Denver Broncos: 5 Reasons the Broncos Are 2018’s Sleeper Team

SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Denver Broncos general manager John Elway celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Denver Broncos general manager John Elway celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Bradley Chubb
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Bradley Chubb of NC State poses after being picked #5 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

5. A QB’s Nightmare Come True

I re-lived the Broncos Super Bowl 50 path the other day and it still amazes me how effective the pass rushers were. Tom Brady and Cam Newton faced pressure on every single snap.

If the Broncos aim to become the NFL’s sleeper team in 2018, their pass rush will need to be as advertised.

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Von Miller continues on his warpath towards quarterbacks. He has six 10-sack seasons in his seven-year career.

With the addition of Bradley Chubb, the Broncos have a physical matchup advantage against offensive tackles in 2018.

Opposite of Miller, Chubb’s 6’5″ 265-pound frame makes those two the perfect combination off the edge.

Denver struggled with their pass rush in 2017 following Shane Ray’s wrist injury in training camp. Teams double and triple-teamed Miller, which still wasn’t enough to stop him from getting 10 sacks.

DeMarcus Ware’s return in a consulting role will be tremendous for the Broncos’ pass rushers.

Shaq Barrett and Jeff Holland are two pass rushers that will also play.

Barrett and Holland will see time in different packages as a rush end and outside backer.

Denver has the perfect opportunity to return to glory and winning if their pass rush performs as advertised on paper.

Next: The top 30 Broncos players of all time

If Denver can live up to these elements, they have a great opportunity to be this year’s sleeper team in the NFL.

For the latest news regarding the Denver Broncos, follow @CodyRoarkNFL and @PredomOrange on Twitter.