The Denver Broncos play a mile above sea level, which gives their home games a unique twist. They also have a history of great quarterbacks and three Super Bowl titles. Here's how to read Broncos odds.
Who the Denver Broncos are
City and stadium
The Broncos were founded in 1960 as an original AFL team and joined the NFL in the 1970 merger. They play at an open-air stadium widely known as Mile High, at an elevation of about 5,280 feet (roughly 1,600 meters). Thin air affects how the ball travels and, many believe, how visiting players handle fatigue.
Famous eras
- The Orange Crush: a famous defense took Denver to Super Bowl XII after the 1977 season.
- John Elway: the Hall of Fame quarterback led the Broncos to several Super Bowls, finally winning Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII after the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
- Peyton Manning and a great defense: Denver won Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season, powered largely by a dominant defense.
Rivalries
The Broncos play in the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders rivalry is old and bitter, and the Chiefs rivalry has been intense across many eras.
How to read odds on Broncos games
Favorite or underdog
Broncos -5.5 (-110), moneyline -240: implied 240 ÷ 340 = 70.6%. Broncos +5.5 with a +195 moneyline: implied 100 ÷ 295 = 33.9%.
Altitude and home advantage
Denver's altitude is one of the most discussed home-field factors in sports. The claims include:
- Visiting players tire faster, especially late in games.
- Kicks travel farther in thin air, which can make long field goals more achievable.
Historically, Denver has been viewed as having one of the stronger home advantages in the NFL, though home advantage across the league has declined over time. The market includes it in the line. See home-field advantage.
Worked example: home vs road line
Suppose the Broncos are rated 1 point better than an AFC West rival on a neutral field.
- If Denver's home edge is valued at 2.5 points: Broncos about -3.5 at home.
- On the road, with the rival's 2-point home edge: Broncos about +1.
That's a 4.5-point swing from venue alone. If you think Denver's altitude edge is underrated or overrated, that's where you'd disagree with the market.
Weather
Denver can see snow early in the fall and big temperature swings. Wind is still the key factor for totals. Thin air may slightly help kicking distance. See weather and outdoor sports.
Early-season vs late-season Denver
Denver's weather is unpredictable. An early-season game can be warm and sunny, while a late-October game can bring snow. Thin air is constant, but wind and cold change. When reading a Broncos home total, check both the forecast and the time of year. Also keep in mind that visiting teams sometimes arrive the day before rather than earlier, and some fans believe late arrival makes the altitude feel tougher. That's a debated idea, so treat it as a small factor.
Season-long markets
AFC West division odds and Broncos win totals are popular. If the over on 8.5 wins is at +110, the implied chance is 100 ÷ 210 = 47.6%. Consider how many of Denver's toughest games are at home, where altitude helps.
What to check before picking Broncos games
- Quarterback status.
- Visiting team's schedule. Are they on a short week or a long trip?
- Weather in Denver, including early snow.
- Kicking game, which matters more when long field goals are realistic.
- AFC West spots, including back-to-back division games.
- The price. See implied probability.
Practice with play money
The Broncos let you test your views on altitude and home advantage. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Broncos games home and away, and see whether venue really changed results. Check the odds page.
FAQ
How high is the Broncos' stadium?
About 5,280 feet, or one mile above sea level, which is why it's known as Mile High.
Does altitude really help the Broncos?
Many people believe altitude adds to Denver's home advantage, especially through fatigue and kicking distance. The market includes this in the line.
How many Super Bowls have the Broncos won?
Three: Super Bowls XXXII, XXXIII and 50.