The odds and expectations were stacked high the moment the final whistle blew at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 7. The Broncos, now Super Bowl champions, had quashed the doubters and proven again that, yes, defense really can win championships.
But with the title comes the inherent belief that they won’t do it again. That their roster will be pared. That their talent will flee in free agency. That the perfect storm required to win it all won’t roll through a second year in a row.
The belief has history on its side; only eight teams have gone back-to-back, with the Patriots and the John Elway-led Broncos being the past two.