San Francisco 49ers fans might be elated that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has signed a contract extension, but they might not know that they have the Denver Broncos to thank.
The 49ers were trying to trade Aiyuk before they offered the extension, and they had a three-team deal on the table with Denver and Pittsburgh.
San Francisco would have sent Aiyuk to the Steelers for a second- and a third-round pick, and then sent the third-round pick to Denver in exchange for wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
However, all sources indicate that the 49ers actually preferred to have Aiyuk stay in town, which should solidify positive impressions of the San Francisco offense in the sports betting world.
Now the Broncos retain Sutton as they enter a new round of rebuilding with Oregon product Bo Nix as the starting quarterback.
NFL Betting Analysis: Top Regular Season Matchups for the Denver Broncos
Let’s look at some of the top games on the Broncos’ regular-season slate.
Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints, Week 7
This Thursday night affair is just one of two prime-time games on the Denver slate. Sean Payton, who coached the Saints to their only world championship, returns to coach for the Broncos here for the first time.
Payton had the Saints in the playoffs nine different seasons, and his coaching staff and roster also have a lot of former Saints.
Sean’s former DC, Dennis Allen, is now the head coach, and one-time Raider Derek Carr is the Saints’ quarterback.
Some of Payton’s earlier draft picks, such as cornerback Marshon Lattimore and tailback Alvin Kamara, are still with the Saints.
Neither one of these teams figures to be a contender, but the emotions for this game will be high.
^L.A. Chargers at Denver Broncos, Week 6
The Chargers now have Jim Harbaugh as their head coach, making this one of the more interesting matchups between elite head coaches.
Bo Nix and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert both stared at Oregon in college.
Denver actually has won three in a row over the Chargers and five in a row in the rivalry at home.
The Chargers are ahead of the Broncos as far as the rebuild arc is concerned, but they haven’t been able to turn that advantage into wins.
^Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, Week 18
Denver beat Kansas City for the first time since 2015 in the home matchup in this AFC West series, and they could do it again this year, especially if the Chiefs already have their postseason positioning wrapped up and decide to rest their starters.
If the Broncos are somewhere in the playoff picture going into Week 18, that could make this matchup meaningful for the first time in years.
^Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, Week 2
Russell Wilson spent two seasons as the Broncos’ starting quarterback before Denver decided on the rebuild and shipped Wilson to the Steelers.
Wilson’s time in Pittsburgh may be short, as the team also added Justin Fields to the quarterback room.
This is the Broncos’ home opener, and they will face a Pittsburgh team that always makes defense a priority.
Can Nix negotiate the tricky defense and win his home debut? It will be interesting to see.
^Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks, Week 1
Two years ago, Denver also opened the season in Seattle, but that game was Russell Wilson’s debut with the Broncos after spending his entire career before that as a Seahawk.
The Seahawks have one-time Baltimore DC Mike Macdonald as their head coach after the retirement of Pete Carroll, so we will also see what has to be a major shift in coaching style and focus.
Even though Wilson is no longer in Denver, the challenge of opening the regular season on the road in front of a Seattle crowd that is almost always raucous will let us see in the early going how Payton and Nix have worked together to improve the offense.
^When 1️⃣8️⃣ had 7️⃣ 🤯#Kickoff2024 🔜pic.twitter.com/JRRHCLNw8b
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 30, 2024
Super Bowl 59 Betting Odds For Today
Bet NFL Football Lines in Xbet Sportsbook
Denver Broncos Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines for Regular Season
