning's cerebral approach
Peyton Manning returned to the lineup in Week 17, overcoming the ill effects of a lingering foot injury. Although his arm strength is diminishing, Manning's ability to make astute pre-snap reads is unmatched by any player in the history of the game.
Manning threw 17 interceptions, the second-highest total in the league, but it appeared to be symptomatic of the injury that eventually kept him out for six games. Boasting two of the league's premier receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Manning will be in position to attack a number of defenses with his trademark precision.
It hasn't been a banner year for the five-time MVP, but now that he's overcome a lingering injury and remains armed with two elite receivers, the Broncos' passing game will be hitting its peak.
Balanced rushing attack
Denver's 107.4 rushing yards per game ranked 17th in the NFL, but the team's ground game hit top form at the end of the regular season. Ronnie Hillman rushed for a season-high 117 yards in the team's season finale, while C.J. Anderson remained a solid secondary option.
The Broncos' improved rushing attack complements their excellent defense, as they can wear down teams by controlling the time of possession. If the Broncos gain the lead early, they can ride Hillman and Anderson to victory with the defense continuing to baffle even the best of opponents.
