Mark Sanchez’s future with the Denver Broncos was decided when he fumbled, not once, but twice inside the San Francisco 15-yard line on August 20th. But that is unlikely to rattle the Broncos whose dazzling defense allowed them to come out ahead as Super Bowl champions last year, this explaining why they hold such favorable ground in the NFL Betting lines.

All signs point to Trevor Siemian taking the reins at this point, though, the future undoubtedly belongs to Paxton Lynch. The comparisons between Lynch and Siemian are quite curious. The problem with Lynch is this: all he has to show at the present is potential.

On the other hand, Siemian’s power, poise, and precision are on display for all to see. The Broncos managed to survive last year’s quarterback conundrum because of the spectacular performance of an amazing supporting cast.

It is because of this supporting cast that the Broncos are still favorites to win despite their quarterback issues; though, they cannot afford to take their eye off the goal, not with Kansas City and Oakland so close to their heels.

The Broncos couldn’t have so easily forgotten their losses against the Raiders and Chiefs, and it took the efforts of players like Manning to stem the tide of a San Diego Chargers assault.

With the departure of Osweiler and Manning, GM John Elway was looking to Colin Kaepernick as a potential solution to the Broncos problems, however, that is no longer a viable option. The fact that the team will face Carolina in September with a pair of quarterbacks that have never thrown a notable pass in the NFL should worry them.

Fortunately for Denver, they have shown time and again that they have what it takes to navigate adversity. The loss of DE Malik Johnson and MLB Danny Trevathan to free agency is unlikely to have hurt them in any way that matters.

And pass rushers like DeMarcus Ware, Shaq Barret, and Von Miller should adequately compensate for the team’s injury issues. Miller, in particular, looked amazing in the limited action he saw this summer.

The Broncos are undoubtedly the team to beat in the new season. Oakland, on the other hand, could do with a helping hand, though they are legitimate contenders for the playoffs.

In signing players like CB Sean Smith and S Reggie Nelson, and drafting the likes of DL Jihad Ward, Oakland hopes to rebuild its defense into something formidable.

Derek Carr will carry the weight of Oakland’s offense; Carr struggled in the second half of the previous season, though, his failings could be imputed to injuries to C Rodney Hudson and WR Amari Cooper.

Kansas City is more than likely preoccupied with LB Justin Houston’s recovery from a surgical procedure to repair a non-functioning ACL. Along with LB Tamba Hali and RB Jamaal Charles’ surgeries, the Chiefs’ injury issues are a cause for concern.

That being said, the Chiefs have never had as much talent under their belt as they do today; and, at the very least, they do not have to deal with the Chargers contractual dispute complications.

Having missed the playoffs last season, the Chargers cannot afford their conflict with Joey Bosa, not when they need him to more effectively compete against their rivals.