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DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos have gotten off to their best start in a decade. Only two field goals for a total of six points in two losses separate the Broncos from a perfect 8-0 record. Technically speaking, the Broncos have still led every game with time left on the clock in the fourth quarter, but two walk-off field goals blemished the Broncos' record. Head coach Sean Payton was vocal during the preseason about his belief in the team to win a Super Bowl this year. After eight games, with the Broncos posting a 6-2 record and sitting on top of the once Kansas City Chiefs-dominated AFC West, do bettors believe in the Broncos as much as Payton? Three different analyses from three different oddsmakers had the same top 10 teams for the most part, with only one or two teams towards the lower end being swapped out. However, among those in the middle of the pack, positions varied for all, besides the Broncos, who came in at No. 8 in every table. Other teams also held their same spot, but those were towards the higher end, which isn't as murky as teams around the middle, who might have a glaring issue to deal with, or are great one week and not so great the next — meaning their ceiling could be to win the Super Bowl or their floor, to get knocked out in the Wild Card round or earlier. Some of the teams have not played as many games as the Broncos so far, with the Broncos sitting at a 6-2 record, which is around the same as many of the teams listed above, or what can be expected for most after the teams catch up in games played. One of the most interesting parts of the ranking is the Chiefs' stranglehold at the top. The Chiefs trail the Broncos in the AFC West, with a 4-3 record compared to the Broncos' 6-2. Despite sitting in third place in the division, the Chiefs' championship pedigree obviously carries weight with analysts. In the nine remaining games for the Broncos, the team will face off against these top 10 teams three times, two of which come against the Chiefs — each its own litmus test against a Super Bowl-caliber team.
